The Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Vision: Leading the Kingdom’s Journey toward Global Leadership

The emerging field of data and artificial intelligence (AI) and its noticeable expansion has motivated nations to transition from traditional economic models to learning economies using these technologies. In April 2016, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud introduced Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 that identifies the long-term goals and expectations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was established in August 2019 by a Royal Decree to facilitate the transition and help achieve Vision 2030’s goals and reach KSA’s fullest potentials. SDAIA’s core mandate is to support and drive the data and AI agenda within the Kingdom, and its vision is to position KSA as a global leader in the elite league of data-driven economies. To properly fulfill its mandate, SDAIA announced in October 2020 the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI) with an ambitious vision put in place “Where the best of Data and AI is made reality”.