A team of Software Engineering students showcased an AI-enabled virtual reality (VR) training system at the World Defense Show (WDS 2026) in Riyadh on February 12, demonstrating an end-to-end pipeline that combines AI-generated scenarios with immersive VR training across air, land, and sea contexts. WDS brings together global stakeholders focused on defense technology development and integration.
Developed over a year at Alfaisal University’s AI Research Center, in collaboration with the Prince Sultan Defense Studies and Research Center (PSDSARC), the project demonstrates how software engineering methods translate into practitioner-facing prototypes shaped through iterative feedback. The student team—Saleh Alkhattaf, Suliman Alhammad, Fayez Algusaibi, Naif Almubarak, Abdullah Bin Salamah, and Mohanad Attiah—are Software Engineering students in the College of Engineering and Advanced Computing. The project was co-supervised by Dr. Areej Al-Wabil, Director of the AI Center, and Dr. Randa Almomen, Deputy Director.
The system follows a two-stage workflow: AI first generates structured training scenarios defining objectives, conditions, and key elements, which are then deployed in a VR environment where trainees rehearse procedures and decision-making in a controlled setting. By separating scenario design from simulation delivery, the team enabled faster updates, testing, and expansion. Using large language models (LLMs), the system supports scenario variation while maintaining instructional intent across different operational domains.
Presenting at WDS allowed students to engage with domain experts, whose feedback informed refinements in scenario clarity, usability, performance metrics, and the balance between realism, safety, and cognitive load.
“This kind of real-world engagement is central to the educational value of capstone experiences,” said Dr. Areej Al-Wabil. “A year-long capstone format allows students to define problems with stakeholders, validate ideas with evidence, and revisit decisions through iterative prototyping.”
Dr. Randa Almomen added, “The phases of build, test, learn, and refine are difficult to simulate in short projects but become natural in sustained capstone and research work with authentic external engagement.”
The showcase highlighted how Alfaisal University’s advanced computing programs and applied AI research create opportunities for students to build solutions grounded in real operational needs. The project was supported by PSDSARC, enabling a full-year development cycle and industry-facing validation. For more information on ongoing initiatives, visit ai.alfaisal.edu.
