Saudi Arabia advances AI literacy as a cornerstone of Vision 2030 digital transformation

Saudi Arabia is embedding AI literacy into its national strategy to drive economic growth, workforce development, and responsible AI adoption, according to a new Coursera report. The kingdom is highlighted as a regional leader in AI readiness and regulatory maturity, supported by initiatives such as the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI), which links AI skills development to national competitiveness and long-term digital transformation.

The report, Navigating GCC AI Regulation: A Playbook for Building an AI-Literate & Compliant Workforce, examines AI regulation across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. It finds that Gulf countries increasingly view AI literacy as both a workforce development priority and a critical component of regulatory compliance. In Saudi Arabia, AI literacy is closely aligned with Vision 2030, positioning digital skills as a key driver of economic diversification and innovation.

Kais Zribi, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera, said organizations must equip employees with the skills to use AI responsibly, noting that AI proficiency is becoming essential for regulatory readiness, resilience, and innovation. He added that companies investing in workforce upskilling will be better positioned to adapt to evolving regulations while maximizing AI’s potential.

The report emphasizes that organizations should embed compliance into AI systems and training from the outset through role-based education covering privacy, cybersecurity, and AI governance. Saudi Arabia has also launched nationwide initiatives to strengthen AI capabilities, including a national AI curriculum introduced in 2025 that will reach six million students and includes guidance on the responsible use of generative AI. Meanwhile, SDAIA’s SAMAI initiative aims to train one million Saudis, while additional public-private partnerships are expanding access to AI education.

The report concludes that businesses that fail to prioritize AI literacy risk widening skills gaps, weakening compliance readiness, and reducing their competitiveness. It recommends embedding AI literacy into governance frameworks, aligning training with Saudization objectives, assessing AI capability gaps, and fostering a culture of continuous learning to support sustainable growth in an evolving regulatory landscape.