In a strategic move aimed at accelerating the transition to a knowledge-based economy, the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Saud University, Professor Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, and the President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, announced the launch of 40 specialized academic programs in the fields of data and artificial intelligence. This initiative encompasses 14 prestigious public and private universities across the Kingdom.
This important announcement came during the first day of the “International Conference on Building Capabilities in Data and Artificial Intelligence (ICAN 2026)”, organized by “SDAIA” in academic partnership with King Saud University, to highlight the Kingdom’s firm commitment to keeping pace with future transformations and meeting the growing needs for building national capabilities specialized in advanced technologies.
General context: A strategic step within Vision 2030
The launch of these programs is not arbitrary; rather, it represents a practical implementation of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places human capital development and digital transformation at the heart of its priorities. Since the establishment of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in 2019, the Kingdom has worked to develop the necessary regulatory and strategic frameworks to become a global leader in this field. These new academic programs are a cornerstone in building the next generation of scientists, experts, and innovators capable of driving the digital economy.
The importance of the initiative and its future impact
This initiative is expected to have a profound and multifaceted impact. Domestically, it will help bridge the gap between higher education outputs and the evolving demands of the labor market, providing qualified national talent for future jobs in vital sectors such as healthcare, financial services, energy, and smart cities. Regionally, this step reinforces the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for innovation and education in artificial intelligence, attracting talent from across the region. Internationally, these programs enhance the Kingdom's global competitiveness and underscore its commitment to achieving leadership in the data economy.
Details of participating programs and universities
The programs offered include master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, minors, and advanced professional diplomas. All are designed with progressive learning pathways that combine a solid academic foundation with intensive practical application, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to compete in both the local and global job markets. The programs adhere to the highest academic standards and international best practices, while also aligning with priority national needs.
The list of participating universities includes: King Saud University, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, King Abdulaziz University, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal University, Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz University, Alfaisal University, Prince Sultan University, Effat University, Jeddah University, Dar Al-Hekma University, Al-Maarefa University, University of Business and Technology, and Al-Baha University.
