Tourism: Saudi Arabia is a global hub for artificial intelligence, supported by the Crown Prince

Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thanks to the unlimited support and wise guidance of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - may God protect him - continues to consolidate its position as a leading global power in the fields of technology and innovation, specifically in the artificial intelligence sector, which has become the main driver of future economies.

An ambitious vision and a comprehensive digital transformation

This rapid technological advancement aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and building a knowledge-based economy. The Kingdom's ambition is no longer limited to simply adopting modern technologies; it now extends to manufacturing and exporting them, making it a major attraction for leading global technology companies and investors in the digital sector.

Pillars of strength: computing, capital, and customers

During his participation in a panel discussion at the Microsoft AI Tour in Riyadh, Al-Swaha explained that the Kingdom's leadership in the artificial intelligence race is based on three integrated strategic elements: computing infrastructure, the availability of venture capital, and a broad and growing customer base. He pointed out that these enablers have made the Kingdom an ideal launchpad for companies seeking global expansion.

Record numbers in the digital economy

The Minister of Communications presented figures that reflect the scale of the achievement, noting that the capacity of data centers in the Kingdom jumped from less than 80 megawatts to more than 440 megawatts, a tremendous increase that reflects the readiness of the digital infrastructure. He also pointed to the growth of the Saudi digital economy, which has reached nearly $140 billion, contributing more than 50% to the growth of the digital economy in the entire Middle East and North Africa region, with the birth of eight billion-dollar technology companies (unicorns) in the Kingdom.

Investing in national minds and talents

In discussing human development, Al-Swaha emphasized that the true focus has always been on national talent, noting the sector's significant leap in the number of skilled technical professionals from 150,000 to over 406,000. This substantial increase transforms the Kingdom into one of the largest hubs for technology and human talent in the region, enhancing its ability to lead the smart era with national innovations.

Bridging the three global gaps

The minister touched on the pivotal role the Kingdom plays in addressing global challenges in the artificial intelligence sector, noting the work being done to bridge three key gaps:

• The computing gap: by providing sustainable and reliable energy sources to power massive data centers.
• The algorithm gap: By developing advanced Arabic language models that serve more than 400 million Arabic speakers, thus enhancing digital Arabic content.
• Data gap: By integrating theoretical training and practical application to ensure the accuracy and reliability of smart solutions in vital sectors.

Al-Swaha concluded his remarks by emphasizing that strategic partnerships with technology giants, such as Microsoft, confirm the Kingdom’s commitment to building an integrated system that drives the growth of the smart economy and consolidates Riyadh’s role as a global digital capital for the 21st century.