In just a few years, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global powerhouse in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and data technology, with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) leading the charge. This transformation has been marked by astonishing accomplishments, including substantial financial savings, post-Covid planning enhancements, and improved offerings during the Hajj season.
Leading the global AI revolution
In the recently published Global AI Index for 2023, the nation secured the coveted top spot for its AI government strategy, outshining even the most technologically advanced countries. Additionally, Saudi Arabia ranked second globally in societal awareness of AI, according to the prestigious Stanford University International Index for Artificial Intelligence.
The capital city, Riyadh, soared to the 30th position worldwide and third in the Arab world in the IMD Smart Cities Index 2023, underscoring the Kingdom’s ambitious national aspirations. These achievements have been the result of unwavering support from Saudi leadership, which recognised the transformative potential of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, particularly AI.
SDAIA’s pioneering initiatives
Under the strategic direction of the Saudi leadership and the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, SDAIA embarked on an ambitious plan to advance its responsibilities in data and artificial intelligence. The authority wasted no time in achieving significant breakthroughs, accompanied by impressive records in digital initiatives.
One of the standout achievements includes hosting 220 government data centres in the “DEEM” cloud platform, resulting in savings and revenue opportunities exceeding SAR50 billion ($13.3 billion). Through the Estishraf platform for decision support, SDAIA realised financial savings exceeding SAR50 billion ($13.3 billion). The Tawakkalna application, offering over 240 electronic services, attracted more than 17.9 million active users.
Moreover, the Nafath platform processed an astonishing 1.8 million digital identity verification requests daily, demonstrating the authority’s commitment to digital transformation. SDAIA also recorded a remarkable 279 million procedural transactions through the Shomoos platform, providing a unified database on customer operations.
International recognition and resilience amidst challenges
Despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, SDAIA showcased its resilience by providing innovative solutions through the Tawakkalna application. This led to the launch of Tawakkalna Services, available in seven languages and accessible in 77 countries worldwide. The Tawakkalna system received the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award 2022 for institutional resilience and innovative responses to the pandemic, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s technological and digital leadership.
In a bid to foster global collaboration, SDAIA remotely organised a global summit for artificial intelligence in 2020, which laid the foundation for a physical summit in 2022, featuring over 200 global speakers and attracting more than 50,000 virtual viewers from over 100 countries. SDAIA also played a pivotal role in enabling the G20 leaders’ summit meetings hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2020, ensuring the highest level of security and reliability for virtual meetings through the innovative Brouk system.
The future of AI and data
Continuing its impressive journey, SDAIA is harnessing data and AI technologies to align with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030, directly impacting 66 of the 96 vision objectives. The authority leads Saudi Arabia’s approach to data and AI, elevating the Kingdom’s position in data and AI-based economies.
SDAIA boasts a portfolio of distinctive digital initiatives and projects, including datasets, sustainability solutions, energy efficiency programmes, and healthcare-focused projects. The “Ehsan” platform alone has received donations exceeding SAR4.4 billion, benefiting more than 4.4 million recipients.
During the annual Hajj season, SDAIA showcases its technological prowess by establishing an integrated system, developed with national algorithms and AI, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior. This system serves pilgrims, ensuring their safety and comfort, with platforms like “Sawaher” and “Baseer” designed to efficiently manage crowds in the Grand Holy Mosque.
Educational and collaborative initiatives
SDAIA’s impact extends beyond technology. It has established the “SDAIA Academy” in cooperation with leading local, regional, and global entities specialising in data and AI. This initiative aims to elevate national competencies in data and AI while nurturing a workforce capable of leading in the job market.
Collaborations with renowned institutions such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) have resulted in the establishment of centres of excellence in data science and AI. These endeavors aim to cultivate a Saudi generation proficient in handling advanced technologies and fostering innovation.
Empowering entrepreneurs and women
SDAIA has also launched initiatives to support entrepreneurs, including the “ROWAD Package” in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) and Elm Company. This initiative not only supports startups but also facilitates the verification of customer data.
In a pioneering move, SDAIA has partnered with Google Cloud to launch the “Elevate” programme, aimed at preparing women worldwide for the AI job market. In its initial phase, the programme has enrolled 1,000 women representing 28 countries for training in data and AI fields, with plans to train over 25,000 women in the next five years.
Raising AI awareness
To enhance societal awareness of data and AI technologies, SDAIA has published reports and studies in Arabic, educating society about these crucial elements in today’s advanced tech world.
As Saudi Arabia continues to lead the way in AI and data technology, SDAIA remains dedicated to advancing the nation’s position as a global leader in these fields, aligning with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The authority’s achievements underscore its commitment to innovation and progress, paving the way for a future where AI and data technology play a central role in Saudi Arabia’s development.
