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Saudi Arabia Declares 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence

Mahdi H
Mahdi H
Mar. 11, 2026
Saudi AI(Image for illustration purposes)

Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved the designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence. The initiative reflects the Kingdom’s growing ambition to position itself as a global hub for data and AI under Vision 2030, with strong backing from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has spearheaded the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, built around six key pillars: ambition, capabilities, policies, investment, innovation, and ecosystem development.

AI logo

SDAIA has launched the official logo for the Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026, after it was approved by the Cabinet.

The initiative highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence, strengthening its position as a global centre for data and AI, and showcasing major progress in this rapidly evolving sector.

The logo incorporates symbolic elements: the palm tree reflects the national emblem and Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, while the letters “AI” represent the technological innovation and digital transformation driving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.

Saudi Arabia’s advancements in data and artificial intelligence are increasingly reflected in global rankings. The Kingdom placed 14th in the 2025 Global AI Index and leads the Arab world in AI model development. Investment in the sector has also accelerated, with government spending on emerging technologies rising by more than 56 percent in 2024, while AI-focused companies attracted $9.1 billion in funding.

Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), expressed his appreciation to Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the Cabinet’s decision to designate 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence in the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi said the decision reflects the Crown Prince’s vision to enhance the Kingdom’s global leadership in advanced technologies. He described the initiative as a significant step toward building national momentum around innovation and advancing the role of artificial intelligence in shaping a smarter and more sustainable future.

He added that the Year of Artificial Intelligence underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for the benefit of humanity and improving quality of life. It also reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global hub for emerging technologies and to play a leading role in international dialogue on artificial intelligence.

Globally, Saudi Arabia has expanded its role in the artificial intelligence landscape. The Kingdom became the first Arab country to join the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and is home to the UNESCO-backed International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh.