Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior, in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, has announced the launch of the world's largest hackathon, 'Absher Tuwaiq,' scheduled for tomorrow in Riyadh. The event will take place from December 11 to 13 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center, as part of the Absher Conference 2025 held under the patronage of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this hackathon is the largest globally in terms of participant numbers and offers cash prizes totaling SAR1,000,000. These prizes include three seats in the MVPLAB product program sponsored by the National Technology Development Program, aimed at supporting the development of winning projects and transforming them into viable products. The hackathon will unite national talent and expertise from across the Kingdom to create prototypes and technological solutions that contribute to advancing various national digital innovations across numerous sectors.
Official spokesperson for the Absher Conference Tariq Al-Humaid said that the hackathon will feature technical experts and mentors specializing in various fields of technology and digital transformation. These experts will provide guidance and mentorship to participants throughout the event, along with sessions and workshops led by local and international experts in artificial intelligence, data, engineering, and government service design. The hackathon aims to empower national talent, including employees, students, graduates, and others interested in technology and innovation, giving them the opportunity to apply their skills in a competitive environment and helping to build national digital capabilities capable of developing high-quality solutions that serve the government sector.
Al-Humaid pointed out that the hackathon is a key component of the 'Absher Tuwaiq' initiative within the Absher Conference, offering opportunities through seven technical tracks that encompass more than 250 specialized programs in collaboration with 20 local and international partners, including global names such as NVIDIA, Meta, Google Cloud, and Huawei. The goal is to build exceptional national capabilities and support innovation in technology and digital transformation, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Interior places great importance on developing and empowering national technical capabilities and expressed pride that all participants in the world's largest hackathon are Saudi nationals.
The Absher Conference 2025 is held in partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Tuwaiq Academy, and sponsored by Elm Company. It features a new concept and innovative approach designed to enhance its role in enabling the government system to keep pace with global developments in technology and digital transformation.