Saudi Arabia's Three Global AI Summits Position Kingdom Among Leading Data And AI Economies

Saudi Arabia is advancing rapidly in artificial intelligence (AI), achieving global recognition. The nation has excelled in AI, securing top global rankings and enhancing its leadership in both local and regional AI sectors. This progress positions Saudi Arabia among the world's leading economies focused on information, data, and AI, with aspirations to become a central hub for advanced technologies.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has been pivotal since 2019, steering the national AI and data strategy. It acts as the key authority for AI regulation, development, and management. SDAIA's efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish a knowledge-based economy driven by technology.

The Global AI Summit, organised by SDAIA over three editions, has been crucial in Saudi Arabia's development journey. This summit serves as an international platform connecting Saudi Arabia with the global community. It fosters collaboration and aligns visions on using AI technologies to enhance human societies rather than harm them.

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the summits have highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to shaping a better future through AI. The focus is on maximising AI benefits while ensuring ethical use. The first summit in 2020 was significant for testing AI capabilities during a transformative year.

The second summit featured notable participation from global leaders and experts. Over 40 agreements were signed to form partnerships between public and private sectors for investing in AI technologies. Additionally, ten local and international initiatives were announced by global companies and institutions.

A major achievement of the second summit was establishing the "International Center for Research and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (ICAIRE)." Approved by the Cabinet in 2023, this centre is based in Riyadh with legal independence. UNESCO granted it Category 2 status during this year's third Global AI Summit.

Third Summit: Expanding Global Influence

The third summit took place from September 10 to 12 at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. It featured over 456 speakers from 100 countries and attracted more than 30,000 attendees over three days. Virtual participation reached 3.7 million worldwide.

This event included over 150 sessions and workshops. A key highlight was the inaugural International AI Olympiad (IAIO), involving participants from 25 countries. This further cemented Saudi Arabia's leadership role in global AI advancements.

SDAIA's initiatives have significantly advanced data and AI technologies within Saudi Arabia. The authority continues to drive innovation while ensuring responsible use of these technologies to improve quality of life and achieve sustainable development goals set by the United Nations for 2030.

With inputs from SPA