RIYADH — The 8th International Conference on Women in Data Science Worldwide (WiDS PSU 2025) kicked off at Prince Sultan University (PSU) in Riyadh on Sunday. The two-day conference is organized by PSU, in collaboration with Stanford University, as part of its strategic initiative to demonstrate its commitment to Saudi Vision 2030. The conference features the participation of distinguished local and international experts, as well as prominent women leaders in higher education, industry, and scientific research. The speakers underscored the need to further boost women empowerment in the ongoing digital transformation. The conference was organized by AIDA lab as a prominent knowledge platform to showcase women's accomplishments in data science, engineering, and computer science, with the inspiring slogan of"Empowering Women: Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability and Gender Inclusiveness." In his opening statement, PSU President Dr. Ahmed Yamani highlighted that collaboration with Stanford University is part of an ambitious vision to advance scientific knowledge and foster innovation. He emphasized that women today are not only integral to the landscape of transformation, but they also lead as decision-makers and drivers of change in the fields of artificial intelligence and sustainability. Dr. Ahmed stated that Saudi women have moved beyond merely breaking down barriers; they are now leaders in technology, research, and leadership roles, thanks to strategic reforms and effective empowerment programs. He expressed pride in mentoring four women in the university's research laboratories and highlighted the AIDA lab's role as a center for innovation and creativity. Dr. Heba Khoshaim, Vice President of the Women's Campus at the university and chair of the Executive Committee for the Conference, expressed her pride in Saudi Arabia achieving a top global ranking in empowering women in artificial intelligence. This achievement was reported in the Stanford University 2025 Artificial Intelligence Index. Dr. Heba highlighted that 43 researchers from PSU were recognized in the Stanford 2024 ranking as being among the top 2% of scientists worldwide. Additionally, she noted that 6 out of the 24 laboratories and research groups at the university were led by women, demonstrating a supportive academic environment that promotes empowerment and equality. S also announced the launch of the "Motivator for Female Researchers in Their Early Careers," a year-long research training program designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of female researchers at the early stages of their scientific careers. The WiDS PSU 2025 event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers who shared strategic insights into the future of data science and the pivotal role of women in leadership within the field. One of the highlights was Elaine Grunewald, President of Tonomus Venture Studio and Chief Sustainability Officer at NEOM, who discussed how data science can foster sustainable innovation. Bathina Al-Wahibi, Director of Partnerships at Cisco, addressed the impact of big data on the development of digital strategies. Additionally, Helene Panova, Head of Ecosystems at NEOM, and Atheer Almogbil, Lead Principal Investigator at the Cybersecurity Institute at KACST, contributed their insights. The event featured the announcement of the winners of the "Innovate Spark Challenge," a competition that showcased innovative youth projects in the fields of artificial intelligence and technology. In concluding remarks, Dr. Ahmed Yamani encouraged collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and borders. "Let's continue working together to create a future where everyone can lead, innovate, and contribute to the world of artificial intelligence, data science, and beyond." With this vision, Prince Sultan University has reinforced its position as a regional and international center of excellence in supporting women and has taken an active role in building a sustainable and inclusive digital future.
