Saudi Arabia declares 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence to boost its global ambitions – Fast Company Middle East
Publish Date: 2026-03-11 06:07:00
Source Domain: fastcompanyme.com
- Saudi Arabia has intensified its efforts to become a global hub for data and artificial intelligence (AI) through its Vision 2030 transformation.
- The Saudi Cabinet designated 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence to accelerate AI development and adoption across various sectors.
- The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority oversees the implementation of the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which includes six pillars: ambition, competencies, policies, investment, innovation, and ecosystem development.
- Saudi Arabia has made significant global and regional progress in AI, ranking 14th in the 2025 Global AI Index and leading the Arab region in AI model development.
- Investment in AI and related technologies is surging, with government spending rising by over 56% in 2024 and AI-focused companies securing $9.1 billion in funding.
- The country has expanded its digital infrastructure, including the launch of the Shaheen III supercomputer and the Hexagon data center, the world’s largest government data facility.
- To build local talent, over 11,000 specialists have been trained, and the SAMAI initiative has engaged more than one million participants in AI awareness and skills development.
- At a global level, Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to join the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and hosts a UNESCO-backed institution for ethical AI governance in Riyadh.
