Saudi Arabia's Communications Minister Advocates For International Cooperation To Address Social And AI Gaps

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha emphasised Saudi Arabia's commitment to international collaboration in bridging digital, social, and economic divides. Speaking at the Summit of the Future session titled "Toward a Common Digital Future," he highlighted the Kingdom's leadership under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Kingdom is actively working with the UN’s International Telecommunication Union to address the digital divide affecting 2.6 billion people worldwide. This initiative aims to enhance access to digital solutions globally. Alswaha noted that Saudi Arabia has launched a virtual hospital model, performing specialised surgeries like open-heart operations across various countries.

Saudi Arabia takes pride in its expanding digital economy. The minister mentioned the proposal for establishing the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), which aims to bridge gaps and serve over 800 million people. This involves creating digital platforms and a unified market to support innovation in healthcare, education, and business sectors.

The Kingdom's efforts extend to its role in the AI Advisory Body led by the UN secretary-general. Through this membership, Saudi Arabia contributes to bridging social, economic, and AI gaps, empowering individuals and shaping humanity's future.

Alswaha announced several recommendations from Saudi Arabia, including forming an independent international scientific committee on AI. Other suggestions involve launching multi-government dialogues on AI governance, creating a platform for sharing AI standards and experiences, and building a global capacity development network.

The minister also revealed Saudi Arabia's framework for AI governance in partnership with the UN. This includes establishing the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) with UNESCO and launching an AI Readiness Framework with the International Telecommunication Union.

Commitment to Inclusive AI

"As we celebrate today the launch of the Pact for the Future, we must unite in recognizing that we have only one option: a comprehensive AI that empowers humanity and ensures that no one is left behind in keeping pace with the world," said Alswaha.

Saudi Arabia remains dedicated to fostering joint efforts and exchanging experiences globally. These initiatives aim to ensure inclusive growth in AI technology while addressing ethical considerations through international cooperation.

With inputs from SPA