Saudi Arabia Continues Global Leadership in Ethical Principles and Responsible Use of AI

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), has reaffirmed its strong commitment to adopting innovative solutions and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) across key sectors.

 SDAIA emphasized its dedication to upholding global best practices and ensuring full compliance with laws, policies, and regulations governing AI systems. These efforts are aimed at promoting ethical principles, encouraging responsible AI use, and ensuring proper governance of AI applications in support of the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

 This comes amid the rapid global advancement of AI technologies and their integration into various aspects of life—at both institutional and individual levels—which has brought forth numerous challenges. In response, countries around the world, led by the Kingdom, have worked to establish ethical frameworks to govern the development and application of AI, ensuring that it serves the greater good of humanity.

 Under the continued support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA, efforts have intensified to raise awareness of the policies, regulations, laws, and related decisions concerning data and AI. SDAIA, serving as the national reference for all matters related to the regulation, development, and management of data and AI, plays a central role in these initiatives.

 In alignment with these national priorities, SDAIA issued the AI Adoption Framework in 2024—a guiding reference providing a comprehensive roadmap for AI adoption across all sectors in the Kingdom. The framework outlines key directions and guidelines and identifies best practices to ensure the responsible and effective implementation of AI technologies, maximizing their benefits while minimizing potential risks.

 This framework aims to build a knowledge-based society rooted in innovation and continuous development. It offers strategic guidance, actionable recommendations, and structured procedures aligned with global standards to support the optimal integration of AI into the national infrastructure.

 As part of its excellence in AI governance, SDAIA received the ISO 42001:2023 certification in 2024 from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), becoming the first entity worldwide to obtain this accreditation for AI management systems.

 This recognition reflects SDAIA’s adoption of comprehensive standards and best practices in AI governance and underscores the Kingdom’s international leadership in data and artificial intelligence. The ISO 42001 standard is the world’s first formal specification for AI management systems, and SDAIA’s certification marks a major milestone in institutionalizing quality and accountability in AI operations.

 This achievement further bolsters confidence in SDAIA as a professional and trusted international partner, committed to maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency, product performance, and institutional excellence.

 Adding to these accomplishments, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) acknowledged its strategic partnership with the Kingdom in the field of AI policy. As the world’s leading organization for the promotion of trusted AI governance, the OECD’s recognition affirms Saudi Arabia’s prominent regional and global role in advancing responsible AI practices.