Saudi Arabia Ranks Fifth Globally in AI Sector Growth, Leads Arab World
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia has secured fifth place globally and first in the Arab world in artificial intelligence sector growth, according to the latest Global AI Index. The ranking marks a significant national milestone, reflecting the Kingdom’s steady advancement in artificial intelligence and the effectiveness of its development strategies under Saudi Vision 2030.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) played a central role in driving this progress through a series of national initiatives launched during the assessment period. These efforts strengthened the Kingdom’s position on the global index and accelerated the development of its AI ecosystem.
Among the key initiatives was the Rowad Package, designed to support entrepreneurs and startups by enabling verification of customer data through seamless electronic integration with the National Information Center’s databases.
SDAIA also introduced the AI Ethics Incentive Badges initiative, which aims to promote ethical practices and responsible technology use. The initiative provides a clear framework to help organizations and developers comply with global standards. More than 50 accreditation certificates have been awarded to national AI companies producing innovative, AI-based solutions across priority sectors.
The generative Gaia AI accelerator—supported by SDAIA, the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and developed in collaboration with New Native—has enabled numerous startups to accelerate their market entry and scale more efficiently.
SDAIA’s efforts also extend to talent development through the SDAIA Academy, which focuses on building national competencies in data and artificial intelligence. The academy delivers advanced training programs in partnership with leading international institutions.
Through the SAMAI initiative, conducted in coordination with multiple government entities, the SDAIA Academy has trained more than one million Saudi men and women in data and AI skills, making it one of the largest population-level training programs of its kind worldwide.
These achievements underscore SDAIA’s pivotal role as the Kingdom’s central authority for regulating, developing, and applying data and artificial intelligence. They also reinforce Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global leader in data- and AI-driven economies under Vision 2030.
