Saudi Arabia Showcases Digital and AI Leadership at WSIS Summit in Geneva
Geneva, The Gulf Observer: Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Haytham AlOhali, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant achievements in digital transformation and innovation during his address at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva. The summit, attended by senior officials and digital experts from 194 countries, provided a global platform for the Kingdom to reaffirm its commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable digital communities in alignment with the goals of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Speaking at the summit, AlOhali underscored the Kingdom’s leadership in global ICT development. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia ranks first globally on the ITU’s ICT Development Index, a milestone that reflects the country’s sustained investment and strategic focus in the information and communications technology sector. He also noted that Saudi Arabia secured sixth place globally in the United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), marking its strong performance in digital governance and public service delivery.
AlOhali detailed the Kingdom’s digital economy growth, which reached $132 billion in 2024, representing 15 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP and half of the entire region’s digital economy. He attributed this growth to the development of a robust digital infrastructure and an enabling environment for technological advancement.
Participating in the AI World Summit, held alongside WSIS, AlOhali contributed to a high-level session titled “Crafting a well-balanced, pro-innovation regulatory framework.” He emphasized that the foundation of a sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem lies in investment in human capital, infrastructure, and the development of clear and flexible standards.
“Today, Saudi Arabia is home to the largest technical workforce in the region, with over 381,000 specialists and an annual growth rate of 8.8 percent, up from 350,000 in 2023,” he noted. “Our digital infrastructure journey began in 2018 with investments exceeding $25 billion, in partnership with the private sector—enabling us to lead the 2025 ICT Development Index.”
Highlighting the Kingdom’s global ambitions, AlOhali announced that Saudi Arabia is expanding its AI footprint through strategic collaborations with leading tech companies, including AMD, AWS, Qualcomm, and a partnership with NVIDIA to develop a 500MW data center. He also announced the launch of “Humain”, an initiative aimed at creating a regional and global AI powerhouse, supported by cutting-edge cloud infrastructure.
“These initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s strong commitment to building a sustainable, innovation-driven digital economy and reinforcing its role as a global hub for AI and emerging technologies,” AlOhali concluded.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the WSIS and AI World Summit underscores its strategic vision to lead in digital transformation and foster global cooperation for a more inclusive and connected world.
