Saudi Arabia was ranked fifth globally and the first in the Arab world in the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, as of early December, according to the latest Global AI Index.
This achievement shows the Kingdom’s rapid advancement in AI and highlights the effectiveness of its long-term development strategies aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
The ascent in the Global AI Index, which is an international benchmark that measures countries’ capacity, investment, and progress in artificial intelligence, has been bolstered by a series of national initiatives spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
Among these initiatives is the Rowad Package, designed to support entrepreneurs and startups through secure digital verification of customer data via the National Information Center.
Another landmark initiative, the AI Ethics Incentive Badges, aims to promote ethical practices within AI development. This initiative has established a robust framework that assists organizations and developers in adhering to global best practices, resulting in over 50 accreditation certificates awarded to national companies that create AI-driven solutions for key sectors.
The formation of the Gaia generative AI accelerator, in collaboration with the National Technology Development Program and New Native, has further enhanced the capacity for startups to enter the AI market swiftly and efficiently, facilitating innovation across the sector.
In addition to these initiatives, SDAIA has prioritized human capital development through the SDAIA Academy. This program offers advanced training in data and AI, in partnership with international organizations, and has successfully trained more than one million Saudi men and women through the SAMAI initiative (One Million Saudis in AI).
The Kingdom’s effort is hailed as one of the largest public AI training programs globally, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of driving future advancements in AI.
As the central authority for regulating, developing, and applying data and AI, SDAIA is positioning Saudi Arabia as a future leader in a data- and AI-driven economy, aligning with the nation’s broader aspirations outlined in Vision 2030.
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