Hajra Naz
Saudi Arabia has ranked fifth worldwide and first in the Arab region for growth in the artificial intelligence sector, according to new data from the Global AI Index, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ranking highlights the Kingdom’s rapid progress in AI and reflects the effectiveness of its national development plans, particularly those tied to Vision 2030—the country’s long-term economic diversification strategy aimed at reducing reliance on oil revenues and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global technology hub by the end of the decade.
A report released by KPMG in November also underscored this momentum. According to the survey, 84 percent of CEOs in Saudi Arabia are ready to deploy AI responsibly, far above the global average of 76 percent. This advancement is supported by a strong national data governance ecosystem led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
SPA noted that during the period assessed by the Global AI Index, Saudi Arabia launched a wide set of national initiatives through SDAIA, which significantly boosted its standing. One of the key projects is the Rowad Package, designed to empower entrepreneurs and startups by allowing them to verify customer data through direct electronic links with the National Information Center’s databases.
SDAIA also introduced the AI Ethics Incentive Badges, an initiative aimed at promoting ethical AI use and raising awareness of responsible technology development. The program provides a comprehensive framework to help organizations and developers align with global ethical standards.
SPA added that more than 50 accreditation certificates have already been awarded to Saudi AI companies for creating AI-driven products that support priority sectors across the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s AI ecosystem is also expanding through programs like Gaia, a generative AI accelerator backed by SDAIA and the National Technology Development Program in partnership with New Native. Gaia is helping AI startups launch and scale more efficiently, accelerating the growth of the local AI economy.
These efforts extend to talent development. SDAIA Academy continues to train and upskill Saudi talent in advanced data and AI disciplines. Through the SAMAI initiative, developed in collaboration with various government entities, the academy has already trained over 1 million Saudis, making it one of the largest AI training programs in the world and targeting the broader population.
“These achievements highlight SDAIA’s success in the field of data and AI, both nationally and internationally,” SPA reported. “They reinforce its role as the Kingdom’s central authority for regulation, development, and application, advancing the nation toward leadership in data- and AI-driven economies.”
Saudi Arabia’s broader tech ambitions are also attracting major investment. In October, Humain, an AI company owned by the Public Investment Fund, partnered with AirTrunk—backed by BlackRock and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board—to develop hyperscale data centers across the Kingdom. The first phase alone includes an estimated $3 billion investment to build a major data center campus in Saudi Arabia.
