Three Global AI Summits Place Kingdom on List of World's Top Data and AI-Based Economies

Saudi Arabia is heading towards a new stage of development, having achieved excellence and avant-garde global status in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
The country has written success stories in this advanced technology, achieving top global indicators and strengthening its ability to lead both the local and regional AI scenes, positioning the Kingdom among the world's best economies based on information, data, and AI, aiming to become a global hub for cutting-edge technologies and AI-related advancements.
With several countries relying heavily on AI to shape their present and build their future, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has been leading the national AI and data agenda since its establishment in 2019. The authority serves as the national reference for all matters related to the regulation, development, and management of AI, enabling the Kingdom’s developmental, productive, and service sectors to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy.
The Global AI Summit, organized by SDAIA in three editions, has marked a significant turning point in Saudi Arabia's development journey. It serves as a global Saudi platform that connects the country with the advanced world and keeps pace with its developmental movements. The three summits have made immense contributions to elevating Saudi Arabia’s focus on these technologies from a local to an international level by fostering international collaboration and aligning visions regarding the use of these technologies. This ensures that they become a means of building human societies rather than a tool for destruction, contributing to improving the quality of life and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
The patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and Chairman of the SDAIA board of directors, over the three Global AI Summits, reflects his commitment to enhancing Saudi Arabia's role in shaping a brighter future for humanity. This vision emphasizes maximizing the benefits of AI technologies while establishing an ethical framework to ensure their responsible and widespread use.
SDAIA has made significant progress in advancing data and AI technologies. The first Global AI Summit, held in 2020, took place during a pivotal year for AI. In his speech, HRH the Crown Prince described 2020 as "an exceptional year to test the capabilities of AI during the formation of a new global state that redefines lifestyles, business, and learning." SDAIA organized the two-day summit, featuring 30 sessions and nearly 60 speakers, including ministers, thought leaders, and heads of technology companies from 20 countries.
The second edition of the summit stood out for its high-profile participation from global figures and experts. More than 40 agreements were signed, forming unique partnerships between the public and private sectors to invest in AI technologies and enhance services. Additionally, global companies and institutions announced 10 local and international initiatives. The summit brought together over 200 speakers worldwide, with nearly 10,000 attendees from 100 countries gathering in Riyadh.
A key outcome of the summit was establishing the "International Center for Research and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (ICAIRE)." Approved by the Cabinet in 2023 and based in Riyadh, the center enjoys legal and financial independence. It was granted Category 2 international center status under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which officially announced the center at this year's third Global AI Summit.
The third summit, held from September 10 to 12 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, saw the participation of more than 456 speakers and a distinguished group of international figures from 100 countries. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees over three days, alongside 3.7 million virtual participants worldwide. More than 150 sessions and workshops were held.
Among the key outcomes of the third summit was the inaugural International AI Olympiad (IAIO), with 25 countries participating, further solidifying Saudi Arabia's leadership in AI on the global stage.