ASIATODAY.ID, RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has stunned global observers by rising to fifth place worldwide and securing the Number 1 position in the Arab world for artificial intelligence sector growth, according to the latest Global AI Index on December 7, 2025.
The dramatic leap underscores the Kingdom’s accelerating transformation into a global AI powerhouse, driven by the ambitious vision and structural reforms under Saudi Vision 2030.
The new ranking reflects years of strategic investment and rapid-scale development anchored by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). During the period evaluated by the Global AI Index, Saudi Arabia rolled out an aggressive suite of national AI initiatives that significantly boosted its competitiveness, both regionally and globally.
At the center of these efforts is the Rowad Package, a landmark initiative designed to empower tech entrepreneurs and startups. By enabling seamless electronic verification of customer data through direct integration with the National Information Center, the program has strengthened trust, efficiency, and scalability across emerging AI enterprises.
Another milestone is the launch of the AI Ethics Incentive Badges, a pioneering program promoting the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies. The initiative provides clear guidelines aligned with global best practices, helping companies integrate trustworthy AI principles into their operations.
More than 50 national AI firms have already been accredited, supporting priority sectors with high-impact, AI-driven products.
The Kingdom’s push into generative AI also gained momentum through the Gaia AI accelerator, developed in partnership with SDAIA, the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and New Native. The accelerator has enabled Saudi and international startups to enter the market faster and with stronger technological foundations.
SDAIA’s vision is further strengthened by the SDAIA Academy, which has become a national engine for talent development. Through the SAMAI initiative—one of the world’s largest mass-training programs in AI and data—over one million Saudis have been trained in critical digital skills, preparing a new generation to lead the Kingdom’s data-driven economic transformation.
Collectively, these milestones underscore Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a formidable global competitor in artificial intelligence.
SDAIA’s achievements highlight its central role in regulating, developing, and scaling AI innovation—cementing the Kingdom’s position as a rising leader in the world’s fast-evolving AI economy. (SPA)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel