The Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) hosted a meeting between several AI specialists at SDAIA and art experts from the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) to discuss a project on the future of visual arts in light of the ongoing advancement of AI uses and technologies and review the global Artathon initiative that SDAIA presented to creative and innovative artists worldwide.
During the meeting at SDAIA headquarters, AI specialists and art experts discussed the connection between AI technologies and audio, visual, and other fine arts, and explored the way these technologies can be in service of arts to generate new masterpieces that are no less creative than human artworks. They also reviewed the Artathon initiative and its future prospect.
The European experts were highly appreciative of the initiative and were impressed by the way it enabled innovative artists worldwide to present their artistic talents and creative artworks using AI technologies.
The Artathon, one of SDAIA's knowledge initiatives, came in line with the cultural character of the Kingdom. Moreover, the Artathon was integrated with the artistic side to reflect artistic concepts that draw knowledge from the Saudi culture, especially in: natural heritage, heritage and archaeological sites, social heritage, and visual arts.
The EUNIC delegation included French experts who closely viewed SDAIA's rich experience in the Artathon, the first edition of which was launched in 2021 with the participation of 60 countries and 300 artists, AI experts, and data scientists to compete in creating the best works of visual arts using AI technologies.
This step highlights SDAIA's interest in AI technologies and their uses and enhances its role in spreading knowledge of their importance as the national reference for these technologies in the Kingdom. Most importantly, it underlines the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA's Board of Directors, who sponsors creative artists and helps them develop their creative skills and enrich their knowledge of AI technologies.
The Artathon initiative, which is one of the Global AI Summit outcomes organized by SDAIA, managed to bring together in its two versions those interested in interactive art, framed art, volumetric art, and music with data, AI, and visual arts experts from the Kingdom and abroad to compete and create the best AI artworks.
The Artathon included four AI-based tracks; interactive AI art, framed AI art, volumetric AI art, and AI music. In the end, three winners were awarded during the Global AI Summit held in September 2022.