Around 300 graphic designers, artists and data science experts from 50 countries used artificial intelligence to create various works of art in a 3-day competition held in Riyadh last week.

In teams of 3, participants were given 48 hours to complete their projects in an AI Artathon which the Kingdom held for the first time.

The Saudi Artathon is just one event in a growing market of AI art where artists create work with the help of AI tools and data.

Hoping his project will make it to the next round, Syrian electronic engineer and artist Majd Eldeen, believes the future of design is for those ready to experiment with combining Artificial intelligence with art. “Those able to combine both will have a place in the future and will be able to compete well in the job market with new ideas,” Eldeen said.

Organised by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the Artathon is part of the Kingdom’s Global AI Summit, set to kick off in March of this year.

The teams who qualify to the next round, will be working on their concepts and designs until the Global AI Summit.

“There was a lot of stress, but thank God, the best feeling was knowing we qualified, because we knew our hard work was not in vain, Thank God, and our work was qualified for the second level,” said Norah Al Ashmawle, whose team qualified for the next round.

The top ten winning teams will then have their art works displayed at an exhibition during the Global AI Summit.

“AI can be used to help enhance the efficiency of governments and businesses and improve people’s quality of life in general”

Sotam Al Sobaie, Supervising Committee Member, Global AI Summit

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