Saudi Communications Minister Discusses Expanding AI, Quantum Computing Partnerships in France

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha held a series of high-level meetings in Paris with senior executives from leading global technology, gaming and quantum computing companies to explore expanded partnerships, knowledge transfer and capability development for the Kingdom. During the visit Alswaha met with Ubisoft CEO and Co‑Founder Yves Guillemot, Sony Group CEO Hiroki Totoki, Riot Games CEO Dylan Jadeja, Electronic Arts Chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson, Thales Group Chairman and CEO Patrice Caine, and visited Pasqal’s headquarters where he met CEO Dr. Wasiq Bokhari and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Talal, Chairman of the Board of Pasqal Arabia. He also held talks with Advanced Machine Intelligence Co‑Founder Laurent Solly.

“The unwavering support of the Saudi leadership has been instrumental in shaping an inspiring national success story in technology and the digital economy,” Alswaha said, framing the meetings as part of a broader push to position the Kingdom as a global hub for artificial intelligence, electronic gaming and advanced technologies.

Alswaha’s meetings focused on several concrete objectives: expanding high‑impact partnerships, facilitating knowledge transfer, developing national capabilities and empowering Saudi developers and content creators to build globally competitive experiences and intellectual property. With gaming executives — including Yves Guillemot, Hiroki Totoki, Dylan Jadeja and Andrew Wilson — he discussed “the use of AI in developing the gaming, entertainment, and content industries” and approaches to nurture Saudi talent and developer ecosystems that can compete on the world stage.

In discussions with Patrice Caine of Thales, the minister addressed the security dimensions of deploying AI, stressing data protection and the development of national capabilities in advanced technologies. The engagement builds on an existing partnership between Thales and the Kingdom that the minister noted spans more than five decades.

At Pasqal’s Paris laboratories Alswaha reviewed advanced quantum computing platforms alongside Dr. Wasiq Bokhari and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Talal. The delegation discussed plans to expand the presence of quantum computing technologies in Saudi Arabia, integrate quantum capabilities with AI projects, and develop domestic talent pools able to work at the intersection of the two fields.

• Visits and meetings targeted AI adoption in gaming and digital content, AI security and data protection, and quantum computing deployment.
• Executives engaged included leaders from Ubisoft, Sony Group, Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Thales and Pasqal, plus Advanced Machine Intelligence’s Laurent Solly.
• Discussions emphasized knowledge transfer, national capability building and empowering Saudi researchers and developers.

Alswaha framed the Paris programme within a strategic national agenda: “Saudi Arabia is advancing with a clear ambition to lead the AI era,” he said, pointing to infrastructure, talent development and an investment ecosystem intended to convert innovation into Saudi products and companies. The minister’s remarks indicate an immediate priority to translate these bilateral and industry engagements into targeted programmes — from training and R&D collaboration to pilot projects that integrate quantum computing with AI — that can be deployed in support of the Kingdom’s long‑term technology goals.