Communications Minister Stresses Decisive Action, International Cooperation in Bridging AI Divide

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha delivered the Kingdom's keynote address at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, outlining the Kingdom's efforts to address the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI).

 In his speech, Alswaha emphasized that the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has positioned Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the age of AI through a series of bold initiatives. HRH the Crown Prince launched the HUMAIN project to provide the full spectrum of AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent, and to position the Kingdom as a global AI pioneer.

 Alswaha stated: “The Kingdom’s efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges. Today, the world faces an ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies.” He warned that these persistent gaps could slow the advances needed to support human progress.

 The minister reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to supporting and leading international efforts to close the technological divides emerging in the AI era. He stressed the need for decisive international collaboration to build a more inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem, underscoring the importance of unity in addressing global challenges.

 Alswaha outlined three major phases of technological transformation: the analog era, which took over a century to connect 800 million people; the digital era, which linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but still left 2.6 billion unconnected; and the AI era, where current gaps exist in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms.

 He also highlighted the global scale of inequality, citing the concentration of computing power in a few regions, the lack of AI infrastructure in many countries, and the limited participation of the Global South in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.

 Alswaha detailed the Kingdom’s initiatives to address these gaps. He highlighted the inspiring digital empowerment of women in Saudi Arabia, who now have a participation rate exceeding 35%, as well as the Kingdom's top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years. Additionally, he noted that Saudi researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology rank among the top 1% globally in scientific citations, offering hope for the future of AI.

 He also underlined the Kingdom’s progress in data protection regulations and the development of language models that promote inclusive access to technology for diverse communities.

 The minister concluded his speech by emphasizing that the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides of the AI era. He called for multilateral partnerships under the umbrella of the ITU to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enhances human well-being.