Nokia has opened its first research and development center in Saudi Arabia, located in Riyadh, according to a company statement. The center will focus on developing AI-powered network automation and orchestration software for customers in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

The facility will specialize in Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps technologies, targeting automation and energy efficiency in communications networks. Teams at the center will also work on AI-native 6G technologies.

The opening follows an agreement reached earlier this year between Saudi Arabia's Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard.

Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said the center "will contribute to localizing advanced research and development capabilities, developing national talent in AI and software, and creating technologies made in Saudi Arabia that can serve global markets."

Mikko Lavanti, President of Nokia's Middle East and Africa division, said the Riyadh center will "bring Nokia's global expertise together with Saudi talent to develop AI-powered automation that makes networks more autonomous, efficient and responsive."

The center will offer engineering and research roles along with training programs, boot camps, and AI and automation certifications for Saudi nationals. Nokia stated the initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, the government's economic diversification program.

Nokia (HELSINKI: NOKIA) is headquartered in Finland and operates across fixed, mobile, and optical network infrastructure markets.