Saudi Arabia’s strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) is getting noticed. The country, which has demonstrated a commitment to developing AI and established the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) for organizing, developing, and overseeing all AI-related matters, has been ranked first globally in the “government strategy” sector in Tortoise Intelligence’s Government Strategy Index for Artificial Intelligence.

The report evaluated 62 countries worldwide, with Germany and China taking second and third place, respectively, in the government strategy sector.

Researchers measured the ranking based on analysis centered around three main pillars namely investment, innovation and implementation. The pillars are then broken down to score each country based on progress in seven aspects, such as talent, infrastructure and government strategy.

The index comes from a range of 28 different data sources, such as government reports, public databases from international organizations, think tanks and private companies to measure national ecosystems that determine capacity for AI.

Overall, the kingdom ranked 31st in Tortoise’s total classification indicators. The US came in first, scoring 100 out of 100 in generating talent, infrastructure, research, development and commercial investment for AI. In second place is China with an overall score of 61.5, while Singapore is ranked third with an overall score of 50.

Saudi Arabia has allocated $20 billion to advancing AI, and the country’s market for Big Data and AI is expected to grow at a CAGR of 32.6% and reach $891.74 million by 2026. 

In April, Saudi Arabia ranked second globally for societal awareness of AI, according to the 2023 Artificial Intelligence Index Report by Stanford University.

The report suggests a high confidence rate among Saudi citizens when dealing with AI products and services. The kingdom ranked second globally, after China, in terms of people’s positivity and optimism toward AI technology.