King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology Partners with UC Berkeley to Advance Research and Innovation
Today, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) signed a strategic partnership agreement with the University of California, Berkeley, to bolster research and technological collaboration in the fields of advanced materials and artificial intelligence applications. This significant agreement coincides with the official visit of President Donald J. Trump to Saudi Arabia and aims to establish a strong alliance with one of the world’s leading research universities.
The primary goal of this partnership is to enhance national capabilities through the execution of joint programs encompassing research, development, innovation, and training. These initiatives will contribute to elevating Saudi Arabia’s status as a regional hub for science and technology and will facilitate the swift adoption of future technologies.
The partnership will focus on integrating artificial intelligence techniques into advanced materials development projects, expediting their discovery and design processes. Additionally, it will implement an annual national training program for undergraduate and graduate students on how to utilize artificial intelligence tools for material discovery. This initiative includes organizing specialized workshops for high school students at UC Berkeley laboratories and sending a number of postdoctoral researchers annually to engage in collaborative research at the university.
This collaboration aims to advance the design and exploration of advanced materials using artificial intelligence, data science, materials simulation technologies, and advanced digital analysis. The partnership will also lead to the creation of specialized databases that can significantly speed up the digital exploration of materials. Furthermore, it will encourage innovation and entrepreneurship by establishing startups in the field of artificial intelligence for advanced materials, thereby enhancing economic diversity and supporting local content.
This agreement extends the existing cooperation between KACST and UC Berkeley, which has already yielded significant results, notably the establishment of a Joint Nanomaterials and Clean Energy Applications Center in 2014. This center focuses on developing innovative materials for clean energy applications, creating prototypes for carbon capture technologies, and moisture harvesting from the air at low humidity levels. A notable outcome of past collaborative research has been the transformation of several applied research projects into startups that contribute to the national economy.
Additionally, this partnership has led to the launch of a national capacity-building program centered on metal-organic frameworks, aimed at training national competencies in the latest technologies within this promising field. To date, the collaboration has produced 85 joint scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals, including a significant article in Nature discussing the efficacy of organic framework materials in capturing carbon dioxide from the air. The research agenda also encompasses pioneering studies in generative artificial intelligence for materials chemistry, incorporating data mining and chemical image analysis, and has resulted in several patented inventions.
This partnership represents a leading model for transforming scientific research outputs into promising industrial and economic opportunities, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The collaboration is particularly relevant to developments within the energy sector, the circular carbon economy, and advanced manufacturing.
By fostering these initiatives, KACST and UC Berkeley will not only enhance the educational and research landscapes of both institutions but also contribute significantly to the growth of a knowledge-based economy in Saudi Arabia. The partnership underscores a commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and advancing technological frontiers that are vital for the future of both regions.
