Communications Minister Abdullah Alswaha Calls For Global Action To Bridge AI Divide

At the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha delivered Saudi Arabia's keynote address. He highlighted the Kingdom's initiatives to tackle artificial intelligence (AI) challenges. Alswaha underscored the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which has positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in AI through bold initiatives.

Alswaha discussed three significant technological transformation phases: the analog era, digital era, and AI era. The analog era took over a century to connect 800 million people. In contrast, the digital era linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but left 2.6 billion unconnected. The AI era faces gaps in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms.

The minister emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to addressing global AI challenges. He warned about an "existential gap" due to disparities in AI technology access, which could hinder human progress. Alswaha stressed the need for international collaboration to create an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Highlighting global inequality, Alswaha noted that computing power is concentrated in a few regions. Many countries lack AI infrastructure, and the Global South has limited participation in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.

Alswaha praised Saudi Arabia's digital empowerment of women, with their participation rate exceeding 35%. The Kingdom has achieved top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years. Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology rank among the top 1% globally in scientific citations.

The minister detailed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to bridge technological divides by developing language models that promote inclusive technology access for diverse communities. He also highlighted progress in data protection regulations.

The HUMAIN Project

His Royal Highness launched the HUMAIN project to provide comprehensive AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent. This initiative aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global AI pioneer.

Alswaha concluded by emphasizing that the next decade is crucial for bridging AI-era divides. He called for multilateral partnerships under ITU's umbrella to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem supporting sustainable development and enhancing human well-being.

With inputs from SPA