Saudi Arabia Affirms Leadership In Data And AI With Top Global Rankings In 2024

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is committed to advancing Saudi Arabia's leadership in data and AI. By 2024, the Kingdom aims to excel globally in these fields through ethical AI policies, data foresight capabilities, continuous innovation, and national expertise development. These efforts strive to position Saudi Arabia as a leader among economies driven by data and AI.

Under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, SDAIA has elevated the Kingdom's global standing in data and AI indicators. This support has enabled SDAIA to establish Saudi Arabia as a technological hub for advanced technologies. The Kingdom has achieved top global rankings in areas like the Government Strategy for AI Pillar and the Open Government Data Index (OGDI).

Saudi Arabia, represented by SDAIA, secured first place worldwide in several categories, including medals at the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (WAICY) and ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI management systems. Regionally, it topped the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and ranked highly in other global indices such as third in the OECD AI Policy Observatory.

SDAIA received numerous awards last year, including first place in the Innovation category within the 2024 Digital Transformation Measurement Index. It earned six ISO certifications covering AI management systems, information security, cloud services excellence, and privacy information management systems. Additionally, SDAIA was honoured with the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Global Academy for the Arabic Language Award.

SDAIA has been involved in pioneering digital projects like "ALLaM," featured on IBM's Watsonx platform as a leading generative model for Arabic language processing. This model trained on over 385 billion Arabic words enhances national security by localising language model technologies and supporting Arabic content development.

In healthcare, SDAIA collaborated on "EYENAI," an AI-driven project for early diabetic retinopathy detection. Over 12 months, it diagnosed more than 846 patients using advanced analytics and smart algorithms. This showcases AI's potential to drive positive social change through innovative solutions.

Regulatory Frameworks and Data Management

SDAIA has established a regulatory environment ensuring optimal data and AI use by creating policies, standards, and regulations disseminated to relevant entities. It raised awareness about the Personal Data Protection Law to safeguard personal data privacy while enhancing trust in electronic transactions.

The authority developed various regulatory tools like the AI Ethics Framework and Generative AI Guidelines for government entities. These tools clarify handling advanced technologies while ensuring compliance with laws and ethics regarding data usage as a national asset.

Building National Capabilities

SDAIA continues building national capabilities through initiatives like boot camps organised by SDAIA Academy with academic institutions and tech companies. These programs raise awareness of AI applications across Saudi Arabia while fostering public interest in data-driven innovations.

The Generative AI Academy launched with NVIDIA aims to develop globally competitive national skills aligned with ambitious goals. This initiative is part of SDAIA's commitment to preparing a generation capable of harnessing generative AI technologies effectively.

Digital Transformation Efforts

SDAIA supports digital transformation within government entities through smart platforms that enhance spending efficiency while improving digital transaction security. It oversees several excellence centres focusing on energy, health, media, environment industry education sectors leveraging resources for further development.

The comprehensive "Tawakkalna" application offers over 350 electronic services from 253 beneficiary entities improving quality life citizens residents visitors alike achieving one billion transactions viewing cards documents reflecting significant capabilities convenience offered simplifying daily life users saving time effort.

Contributions to Hajj Operations

SDAIA played a crucial role in managing Hajj operations last year alongside relevant authorities enhancing services during season supporting Makkah Route Initiative several Islamic countries facilitating entry pilgrims digitisation airport border services improving performance providing organised easy practical experience.

The authority enabled government entities govern data enhance value valuable asset establishing new management offices increasing total number such offices government entities launching expansive projects technical infrastructure Riyadh distinguished high operational efficiency electrical mechanical systems.

International Engagements

In 2024 SDAIA captured global attention organising third edition Global Summit Riyadh featuring over 465 speakers figures from 100 countries signing trilateral agreement between Saudi Arabia UNESCO ICAIRE Center accrediting centre C2C category under UNESCO patronage highlighting Kingdom prominent role leading international ethics project launching Riyadh Charter Islamic World inaugurating THAK.AI platform forming community experts enthusiasts sharing scientific results benefiting people worldwide.

The Global Smart City Forum held Riyadh theme "A Better Life" hosted mayors cities experts specialists engineers investors policymakers from over 40 countries resulting recommendations innovative solutions urban development addressing visual pollution traffic congestion effective planning present future needs reflecting Kingdom readiness praised UNESCO report achievements area continuing constructive journey providing capabilities enhancing continuous innovation building positioning forefront information economies.

With inputs from SPA