In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) the "General Rules for the Secondary Use of Data" document. This step comes within the framework of national efforts to regulate the data sector and maximize its benefit as a strategic national asset that supports the digital transformation process.
Those interested, researchers, and government agencies can view and download the full document directly through this link .
What is the secondary use of data?
The new rules aim to establish a robust regulatory framework governing the request and sharing of data for purposes other than its original collection (primary use). This includes using data for the public good or for research, development, and innovation, thus opening up broad opportunities for researchers and entrepreneurs to benefit from the wealth of information available to government agencies.
Document objectives and strategic importance
Through these rules, SDAIA seeks to achieve a number of key objectives, most notably:
- Incentivizing government agencies: Encouraging institutions to share their data in a secure and organized manner to support scientific research and technological innovation.
- Supporting decision-making: Improving the efficiency of government agencies' work and activities by relying on accurate analyses derived from reliable data.
- Implementing national strategies: Enabling various entities to obtain the data necessary to measure performance indicators and support the implementation of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
Event context: SDAIA and Vision 2030
Since its establishment by royal decree in 2019, the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has been leading the data and artificial intelligence sector in the Kingdom, serving as the national authority on all matters related to this field. The issuance of this document complements a series of regulations and policies launched by the Authority, such as the Personal Data Protection Law, to ensure a secure and growth-friendly digital environment.
This step is particularly important given the Kingdom's drive towards building a knowledge-based and data-driven economy. Data is now considered the "new oil," and regulating its reuse (secondary use) mechanisms saves enormous costs that were previously wasted on repetitive data collection processes. It also accelerates the development of artificial intelligence solutions, which require massive amounts of data to train algorithms.
Expected impact locally and regionally
The implementation of these rules is expected to improve the Kingdom's ranking in international indices related to open data and government transparency. It will also enhance the entrepreneurial environment, as startups will gain access to government data that will help them build innovative business models, ultimately benefiting the national economy and solidifying the Kingdom's position as a regional and global hub for data and artificial intelligence.
