As the country strives to boost its investment towards Artificial Intelligence (AI), the third annual Global AI Summit (GAIN) in Riyadh concluded on a high, after the summit welcomed more than 30,000 delegates from across the globe over three days.
The live stream of the summit, organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), received 3.7m views. Building on the success of previous editions, GAIN 2024 featured more than 450 speakers from 100 countries, participating in 150 sessions. It also witnessed over 25 launches and announcements, and facilitated the signing of over 80 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Over recent years, Saudi Arabia’s AI workforce has expanded rapidly, reflecting the rising demand
for AI skills across various sectors. As of 2022, the number of AI specialists in Saudi Arabia has
reached 1,400 plus based on their job title, with a broader pool of 165,000 plus workers having at least two AI skills.
The demand for AI talent in the Saudi Market has increased, with job posts for AI-related positions
growing nearly by 54% each year from 2018 to 2022. During this period, the number of workers in
the market with AI skills has also increased by almost 51% annually.
The summit has grown exponentially since its inception in 2020. Its growing prominence reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing AI capabilities as it positions itself as a global leader in this space.
Over the past few years AI has been capturing global attention due to its potential contributions to enhancing economic performance, increasing productivity, reducing costs, and improving the efficiency of products and services across various sectors. As studies predict, AI is expected to add $15.7 trillion (about SAR 58.9 trillion) to the global economy by 2030.
“We are living in a time of scientific innovation, unprecedented technology, and unlimited growth prospects. These new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, if used optimally, can spare the world many disadvantages and can bring enormous benefits to the world,” said Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in his message quoted on the State of Saudi AI report released during the summit.
Saudi Arabia exemplifies its AI potential transformation, with $42+ billion (active investment in digital. This commitment was further underscored when Saudi Arabia’s tech sector attracted an additional $9.5 billion to support future technologies, digital entrepreneurship, and tech startups,
marking a significant achievement for the industry. These investments solidify the country’s position
as the largest digital market in the MENA region.
In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and foster innovation across various sectors, both government and private sectors are making significant strides in AI adoption and development. This progress is supported by strategic investments, targeted initiatives, and partnerships with local and global technical firms and research institutions. For instance, Zoho has invested $100+ million to support the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, educate and train the workforce, and build partnerships with big entities such as the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Monsha’at.
The key output from the summit was the need for governments and policy makers to take global action to ensure that AI technology evolves for the good of humanity. Central to responsible evolution is an ethical framework and robust governance.
To support the advancement of AI ethics and governance, SDAIA announced the Riyadh Charter of Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). This promotes ethical AI grounded in Islamic values and principles, as well as sustainable development through international cooperation.
SDAIA has played a pivotal role in forging key collaborations to strengthen local and regional AI solutions, signing MoUs with Microsoft Arabia to develop Arabic language models, IBM for a Center of Excellence in Generative AI technologies, and NVIDIA to scale AI infrastructure across the Kingdom.
The summit also marked several major milestones. Alongside the unveiling of ALLaM, the world’s most advanced Arabic Language Model, other diverse initiatives such as the Global AI Community, the THAKAI Platform, and guidelines for addressing deepfake technology.
Furthermore, the launch of the Generative AI Center of Excellence by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the agreement to open an International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) as a UNESCO Category 2 Center, further underscored the impact of GAIN 2024.
The summit itself provided the platform for companies from all over the world to showcase the latest AI technologies and innovations, including AI generated avatars, AI generated artwork, and even Robotic bar staff serving beverages.
The summit closed with an inspirational speech from the Director of Saudi Arabia’s National Information Center, His Excellency Dr. Esam Alwagait, in which he thanked participants:
“Your candid perspectives have not only inspired us with the vision of what lies ahead, but have also grounded us in the realities we must face. Together, we have not only imagined the future of AI, but have also made it real by addressing the challenges and identifying the enablers needed to truly unlock its potential.”
He added: “It has been incredibly inspiring to see the world come together here in Riyadh, united by momentum to make AI work for everyone. The commitment to collaborative action has been evident throughout the summit.”
The success of GAIN 2024 ensures that the Kingdom’s AI infrastructure will be significantly strengthened and has cemented Saudi Arabia position at the center of global AI.
The global race for AI supremacy is accelerating, with many countries striving to meet ambitious goals. While some may lag, focused investments in AI in areas like research and innovation, talent development, and infrastructure can transition nearly any country to the forefront.