The Saudi Media Forum announced on 27 October 2026 that Microsoft has joined the judging panel for the third Saudi Media Innovation Bootcamp (Saudi MIB), represented by Zainab Al-Amin. The announcement concerns the evaluation of projects developing AI-powered media solutions.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the bootcamp involves more than 300 participants from over 25 countries. An 11-member jury is assessing projects to select those to be developed and presented at the Saudi Media Forum 2027.

Three areas of AI-driven media innovation

The projects cover AI-enhanced journalism, intelligent content and virtual presenters. Microsoft’s inclusion is an update to the judging stage, rather than an announcement of a new registration window.

The official bootcamp programme identifies this edition as part of the Saudi Media Forum 2027. The current project assessment therefore precedes the forum itself; the forum’s official website lists 1–3 February 2027 for the forthcoming edition.

Image: Microsoft sign in an archival photograph from Future Decoded 2019, not the current bootcamp. Source: Microsoft — Used with permission from Microsoft.