Saudi Arabia at Davos 2026: Leading the Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Al-Swaha, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, represents a pivotal milestone reflecting the Kingdom's prestigious standing as an influential force in shaping the global digital economy. He noted that this strong presence comes with the direct support and empowerment of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the diligent follow-up of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, thus embodying the Kingdom's leading role in formulating innovative solutions to global technological challenges.
A qualitative leap towards the smart age
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Swaha explained that the Kingdom is participating not only as a guest but also as a strategic partner aiming to share its pioneering national experience in transitioning from traditional digital transformation to the "smart age." During the forum, the Kingdom will showcase its remarkable achievements in building a competitive economy based on data and artificial intelligence—an experience that has become a model to be emulated regionally and internationally, especially given the significant strides the Kingdom has made in the United Nations' indicators for e-government development and digital infrastructure.
Global context and strategic partnerships
This participation comes at a time when the world is witnessing a fierce race to adopt generative artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies. This underscores the importance of Saudi Arabia's presence in Davos to open new avenues for partnerships and investments with technology giants and private sector leaders. Through this international platform, the Kingdom seeks to enhance its attractiveness as a leading destination for technology investments, leveraging its strategic geographic location and advanced infrastructure, into which billions have been invested in recent years.
Vision 2030: The Engine of Sustainable Innovation
The Minister emphasized that the Kingdom continues to solidify its position as a global hub for digital innovation, building upon the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, spearheaded by the Crown Prince. This vision is no longer merely a plan; it has become a tangible reality through mega-projects such as NEOM and The Line, which rely entirely on smart technologies and clean energy, making them living laboratories for the future of humanity. Building an integrated ecosystem for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies directly contributes to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
International commitment to an inclusive digital future
Engineer Al-Swaha concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the alignment of the Kingdom's national objectives with the World Economic Forum's agenda reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to its international responsibilities. The Kingdom not only seeks to achieve its national interests but also plays an active role in advancing international dialogue towards establishing standards and ethics for artificial intelligence, and in building strategic partnerships that ensure the technological revolution serves all of humanity, thus contributing to shared prosperity and building a more inclusive and sustainable digital future for everyone.
