Saudi Arabia's Eng. Abdullah Alswaha Advocates For Comprehensive AI Governance At World Economic Forum

Artificial intelligence (AI) is as essential as basic needs like oxygen and water, according to Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha. He stressed the necessity for a comprehensive governance framework to mitigate potential negative impacts on economies and societies. His comments were made during a panel discussion titled "State of Play: AI Governance" at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Eng. Alswaha described AI as a "general-purpose technology" crucial for economic and social advancement. He warned that without international AI governance, there is a risk of creating a divide between an elite benefiting from technology and the rest of the global population, which could lead to ethical and technological disparities threatening sustainability.

The minister highlighted Saudi Arabia's dedication to closing gaps in computing, data, and algorithms under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Kingdom is investing resources, energy, and forming international partnerships to achieve this goal. This commitment includes developing efficient data centers in collaboration with major global companies.

In terms of data, Saudi Arabia positions itself as a leader in the Arab and Islamic world due to its rich heritage and unique resources. The minister emphasized the importance of secure and unbiased algorithm development to ensure modern technologies' reliability.

Eng. Alswaha concluded by reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to collaborating with countries and institutions sharing similar goals. The aim is to develop innovative AI solutions that are sustainable and meet human needs while ensuring equitable distribution of technological benefits globally.

The absence of AI in economies is likened by Eng. Alswaha to depriving individuals of life's essentials. This underscores the critical role AI plays in driving progress across various sectors.

With inputs from SPA