Saudi Arabia: A Global Hub For AI Ethics And Innovative Governance, Says Minister

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering innovation, supported by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This commitment aims to promote innovative governance and AI ethics for the benefit of humanity.

During a session titled "Empowering Societies with AI Technologies" at the third annual Global AI Summit (GAIN Summit), organised by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Eng. Al-Swaha emphasised the need for global cooperation to advance generative AI to the "productivity" stage. He noted that Saudi Arabia is working with local and international innovators and organisations to harness these technologies for human benefit.

Eng. Al-Swaha stated that Saudi Arabia's rich Arab and Islamic heritage positions it well to contribute significantly to data initiatives. He mentioned that SDAIA has launched the largest accurate Arabic language model (LLM) as part of these efforts.

He also stressed that Saudi Arabia is an ideal partner for investors and innovators looking to develop productive technologies that serve both humanity and the planet. The country has established itself as a reliable partner in creating policies and innovative regulations through international collaborations.

Eng. Al-Swaha cited partnerships with organisations like UNESCO and the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as examples of Saudi Arabia's role in enhancing ethical and regulatory frameworks in AI. These collaborations have led to the development of several policies, frameworks, and centres aimed at promoting ethical AI use.

In his concluding remarks, Eng. Al-Swaha addressed future leaders, praising Saudi women's contributions to technology and AI. He noted that Saudi Arabia ranks first globally in empowering women in this sector, with a 35% participation rate.

Encouraging Innovation Among Youth

Eng. Al-Swaha urged everyone to continue innovating and competing in the era of AI, emphasising that those who lead in AI technologies will achieve global excellence. He encouraged youth to take an active role in this transformative field.

The minister's speech underscored Saudi Arabia's dedication to becoming a hub for technological innovation while maintaining ethical standards in AI development.

With inputs from SPA