Nokia has opened a new research and development centre in Riyadh focused on using AI to make communications networks more automated and reliable.
The centre will develop software designed to help networks configure themselves, identify and fix problems, improve performance and reduce energy consumption with less human intervention.
Alongside this, the centre will focus on Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organising Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps, technologies that help automate network operations and improve energy efficiency.
According to the telecoms giant, teams at the new centre will develop AI-powered solutions for communications service providers and businesses in Saudi Arabia.
They will also explore AI-native technologies for future 6G networks and contribute “Made in Saudi” software innovations for Nokia customers worldwide.
The company said the initiative will help build local expertise, strengthen Saudi Arabia’s research and development capabilities and increase the country’s contribution to the global technology industry.
Meanwhile, the centre will focus on developing Saudi talent, with Nokia planning to create engineering and research roles alongside training programmes, boot camps and certifications in AI and automation.
Nokia President of Middle East and Africa, Mikko Lavanti, said: Aligned with the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda, the centre will create high-value engineering and research roles while offering advanced training programs, bootcamps, and AI and automation certifications for Saudi talent.
“The initiative supports national objectives to build local expertise, strengthen innovation capacity and increase the country’s contribution to the global technology ecosystem.”
Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in Saudi Arabia, added: “The opening of Nokia’s new research and development centre represents a strategic step toward strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for intelligent network technology innovation and reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge and innovation-driven digital economy.
“The centre will contribute to localising advanced research and development capabilities, developing national talent in AI and software, and creating technologies made in Saudi Arabia that can serve global markets.”
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