Saudi Arabia boosts human and technical capabilities for AI era

Saudi Arabia is bolstering its human and technical capacities to thrive in the AI era, preparing for the advent of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The nation is investing in talent development, technology enhancement, and computing infrastructure to keep pace with rapid advancements in AI technologies. Artificial general intelligence (AGI) represents a future where AI systems could perform a broad spectrum of cognitive tasks akin to human capabilities.

Saudi Arabia's national AI ecosystem is being shaped by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which plays a pivotal role in regulating and advancing the Kingdom's data and AI sector. SDAIA emphasizes the development of national capabilities, responsible technology use, and fostering innovation and growth.

While AGI remains scientifically unresolved, experts offer varying perspectives on its attainability and timeline. The SDAIA acknowledges AGI as one of several possible futures and advocates for early preparation without fixing a specific date for national readiness. By 2025, Saudi Arabia has developed eight large language models, including five world-leading models, ranking third globally in advanced AI model development.

These efforts have yielded 58 domestically developed AI applications, and the Balsam index, in partnership with multiple institutions, tests 20 Arabic language models. Internationally, Saudi Arabia ranks 15th in the Oxford AI Readiness Index and 19th in the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI Index for 2025. SDAIA stresses the need for advanced computing power, technical infrastructure, and skilled professionals to translate technology into economic solutions.

To nurture this talent pool, SDAIA's Samai initiative, along with training programs, bootcamps, hackathons, and competitions, aims to expand the pool of experts and prepare national talent for advanced technologies. The Tabuk region's Fahad Bin Sultan University exemplifies academic institutions' role in talent development, offering specialized AI, machine learning, and data science programs.

The university has introduced a general AI course for all undergraduates and launched the AI and Data-Driven Modeling Lab (AIMD Lab) to create advanced computational solutions and models. With a focus on quantum computing exploration and competitive events, the university prepares a generation of talent to support the digital economy and sustainability across the Kingdom.

As autonomous systems become more prevalent, Saudi Arabia adopts a gradual approach to AI governance, starting with ethical principles, followed by adoption frameworks, risk management, and policy development.