SDAIA Advances Saudi Arabia's Role In Shaping Global AI Ethics And Policy Frameworks

The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is championing ethical AI principles worldwide, aligning with UNESCO's AI ethics guidelines endorsed by 193 countries in November 2021. This initiative aims to establish frameworks that ensure AI usage respects human values. As a result, significant international achievements have been realized, including the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World and the creation of the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh.

SDAIA has played a pivotal role in shaping global AI ethics policies, which have gained approval from major international bodies like UNESCO and ICESCO. These efforts underscore Saudi Arabia's commitment to ethical standards that benefit humanity. While global discussions often focus on AI applications and challenges, SDAIA has addressed ethical concerns raised during expert meetings, emphasizing social and human dimensions.

From September 2024 to March 2025, ICESCO collaborated with SDAIA and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science to launch the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World. This charter was unanimously endorsed by all 53 Islamic member states of ICESCO. It represents a significant step towards establishing a shared ethical framework for AI within the Islamic world.

ICESCO praised this charter as a major achievement, highlighting member states' commitment to using AI for societal benefits while adhering to international governance frameworks. The charter provides a strategic vision for responsible AI use, upholding ethical principles, and promoting a sustainable digital future.

The establishment of ICAIRE in Riyadh, approved by the Cabinet and recognized by UNESCO as a Category 2 center, marks a national milestone. This development strengthens Saudi Arabia's international efforts supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in raising awareness about AI ethics and offering advisory support on AI policies in line with UNESCO's recommendations.

SDAIA has introduced AI ethics principles to guide organizations in responsibly using these technologies. These principles encompass integrity, fairness, privacy, security, reliability, safety, transparency, interpretability, accountability, responsibility, humanity, and social and environmental benefit.

Guidelines for Generative AI

SDAIA acknowledges the numerous benefits generative AI technologies offer businesses at both institutional and individual levels. To promote positive aspects while addressing risks associated with generative AI, SDAIA released guidelines for private sectors, non-profit organizations, and individuals on using generative AI tools responsibly.

This document serves as comprehensive guidance for data use in generative AI tools. It includes illustrative examples from common scenarios to highlight key challenges while aligning with existing regulations to support compliance. The guidelines emphasize applying ethical principles and adopting preventive measures to avoid copyright issues.

SDAIA's initiatives reflect its dedication to fostering an environment where technological advancements align with ethical standards. By promoting responsible use of generative AI tools through clear guidelines and international collaborations like ICAIRE's establishment in Riyadh or ICESCO's endorsement of the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World—Saudi Arabia continues leading efforts toward ensuring that future developments benefit society while respecting human values globally.

With inputs from SPA