AI Capability & Digital Transformation Leader
Skills
Development Expert
Transformation
Expert
Architect
Consultant to SDAIA, Saudi Arabia’s Data & AI Authority. Four national platforms delivered for the Kingdom — from AI capability building to Hajj crowd management.
National Platforms. Kingdom-Scale Impact.
I have led the technical development and delivery of national platforms supporting some of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious priorities—from AI capability initiatives designed to reach one million Saudis to systems that enabled the scheduling and movement of more than two million pilgrims during Hajj.
SAMAI
Technical HeadOne of the world’s most ambitious national AI literacy initiatives — equipping one million Saudis with practical AI skills.
1M+ target learners →
AthkaX
Technical HeadSDAIA Academy’s national learning & training platform (LMS/TMS), launched at the national level of Saudi Arabia.
National academy platform →TTafweej
Technical Head & CTOPilgrim-scheduling platform for Hajj 2019–2023 under the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah — first successful scheduling of 2M+ pilgrims, recognized among the Kingdom’s best digital transformation projects.
2M+ pilgrims scheduled →NNaqaba
Technical ConsultantNational transport-syndicate platform (Syndicate of Cars) supporting nationwide pilgrim-transport operations.
Nationwide transport →National Frameworks & Standards
The credentials, competency frameworks and standards behind the platforms. Each track is defined and assessed on its own terms — the research path on a portfolio of research, recognition and impact; each practitioner role on its own domain-specific examination.
AI Researcher Badges
Initiative LeadNational credential for the AI research track. Awarded on research output, professional recognition, innovation and community service — a portfolio-based evaluation, not an exam.
AI Practitioner Badges
Initiative LeadThe applied track. The AI Engineer and Data Scientist roles each have their own domain, competency framework and examination — assessed by exam, unlike the research path.
National Occupation Framework
ContributorMapping AI and data roles to formally defined occupations with standardised competency profiles.
Academic Framework (AI & Data)
ContributorAligning academic programmes with national AI and data competency standards and pathways.
Dr. FAIZAN
REHMAN
+966 58 316 6740
faizanurrehman@gmail.com
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
I am a technology executive, researcher and national capability-building specialist with more than 18 years of experience delivering digital platforms, applied innovation and large-scale transformation initiatives.”. My passion lies in creating cutting-edge national-level platforms that push beyond traditional development by seamlessly integrating research and innovation. I have delivered four national-level platforms for the Kingdom — SAMAI, AthkaX, Tafweej, and Naqaba. I have been honored with numerous awards at both national and international levels, with one of my platforms even being nominated as the best digital transformation project in Saudi Arabia.
I’ve Worked With:
My Experience
April 2023 – Present
Consultant
SDAIA
March 2021 – April 2023
CTO and Co-Founder
FirstCity
March 2019 – December 2022
TeCHnical Consultant
Ministry of Haj and Umrah
My Education
PhD
University of Grenoble Alpes
Grenoble, France
Masters
Jamia Hamdard (Gold Medalist)
Delhi, India
Bachelors
Jamia Hamdard
Delhi, India
The Evidence Behind the Work
Two decades of peer-reviewed research, granted patents and national and international awards underpinning the platforms above.
Let’s build capability at scale
I work with government entities, universities and technology partners on national AI platforms, capability-building programmes and large-scale crowd-management systems. If that overlaps with what you’re building, I’d be glad to talk.