The AI+X™ System

AI+X™ is a comprehensive initiative designed to equip every undergraduate student with essential artificial intelligence (AI) skills, regardless of their chosen major.

Students begin with foundational AI coursework before advancing into their selected academic programs, ensuring they gain firsthand exposure to AI applications that enhance their field of study.

AI today is transforming industries, research, and societal systems. Just as mathematics became indispensable to science and engineering, AI is taking on the same role in technology and other emerging fields. By embedding AI education within our undergraduate degree framework, we prepare students to understand, develop, and apply such technologies in practical and impactful ways.

Building a Strong AI Foundation

Students start their journey with a structured sequence of courses that establish the foundations of AI and machine learning, taken alongside their major studies. These include:

1. Introduction to Programming in Python and C

   Early in their academic journey, KFUPM students gain proficiency in two core programming languages widely used in AI development. Python simplifies data handling and accelerates model creation through powerful libraries, while C provides speed and efficiency, making it beneficial for performance-critical AI systems.

2. Introduction to Data Science

   As part of our many data science university courses, this introductory class teaches students how to collect, organize, and interpret data to surface actionable insights. They learn techniques to define project scopes, clean and transform datasets, and use modern tools that are central to AI and data analytics.

3. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

   Students explore the foundations of AI, examining its capabilities, limitations, and possibilities. The course is designed to reveal emerging trends and prepare students to act on opportunities presented by the next generation of AI technologies.

4. Business & Entrepreneurship

   This course focuses on developing an entrepreneurial mindset by showing students how AI is impacting business models and operations. It addresses the tendency to view AI only as a technical tool, instead highlighting how it can unlock unrealized potential and drive innovation across industries.

Advancing AI Capabilities in Saudi Arabia

KFUPM is committed to forming future-ready graduates who contribute to national and global economies. By requiring all undergraduate students to complete AI-focused coursework, we aim to graduate 10,000 AI-skilled professionals by 2030, directly supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision and the goals set by the National Center for Artificial Intelligence.

Our artificial intelligence research center, in collaboration with the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), develops solutions that address real-world challenges across academia and industry. Through research partnerships, we acknowledge the ethical and practical complexities of AI while helping define best practices that are beneficial for sustainable innovation.

KFUPM is also the first university in Saudi Arabia to launch ChatGPT Edu in partnership with OpenAI. This initiative integrates AI tools into classrooms and research environments, enhancing research efforts and enabling students to focus on higher-level problem-solving and creativity.

Expanding Undergraduate Education

KFUPM’s AI+X™ System prepares students to think critically, act responsibly, and leverage AI to create meaningful impact. For those seeking to deepen their expertise, we offer plenty of opportunities to specialize further, such as through artificial intelligence master’s programs and related technical concentrations (CX). These project-driven pathways provide the chance to apply AI knowledge in complex contexts and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.