The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has affirmed its commitment to strengthening the role of data and artificial intelligence governance as a central pillar for achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This commitment is being made through the ongoing efforts led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which was established in 2019 to enhance the national digital transformation ecosystem.
Data Governance and Artificial Intelligence
This came during a speech delivered by Eng. Faisal bin Fahd Al-Saloum, Studies and Strategy Expert at SDAIA, at the First Arab Artificial Intelligence Forum, which kicked off yesterday in El Alamein, Egypt, under the patronage and attendance of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The two-day forum, organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, is being held under the theme "Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Artificial Intelligence."
SDAIA: A National Umbrella for Data and Artificial Intelligence Governance
In his speech, Engineer Al Salloum explained that SDAIA plays a pivotal role as the competent and national authority in data affairs—including big data—and artificial intelligence. Through its executive arms: the National Information Center, the National Data Management Office, and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, SDAIA works to support the government system with data and technical capabilities.
Vision 2030
He pointed out that the Authority has launched several pioneering initiatives, most notably the National Artificial Intelligence Index, which is a strategic platform aimed at unifying government efforts and directing technology investments toward sustainable solutions. This enhances the ability of entities to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 and positions the Kingdom in a competitive position among global knowledge- and data-driven economies.
International partnerships and pioneering regional initiatives
Al-Saloum also reviewed SDAIA's efforts to enhance international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and data, through partnerships with major global organizations, including:
United Nations
International Telecommunication Union
UNESCO
OECD (OECD)
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
He pointed out that these partnerships have resulted in the launch of pivotal national initiatives, most notably the Riyadh Charter for Artificial Intelligence in the Islamic World, which has received the support of 53 Islamic countries and aims to promote the responsible and reliable use of modern technologies within an ethical and humane framework that respects privacy and promotes sustainable development.
