Lenovo Names Dr. Rabeah Alzaidy to Lead Saudi Arabia R&D Initiatives
Lenovo has appointed Dr. Rabeah Alzaidy to lead its Research & Development (R&D) initiatives in Saudi Arabia, as the company expands its investment in local innovation, artificial intelligence and technology development. The appointment adds to Lenovo’s growing presence in the Kingdom, which includes investments in its regional headquarters, manufacturing operations, talent development and innovation initiatives. The company says its R&D activities will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions by promoting local research, innovation and collaboration across the technology ecosystem.
Dr. Alzaidy brings more than 15 years of experience spanning artificial intelligence, research and technology innovation. She holds a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and completed postdoctoral research at Penn State and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), along with Executive Leadership training at the University of California, Berkeley.
Her previous roles include Assistant Professor of Computer Science at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), strategic project leadership at Aramco, and work as a Research Consultant for the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at SDAIA. More recently, she held leadership positions at Lucid Motors and HUMAIN, where she worked on AI strategy and R&D across emerging technology areas.
In her new role, Dr. Alzaidy will lead Lenovo’s R&D initiatives in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on expanding local innovation capabilities and strengthening partnerships with universities, researchers, industry partners and Lenovo’s global technology teams. The company said the initiative will also support the development of technologies designed in Saudi Arabia for regional and international 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 worked on AI initiatives including open-source Arabic large language models, AI-powered reservoir mapping technologies and solutions for mobility, energy and industrial applications.
