Saudi tech giants band together, critics cry foul
Etihad Salam has become a member of the Saudi Arabia Quantum Network Consortium, a groundbreaking program overseen by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology via its Saudi Research & Innovation Network known as MAEEN. The consortium unites international technology companies such as Microsoft, CISCO and Cyberani with regional partners to build quantum-resistant communication systems throughout Saudi Arabia. Ahmed al Anqari, who serves as chief executive of Etihad Salam, said the collaboration represents a major milestone in advancing the nation’s quantum technology goals while protecting its digital independence through combined expertise from worldwide innovators and domestic organizations.
The program directly supports Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting technological advancement, economic diversity and knowledge economy growth. Etihad Salam will help develop Quantum Key Distribution systems, sophisticated encryption methods and quantum communications networks designed to safeguard sensitive information against future quantum computing risks.
Al Anqari noted that the worldwide quantum communications sector could grow to $15 billion by 2035, highlighting why early action matters. Saudi Arabia is proactively preparing for post-quantum cryptography demands by working through the consortium to ensure national readiness as digital requirements continue changing rapidly.
