Prime Highlights-
- The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has released a comprehensive study on the state of AI in the Kingdom.
- Saudi Arabia ranks third in the world for AI talent growth rate in the 2026 Stanford HAI Index.
Key Facts-
- 90% of public entities have an AI strategy, and 97% are deploying or building AI tools.
- Saudi Arabia officially joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence in 2026.
Background-
A new study from the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) looks at how far artificial intelligence (AI) has come in Saudi Arabia. Released on 12 November 2026, the study looks at the Kingdom’s progress across seven main pillars, split into 15 sub-pillars.
The pillars include regulation, investment, digital infrastructure, data governance, human capital, research and innovation, and adoption by institutions.
The report points to Saudi Arabia’s strong standing on global rankings. The Kingdom placed third worldwide for AI talent growth in the 2026 Stanford HAI Index. In the 2025 edition, it also came third globally and first in the region for building leading AI models.
Government bodies have moved well ahead in using AI. According to the study, 90% of public entities now have an AI strategy, and 97% are either using or building AI tools.
About 77% have formal AI governance in place, while 63% follow SDAIA’s national AI principles. Almost half of the entities using AI (48%) said their internal efficiency rose by more than 10%.
Young Saudis are making their mark too. The Kingdom won 26 awards at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth. In 2026, Saudi Arabia also became an official member of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
SDAIA drives the country’s data and AI agenda under Vision 2030. The study shows Saudi Arabia turning its plans into results and building its place as a hub for AI talent, innovation and responsible use.
