His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rapidly advancing to solidify its position as a leading global hub in the era of artificial intelligence, thanks to the unwavering support and wise guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him. This statement was made during his participation in a dialogue session as part of the Microsoft AI Tour, hosted by the capital, Riyadh.
Vision 2030: The primary driver of digital transformation
These ambitious efforts are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to build a diversified and sustainable economy that transcends dependence on oil. The technology and artificial intelligence sector is a key pillar of this vision, as the Kingdom seeks to harness its immense potential to improve quality of life, enhance the efficiency of government services, and create new and innovative economic sectors. This strategic focus was embodied in the establishment of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in 2019, which serves as the national authority on all matters related to data and artificial intelligence in the Kingdom.
Key elements of success: strategic investments and rapid growth
Al-Swaha explained that the Kingdom's impressive track record in the digital age reflects its ability to transform visions into tangible achievements. Digital infrastructure has witnessed significant leaps, with data center capacity increasing from less than 80 megawatts to over 440 megawatts, providing immense computing power. Economically, the value of the digital economy has grown to nearly $140 billion, contributing more than 50% to the sector's growth in the Middle East and North Africa region. He also noted that the focus on developing national capabilities has been a strategic turning point, with the number of skilled technical professionals increasing from 150,000 to over 406,000, making the Kingdom one of the largest technology hubs in the region and enhancing its readiness to lead the smart era.
Leading the AI race and bridging global gaps
The minister explained that leading the artificial intelligence race requires three key elements that the Kingdom possesses: computing power, capital, and customers. He emphasized that the Kingdom is working to bridge three major global gaps:
- The computing gap: by providing reliable and sustainable energy sources to support the massive expansion in data centers required by artificial intelligence.
- The algorithmic gap: By developing advanced Arabic language models that serve more than 400 million Arabic speakers around the world, thus enhancing Arabic digital content.
- Data gap: By promoting integration between model training and its practical applications to ensure accuracy and reliability in vital sectors such as healthcare and energy.
Future impact: Regional leadership and international standing
These investments are not only aimed at achieving local leadership, but also at strengthening the Kingdom's position as an influential force on both the regional and international stages. Regionally, Saudi Arabia is becoming a hub for investment and technological talent, inspiring other countries in the region to adopt similar transformation paths. Internationally, the Kingdom is affirming its role as a reliable partner in building an integrated global ecosystem that drives the growth of the smart economy, through strategic partnerships with leading global technology companies such as Microsoft, to ensure the development of a comprehensive and innovative digital future that originates in the Kingdom and extends to the world.
