In a move reflecting its growing stature as a regional and international technology powerhouse, the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) highlighted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s proactive efforts in implementing the United Nations’ recommendations regarding the establishment of a global network for AI capacity building. These initiatives underscore Riyadh’s pivotal role in shaping the future of technology globally, as the Kingdom actively participated in laying the groundwork for this international network’s charter.
Strategic partnership with the United Nations
This announcement came during SDAIA’s participation in a specialized workshop organized by the Indian Institute of Technology, with direct support from the United Nations Office for Digital, Emerging Technologies (ODET). The virtual meeting focused on unifying global visions and exchanging perspectives on the proposed global network’s organizational structure. This network aims to bridge the digital divide between countries and ensure equitable access to artificial intelligence technologies, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Global context and leading role of the Kingdom
This participation is particularly important given the intense global race to regulate and govern artificial intelligence. Since launching Vision 2030, the Kingdom has placed data and AI at the heart of its strategy to diversify the national economy. The Kingdom's efforts are not limited to the domestic sphere; they extend to leading the global dialogue by hosting global AI summits and launching AI ethics initiatives that have received widespread international acclaim.
The Kingdom, in partnership with countries such as Kenya and the International Centre for Research and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (ICAIRE), is working to ensure that the new UN network plays an effective role in building human capacity, not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries, thereby enhancing opportunities for inclusive global economic growth.
Review of the Saudi experience
During the session, Dr. Abdulrahman Habib, Executive Vice President of the Strategy Management Office at SDAIA, reviewed the pioneering Saudi experience in this field. He highlighted the national initiatives launched by the authority to build national competencies and develop digital infrastructure, in addition to the Kingdom's international efforts that contribute to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Kingdom’s participation in drafting the Network Charter is a progressive step towards activating the recommendations of the United Nations’ “Global Digital Charter,” which consolidates Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading country in the field of advanced technologies, and confirms its commitment to joint international action to meet the challenges of the digital age.
Ethics of artificial intelligence
For its part, the International Center for Research and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (ICAIRE) participated in the session, showcasing its efforts in supporting the "responsible AI" ecosystem. The center emphasized the importance of developing specialized training programs to enable practitioners and decision-makers to understand the ethical dimensions of the technology and to promote international cooperation to ensure the safe and reliable use of AI for the benefit of all humanity.
