SDAIA VP Reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s Global AI Leadership, Ethical Commitment at UNGA 80

Sanaa Hasan September 24, 2025

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SDAIA VP Reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s Global AI Leadership, Ethical Commitment at UNGA 80

At the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York, Sami Moquim, Vice President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence. He noted that this commitment—driven by the Kingdom’s leadership—led to the creation of SDAIA as the national authority overseeing the development, regulation, and integration of data and AI technologies across the country.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency after the event, Moquim said, “The Kingdom is experiencing remarkable progress in data and AI, guided by the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to establish Saudi Arabia as a global AI leader and a center for innovation.”

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Shaping Global AI Policy

Moquim emphasized Saudi Arabia’s active role in shaping global AI policy and fostering international collaboration. Additionally, the Kingdom regularly organizes and participates in major global forums, contributing to discussions on how to leverage AI, address its challenges, and maximize its benefits worldwide.

Digital Transformation

On the domestic front, Saudi Arabia is making substantial investments in developing local expertise through SDAIA-led programs and initiatives. Among these is the One Million Saudis in AI (SAMAI) initiative, designed to train one million citizens in AI skills. Moreover, this effort supports the Kingdom’s digital transformation and strengthens its position as a leading knowledge-based economy.

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Ethical, Responsible Use of AI

He also stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to the ethical and responsible use of AI. As part of this mission, Saudi Arabia has launched the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh, under UNESCO’s auspices. This global initiative underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to setting international standards for AI ethics and ensuring technological progress respects human rights.

Through these initiatives and global partnerships, Moquim affirmed, Saudi Arabia continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI—both domestically and on the world stage.