Paris AI Action Summit: SDAIA Highlights Saudi Arabia as Comprehensive Governance Model
The President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), Abdullah Alghamdi, spotlighted Saudi Arabia’s leading example in artificial intelligence (AI) governance during his participation in a session at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France.
During his speech, Alghamdi said that the Kingdom has showcased a pioneering model for enhancing comprehensive AI governance at the regional and global levels, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Paris AI Action Summit
He added that this comes at a time when the world is in growing need for such governance as AI is shaping economies, societies, and global power structure, and the AI-driven technologies are transcending international boundaries and impacting industries, governments, labor markets and security.
The AI Action Summit is taking place in Paris on February 10-11, 2025. The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, is heading the Kingdom delegation to the summit, on behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman.
The session was attended by prominent figures, including the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, in addition to several world leaders, policymakers and AI experts.
Comprehensive AI Governance
SDAIA President explained that comprehensive AI governance ensures a role in shaping AI future for all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and underrepresented communities. He added that by strengthening cooperation and transparency, comprehensive governance can reduce risks, build trust, and create a framework that ensures AI is in service of all humanity.
Moreover, Alghamdi pointed to the risks of exacerbating inequalities, reinforcing bias, and benefiting specific groups in case of the absence of diverse perspectives in AI policymaking. He noted that Saudi Arabia has released 65 AI-related policies on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) AI Policy Observatory, coming third after the US and the UK.
Saudi Arabia’s AI Efforts
Furthermore, SDAIA President highlighted the Kingdom’s local, regional and international efforts in the data and AI sector, including hosting the first AI Global Summit in Riyadh in 2020, and hosting the third and largest edition of the summit in 2024.
Saudi Arabia, driven by its commitment to Islamic values and ethical principles, also hosted the largest consultative session of the UN Advisory Body on AI in Riyadh, bringing together over 53 Islamic countries. The session culminated in issuing the Riyadh Charter for AI Ethics in the Islamic World in September 2024.
His Excellency the President of #SDAIA during the AI Action Summit:
“Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of global AI." pic.twitter.com/RWg70Rp3H6
— SDAIA (@SDAIA_SA) February 10, 2025
Moreover, the Kingdom established International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh, which plays a key role in forging AI policies, enhancing capacity building, and supporting the development of a responsible and ethical AI.
Alghamdi noted that Saudi Arabia, owing to its strategic position in the Arab and Muslim worlds, is ready to play active role in shaping the future of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) which will hold its 2025 ministerial council meeting in Slovakia. Concluding his speech, SDAIA President called for unifying international efforts to build an innovative, trustworthy and inclusive AI ecosystem.
