SDAIA Chief: Saudi Arabia positions AI as engine of progress, human development

Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi, president of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), highlighted that Saudi Arabia's hosting of the fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI 2026) signifies the Kingdom's dedication to advancing AI as a catalyst for progress, competitiveness, and human development.

The forum, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, ran from September 13 to 17, uniting ministers, policymakers, experts, researchers, and representatives from governments and international organizations.

Alghamdi emphasized that Saudi Arabia recognized early on that advancing AI extends beyond adopting new technologies; it necessitates constructing a comprehensive national ecosystem involving institutions, regulatory frameworks, human and technical capabilities, and international collaborations. This vision led to the establishment of the SDAIA in 2019, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The SDAIA's influence extended internationally with the creation of ICAIRE in 2022, which now operates under UNESCO's guidance.

The SDAIA chief pointed out the Kingdom's 2021 Personal Data Protection Law, which fortifies the privacy and rights of individuals, complemented by national data governance policies and controls for data classification, sharing, availability, protection, and usage. In 2022, the Kingdom embraced the UNESCO Recommendation by formulating its AI Ethics Principles, which emphasize fairness, privacy, security, safety, transparency, and accountability in AI system development and use.

Furthermore, the Kingdom has heavily invested in human capabilities, training over one million individuals in AI fundamentals through its national SMAI initiative. UNESCO Deputy Director General Åsa Regnér commended Saudi Arabia for hosting the forum, stressing the significance of women's involvement in AI. Regnér urged for better utilization of women's talents and capabilities in AI, noting that although young women excel academically, they often remain underrepresented in AI-related decision-making.

The forum's discussions covered AI ethics and governance, practical measures to translate principles into responsible AI development, and international cooperation to address AI-related challenges and maximize its benefits for people and society.