Government Initiatives Driving AI Advancement in Saudi Arabia

January 16, 2025

Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in artificial intelligence (AI) through a series of government initiatives aimed at economic diversification and positioning the Kingdom as a global tech leader. AI is expected to contribute $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030, accounting for over 12% of the total GDP. Furthermore, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), forecasts that AI could add $20 trillion globally by 2030.

This article explores Saudi government-led AI initiatives and highlights how companies like Mobiz IT can support Saudi ministries and agencies in their AI journey.

Current AI Landscape in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is making impressive strides in AI, ranking 14th globally and 1st in the Arab world in the 2024 Global AI Index, published by Tortoise Intelligence. According to the 2024 State of AI in Saudi Arabia report, the Kingdom ranks second in the Middle East for the number of shared data centers, with 245 government data management offices.

Saudi Arabia hosts 10 supercomputers, eight of which are ranked among the world’s top 500 high-performance computers. In addition, the Kingdom has established 14 AI-related regulations to further enhance its AI capabilities.

Massive Investments in AI

Over the past six years, Saudi Arabia has invested $24.8 billion in AI, with plans to increase the country’s gross added value by $215 billion. This includes the purchase of 3,000 Nvidia chips to power AI program development. In 2023 alone, total funding for AI companies in Saudi Arabia reached $1.7 billion.

The government’s spending on emerging technologies, including AI, has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 59% from 2019 to 2023. The AI market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow at a CAGR of 29% until 2030.

The ICT sector has received $11.16 billion in government funding, with projections to reach $36.6 billion by the end of 2024. Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia plans to launch an AI project worth up to $100 billion, positioning the Kingdom as a technological hub to compete with its regional neighbors.

Key Government Initiatives

Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)

Founded in 2019, SDAIA plays a pivotal role in driving AI strategies in line with Vision 2030. Its aim is to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI.

National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence (NSDAI)

Launched in 2020, NSDAI focuses on six key pillars to unify efforts and build national capabilities in AI.

SAMAI Initiative

Launched in September 2024, the SAMAI initiative aims to empower one million Saudi citizens with AI knowledge through specialized remote programs.

Global AI Center

In a strategic partnership with Google Cloud, the Public Investment Fund launched a Global AI Center, expected to add approximately $71 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP over the next eight years.

SMB LAB

SMB LAB was introduced to empower over 100 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with AI tools and advanced marketing solutions, boosting their competitiveness in the digital economy.

Focus on Education

The number of graduates in AI-related fields in Saudi Arabia has increased from 6,178 in 2019 to 10,007 in 2023. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has funded $100,000 grants for AI research, and SDAIAhas partnered with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals to launch a master’s degree in AI. AI technologies are also being integrated into the curricula of many public schools.

Other Notable AI Initiatives

Saudi Arabia continues to push AI adoption across various sectors, including:

Establishment of the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) via the Public Investment Fund.
Launch of the AI Center for Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and SDAIA.
Generative AI initiative for the Digital Cooperation Organization in Riyadh.
Development of Sara, a smart tourism guide by the Saudi Tourism Authority.
The AI.M initiative, aiming to develop 50 AI solutions and attract 50 international companies to Saudi Arabia.
AI-focused incubators like The Garage, Taqadam, and Rowad Package, with $200 million allocated to turn innovative AI ideas into commercial solutions.

These initiatives have contributed to Saudi Arabia’s top global ranking in the Government AI Readiness Index (2023) and its leadership in the Arab world on the Global AI Index (2024). Currently, 39% of government entities in Saudi Arabia are using or experimenting with AI.

How Mobiz IT Supports Saudi AI Initiatives

Mobiz IT, with over 16 years of experience and a regional presence in 16 countries, is well-positioned to assist Saudi ministries and government agencies in their AI journey. Mobiz IT offers:

AI program development
Interactive chatbots
Intelligent automation
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Computer vision
Predictive analytics
Data visualization

These services can accelerate data analysis, improve customer experiences, increase operational efficiency, support decision-making, and drive innovation.

For more information about Mobiz IT’s services, please visit our website: Mobiz IT or contact our team of experts.