Saudi Arabia Emerges as AI Powerhouse under Vision 2030, Declares 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence
Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global hub for data and artificial intelligence under Vision 2030, driven by the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The momentum was underscored by the Cabinet's approval today to designate 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence in the Kingdom.
Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has led the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which focuses on six pillars: ambition, competencies, policies, investment, innovation, and ecosystem. These efforts have moved the Kingdom from strategic planning to implementation, including regulating AI sectors and developing advanced digital infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s progress is reflected in global rankings. The Kingdom ranked 14th in the 2025 Global AI Index and holds a leading position in the Arab world for AI model development. Investment in the sector has grown significantly, with government spending on emerging technologies rising by more than 56% in 2024 and AI companies securing $9.1 billion in funding.
Infrastructure has expanded with the launch of the Shaheen III supercomputer and the Hexagon data center, the world’s largest government data facility with a capacity of 480 megawatts. The Kingdom has also established a National Data Lake integrating more than 430 government systems.
Human capital development remains a priority. More than 11,000 specialists have been trained, and the SAMAI program has reached over one million participants.
Internationally, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its presence in the AI sector. It became the first Arab nation to join the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and hosts the UNESCO-sponsored International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh. These initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence to support economic diversification and serve humanity globally.
