Saudi Arabia has achieved a remarkable milestone in artificial intelligence (AI), topping the Arab world in sector growth, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In the Global AI Index, the Kingdom achieved the fifth rank globally and the first in the Arab world in AI sector growth, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s robust progress in the AI sector, in line with the objectives of the ambitious Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia has steadily advanced across several global indices, in a strong testament to the efficiency of its development plans and its potential to attain high-level international competitiveness.
Advancing AI Growth
The period assessed in the Global AI Index saw the launch of multiple national initiatives and projects by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which reinforced the Kingdom’s position in the index.
These initiatives included the Rowad Package initiative, designed to support entrepreneurs and startups by enabling them to verify customer’s data through linking it with the databases of the National Information Center.
Moreover, SDAIA launched the AI Ethics Incentive Badges initiative to raise awareness about ethical practices and support the responsible use of technology. This initiative provides a clear framework to help organizations and developers adopt the best international standards. It has granted more than 50 accreditation certificates to Saudi firms for developing AI-based products to serve priority sectors.
Furthermore, SDAIA’s efforts included generative GAIA AI accelerator, which empowered several startups and accelerated their entrance into the market. The GAIA AI accelerator is supported by the National Technology Development Program (NTDP) in collaboration with New Native.
SDAIA Academy
One of the most significant projects is the SDAIA Academy, which plays a vital role in building national capacities and empowering youth talents through advanced training programs in partnership with international AI partners.
In the light of this, SDAIA Academy has trained over one million Saudi citizens in data and AI skills. It provides the training through the SAMAI initiative, in collaboration with several government entities.
Saudi AI Progress
These efforts emphasize SDAIA’s role as Saudi Arabia’s central authority for regulation, development, and application. They also advance the Kingdom toward leadership in data- and AI-driven economies.
Most recently, Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in advanced AI model development, according to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence’s 2025 AI Index.
The progress in global and regional AI indices further underscores SDAIA’s success on both the national and international levels.
