Saudi Arabia has ranked fifth globally and first in the Arab world for growth in the artificial intelligence sector in the latest Global AI Index, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s expanding role in the field.

The ranking reflects the country’s steady progress in AI development and the impact of national strategies aimed at strengthening competitiveness under Saudi Vision 2030.

During the assessment period, the Kingdom launched a series of initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, reinforcing its position in the index.

Among them was the Rowad Package, a program that supports entrepreneurs and startups by enabling secure customer data verification through links to the National Information Center’s databases.

The authority also introduced the AI Ethics Incentive Badges initiative to promote responsible technology use and encourage alignment with global ethical standards. More than 50 accreditation certificates have been issued to national AI companies for products aligned with priority sectors.

The generative Gaia AI accelerator, supported by SDAIA, the National Technology Development Program, and New Native, has helped startups scale faster and accelerate market entry.

Capacity building has been another priority. Through the SDAIA Academy, the authority has equipped young Saudis with advanced data and AI skills through programs delivered in partnership with global institutions. More than one million Saudis have been trained under the SAMAI initiative, one of the world’s largest population-wide training efforts in this field.

Collectively, these measures highlight SDAIA’s growing role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s data and AI ecosystem and advancing the Kingdom’s ambition to lead technology-driven economic development.