Appointment strengthens Lenovo’s commitment to developing local innovation capabilities, accelerating AI research, and supporting Saudi Arabia’s growing technology ecosystem
DUBAI: Lenovo today announced the appointment of Dr. Rabeah Alzaidy to lead the company’s Research & Development (R&D) initiatives in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing Lenovo’s commitment to advancing innovation, artificial intelligence, and technology development in the Kingdom.
The appointment marks another milestone in Lenovo’s growing investment in Saudi Arabia, complementing the company’s expanding presence across regional headquarters, manufacturing, talent development, and innovation. As Lenovo continues to strengthen its contribution to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions, the R&D function will play a critical role in fostering local innovation, accelerating cutting-edge research, and strengthening collaboration with the Kingdom’s growing technology ecosystem.
Dr. Alzaidy brings more than 15 years of experience in artificial intelligence, research, and technology innovation. She holds a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and completed postdoctoral research at both Penn State and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), as well as Executive Leadership training at the University of California, Berkeley. She also served as Assistant Professor of Computer Science at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), managed strategic projects for Aramco, led strategic AI initiatives as a Research Consultant for the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) in SDAIA, and most recently held leadership roles at Lucid Motors and HUMAIN, where she drove AI strategy and research and development initiatives across emerging technology domains.
Dr. Alzaidy will lead Lenovo’s R&D initiatives in Saudi Arabia, helping expand the company’s local innovation capabilities and strengthen collaboration with universities, researchers, industry partners, and Lenovo’s global technology teams. Her appointment supports Lenovo’s ambition to contribute to the Kingdom’s growing research ecosystem while accelerating the development of technologies designed in Saudi Arabia for regional and global markets.
“Over the past year, Lenovo has been turning its long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia into tangible investments across manufacturing, talent development, and innovation.” Said Tareq Alangari, SVP & President, META. “We are very pleased to have Dr. Rabeah join Lenovo, her track record across research, government, and industry makes her uniquely positioned to help build world-class R&D capabilities in the Kingdom and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role in the future of global technology innovation.”
“Lenovo’s global Hybrid AI strategy is about bringing together the best of our R&D, technology portfolio, and ecosystem partnerships to deliver AI that is practical, scalable, and meaningful for customers and communities,” said Dr. Tolga Kurtoglu, Chief Technology Officer, Lenovo. “Saudi Arabia is an incredibly exciting market for innovation, and I am delighted that we are able to bring Lenovo’s global R&D capabilities to the Kingdom and the wider region. I am especially pleased to welcome Dr. Rabeah Alzaidy to my organization. Her leadership, experience, and deep understanding of the local innovation ecosystem will be instrumental as we grow our R&D presence and deepen our contribution to the Kingdom’s technology ambitions.”
Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Rabeah Alzaidy said: “Saudi Arabia is creating one of the world’s most dynamic environments for technology innovation, and I am excited to join Lenovo at a time when research and development have an increasingly important role to play in the Kingdom’s transformation. I look forward to helping strengthen the connection between research, industry, and talent development, while contributing to the growth of Lenovo’s innovation capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Together, we have an opportunity to accelerate impactful AI and emerging technology research, support the next generation of innovators, and develop solutions that address real-world challenges across industries and communities. By building strong local R&D partnerships and fostering innovation talent, we can contribute to a more resilient and competitive technology ecosystem for the Kingdom and beyond.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Alzaidy has contributed to pioneering work in artificial intelligence, including the development of open-source Arabic large language models, AI-powered reservoir mapping technologies, and advanced solutions supporting mobility, energy, and industrial applications
