Saudi Arabia advances artificial intelligence development through national strategy, infrastructure investment, and international cooperation
The Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence following approval by the national cabinet, reinforcing the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its digital and innovation-driven economy. The initiative forms part of the broader objectives of Vision 2030, supported by Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
The announcement highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position itself as a global hub for data and artificial intelligence. Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has led the implementation of the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, focusing on six key pillars: ambition, competencies, policies, investment, innovation, and ecosystem development.
Image by Saudi Press Agency
The strategy has supported the transition from planning to implementation, including the regulation of artificial intelligence sectors and the development of advanced digital infrastructure across the Kingdom. These initiatives have contributed to Saudi Arabia’s rising position in global technology rankings.
According to the Global AI Index, the Kingdom ranked 14th worldwide in 2025 and holds a leading position among Arab countries in the development of artificial intelligence models. Investment in emerging technologies has also expanded significantly, with government spending increasing by more than 56 percent in 2024 and AI companies securing approximately US$9.1 billion in funding.
Saudi Arabia has also strengthened its technological infrastructure with the launch of the Shaheen III supercomputer and the Hexagon Data Center, described as the world’s largest government data centre with a capacity of 480 megawatts. In addition, the Kingdom has developed a National Data Lake integrating more than 430 government systems.
Human capital development remains a central component of the strategy. More than 11,000 specialists have been trained, while the SAMAI programme has reached over one million participants, supporting broader digital literacy and professional training.
At the international level, Saudi Arabia has expanded its engagement in global AI governance and research. The Kingdom became the first Arab nation to join the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and hosts the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh under the auspices of UNESCO.
Through these initiatives, Saudi Arabia aims to promote the responsible and ethical development of artificial intelligence while supporting economic diversification and technological innovation under Vision 2030.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
