Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has officially declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Artificial Intelligence,’ marking a significant milestone as the Kingdom continues to lead global AI adoption across multiple key metrics.
The announcement, made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategic emphasis on the digital economy and its continuous efforts to adopt cutting-edge technologies.
The Cabinet discussed several reports on domestic affairs, noting the recommendations from the 33rd annual meeting of the governors of the regions, which focused on supporting development opportunities, enhancing the capabilities of various sectors, and continuing to improve development services.
Saudi Arabia’s progress is reflected in global rankings. In 2026, Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in public sector AI adoption, with nearly two-thirds of workers reporting daily use of AI tools, according to the Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026 released by Public First for the Center for Data Innovation, sponsored by Google.
The Kingdom ranked 14th in the 2025 Global AI Index and holds a leading position in the Arab world for AI model development. Investment in the sector has grown significantly, with government spending on emerging technologies rising by more than 56 percent in 2024 and AI companies securing $9.1 billion in funding.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its presence in the AI sector. It became the first Arab nation to join the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and hosts the UNESCO-sponsored International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh. These initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence to support economic diversification and serve humanity globally.
