1. Strategic Positioning and Core Vision

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a core pillar of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030; 66 of the 96 strategic objectives set out in the plan are in respect of AI and data. Saudi Arabia continues to combine large-scale investment and public-private partnerships with an increasingly detailed regulatory framework designed to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in responsible AI adoption.

2. Lead Agency and National Strategy

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) leads this agenda, including through the development of the National Strategy for Data & AI, of which one of the objectives is to “stimulate data and AI adoption through the creation of a collaborative and forward-thinking ecosystem that will drive commercialization and industry application of data and AI”. The SDAIA also has a dedicated National Center for Artificial Intelligence, which is tasked with AI research and solutions development, providing AI strategic advice to the government, and promoting AI education and awareness.

3. Regulatory Framework Evolution (2023-2025)

The AI regulatory landscape has evolved in 2024 and 2025. SDAIA finalised the AI Ethics Principles (September 2023) and followed with practical guidance for generative AI with the publication of the Generative AI Guidelines (January 2024). The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) entered into force with enforcement commencing after the one-year transition period (mid-September 2024). A draft Global AI Hub Law (April 2025) proposes a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive framework for ‘data embassies’ and AI hub categories in Saudi Arabia. Sectoral rules on media content, cybersecurity and competition continue to interact with AI deployments, and intellectual property policy is evolving to address AI-generated works.