SDAIA’s strategy and studies expert, Eng. Faisal Alsallum, has emphasized that Saudi Arabia has prioritized data governance and artificial intelligence (AI) as key components in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
In his speech at the 1st Arab Forum on Artificial Intelligence in El-Alamein City, Egypt, Eng. Faisal Alsallum highlighted that this focus has driven the creation of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in 2019.
Through its key entities, including the National Information Center (NIC), the National Data Management Office (NDMO), and the National Center for AI (NCAI), SDAIA offers advanced data capabilities and foresight tools. These initiatives support continuous AI innovation, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in data-driven and AI-powered economies.
The two-day forum is held under the patronage and with the participation of Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and is organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Arab League.
Eng. Alsallum indicated that SDAIA has exerted major efforts in data governance as the national authority responsible for data, including big dat a and AI, serving as the national reference in their regulation, development, and management.
He noted that among these efforts was the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Index (NAII), which aims to unify government efforts and national priorities in this field, while providing the necessary enablers to support government entities in adopting and developing effective and sustainable products and solutions that contribute to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Moreover, he highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the fields of data and AI through strategic partnerships with major organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation (OECD), and Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
These efforts contributed to the launch of key national initiatives, most notably the Riyadh Charter on AI for the Islamic World, endorsed by 53 countries, which aims to promote the responsible and trustworthy use of technology, he said.
