Riyadh, September 9, 2024, SPA – The President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, has reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN Summit), Dr. Al-Ghamdi highlighted the alignment of the event with the aspirations of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the SDAIA Board of Directors. The summit aims to accelerate the Kingdom’s AI leadership, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
During the press conference, Dr. Al-Ghamdi emphasized the summit’s role in showcasing Saudi Arabia’s significant progress in AI under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince. He noted that the Kingdom has made remarkable strides in leveraging AI for the benefit of humanity and in advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has worked to place Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the data and AI sectors, organizing the first Global AI Summit in 2020. The summit introduced the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, further solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a leader in the knowledge-based economy. As a result, Saudi Arabia achieved a top ranking globally in AI Government Strategies.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi also outlined the agenda for the upcoming summit, which will address key themes such as AI ethics, human-centric approaches, and advancements in generative AI. He announced that over 456 distinguished speakers, including experts from more than 100 countries, will participate in 150 sessions. The summit has attracted more than 32,000 registrants and will feature the launch of 25 local and international initiatives, the signing of 70 agreements and memoranda of understanding, and the debut of AI-related events, including the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (IAIO).
The summit will further host GAINx, in collaboration with four Saudi universities, as well as an international consultation on AI governance in partnership with the United Nations and ICESCO. Additionally, the summit will explore cutting-edge AI applications in sectors like healthcare, energy, and urban development, underscoring AI’s role in transforming these industries.
Dr. Esam Al-Wagait, Director of the National Information Center, elaborated on the economic impact of AI, highlighting projections that AI could contribute $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030. He noted that organizations leveraging AI for decision-making have significantly reduced operational expenses. The integration of AI into cities and healthcare is also expected to revolutionize these sectors, with AI-based medical devices now gaining widespread approval.
The CEO of the National Center for AI (NCAI), Yaser Al-Onaizan, highlighted the summit’s unique position as a global forum, bringing together academic researchers, economic decision-makers, and government officials to discuss the future of AI and its societal impact. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s strategic location and leadership in AI make it an ideal platform for fostering international dialogue on the ethical use of AI and its role in shaping a sustainable future.
The third edition of the Global AI Summit promises to be a landmark event in AI discourse, focusing on exploring the current and future potential of AI while addressing the ethical challenges of its deployment across industries and sectors worldwide.
