- Efforts led by Saudi Arabia's Data and Artificial Intelligence Bureau
- The Kingdom has “foreign leadership,” Academic tells Arab News
Rashid Hassan
Riyadh: The kingdom has emerged as a global leader in data and artificial intelligence in just six years, the Saudi Arabian news agency reported on Wednesday.
This transformation has been at the forefront of Saudi Arabia's Data and Artificial Intelligence Bureau since its founding in 2019.
SDAIA has developed a strategic roadmap to increase the Kingdom's global competitiveness by leveraging data and AI to promote economic growth and develop human capabilities, the SPA reported.
“As the leading host of national data in the Kingdom, SDAIA is critical to enabling digital transformation, providing insight into national decisions, and building a robust digital infrastructure for integrated government services.”
The SPA also reported that authorities will prioritize the responsible use of these technologies and create a regulatory framework consistent with the Personal Data Protection Act to ensure privacy and ethical standards.
Commenting on the transformation, Muhammad Kulram Khan, a professor of cybersecurity at King Saud University, told Arab News:
“With the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom positions AI as a national priority and embeds it at the heart of its economic change and modernization agenda.”
“This top-level commitment has enabled Saudi Arabia to build a world-class digital infrastructure, advance AI research and innovation, and lay the foundation for long-term independence in advanced and disruptive technologies,” Khan added.
The Crown Prince will provide SDAIA support that has enabled the authorities to achieve more than 70 national and international awards and accreditations, placing the kingdom at the forefront of global indicators.
“Through institutions like SDAIA, the Kingdom is driving a comprehensive national AI strategy spanning policy development, capacity building, ethical governance and global collaboration,” says Khan.
He added that the Kingdom's AI leadership is evident through hosting global AI summits and national education initiatives.
Saudi Arabia also established AI entities backed by public investment funds, including the company's companies, and committed to international standards through policies such as the framework for Saudi AI qualifications, he said.
“These efforts clearly demonstrate the ambitions of the kingdom leading the global AI race,” he added.
Khan said that equally important is the deep investment in the kingdom's human capital.
The Samai initiative aimed at equipping one million Saudi Arabia with AI skills and the national integration of the curriculum for over 6 million students represents a strategic move towards long-term independence and talent-driven innovation.
“This is more than a digital shift, it is a national redesign of how technology, talent and trust can mobilize and shape the future.
“Saudi Arabia's AI strategy is deeply aligned with Vision 2030 and ensures that AI is not only a factor in economic diversification, but also a tool to enhance human potential, enhance public services and ensure the competitiveness of the global innovation environment.”
“By embedding AI into the fabric of society and coordinating all initiatives with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is building a resilient, self-sufficient, innovation-driven economy poised to lead the world into the age of AI,” he added.
SDAIA's initiative will lead to the organisation of the most successful global summit since 2020, captivating over 100,000 participants, and establishing the International Center for Research and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, overseen by UNESCO.
In addition to our global efforts, SDAIA is a major contributor to domestic services. The authorities' cybersecurity standards have earned IT certification from the Global Crest organization, becoming the first government agency in the Middle East.
SDAIA has also digitalised government services, particularly through the Tawakkalna app, providing over 1,000 services to over 34 million users.
Additionally, SDAIA employs AI technology to manage crowds and keeps them safe during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
The SDAIA project also brought great economic benefits.
The Estishraf platform has been generated over SR 51 billion ($13.5 billion) with savings from over 121 government agencies, while the Ehsan platform is driving contributions of SR 12 billion.
These results illustrate the specific impact of SDAIA's work on strengthening the national economy and increasing government efficiency.
