Saudi Arabia positions AI as driver of progress and human development, says SDAIA chief

Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop artificial intelligence as a driver of economic progress, competitiveness and human development, Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) President Dr Abdullah Alghamdi said as Riyadh hosts the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

Speaking at the opening session of the forum on Tuesday, Alghamdi said the event comes as Saudi Arabia marks 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, highlighting the Kingdom's focus on developing AI while strengthening the governance frameworks around its use.

The fourth Global Forum on the Ethics of AI is being held in Riyadh from September 14 to 17 and is co-hosted by UNESCO and Saudi Arabia, represented by SDAIA and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE). It is taking place alongside the Global AI Summit as part of Saudi Arabia's Global AI Week. 

Under the theme "Transforming Global Cooperation for Ethical AI Governance", the forum brings together government representatives, policymakers, researchers, academics and international organisations to discuss how AI governance can keep pace with technological development.

Alghamdi said Saudi Arabia recognised early that AI development requires more than the adoption of new technologies. He pointed to the need for an integrated national ecosystem covering institutions, regulation, human capabilities, technical infrastructure and international partnerships.

SDAIA serves as the Kingdom's national authority for data and AI, and ICAIRE supports research, policymaking, capability building and international cooperation on AI research and ethics.

Saudi Arabia has also developed a regulatory framework around data and AI. The Kingdom adopted its Personal Data Protection Law in 2021, while national data governance policies cover areas including data classification, sharing, availability, protection and use.

The country launched its AI Ethics Principles in 2022, covering areas including fairness, privacy, security, safety, transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of AI systems.

Alongside governance, Alghamdi highlighted investment in AI capabilities, from basic awareness and talent identification to academic and professional training.

He said more than one million people had been trained in AI fundamentals through the national SMAI initiative, reflecting the Kingdom's emphasis on building a workforce capable of participating in an AI-driven economy.

The forum is also examining the human and social dimensions of AI. UNESCO Deputy Director-General Åsa Regnér called for greater use of women's capabilities and talent in AI, noting that strong academic performance among young women does not always translate into equivalent participation in the labour market or AI-related decision-making.

The broader forum agenda includes AI ethics and governance, institutional readiness, international cooperation, accountability, digital wellbeing, environmental sustainability, inclusion, privacy, education, culture and the future of work.