SDAIA President: Year of Artificial Intelligence Reflects HRH the Crown Prince's Vision to Strengthen Saudi Global Tech Leadership

Riyadh, March 10, 2026, SPA -- President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi expressed appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and Chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors, following the Cabinet’s decision to designate 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence in the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi said the decision reflects HRH the Crown Prince’s vision to strengthen the Kingdom’s global standing in advanced technologies. He described it as an important step toward creating national momentum around innovation and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping a smarter and more sustainable future.

He added that the Year of Artificial Intelligence demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies to serve humanity and improve the quality of life. It also highlights the Kingdom’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global hub for emerging technologies and as an influential voice in international discussions on artificial intelligence.

Al-Ghamdi noted that artificial intelligence has become a major driver of the global economy. Many leading nations increasingly rely on AI to boost economic growth, enhance the quality of life, and improve the efficiency of vital sectors.

He called on all segments of society, along with public and private sector institutions, to participate actively in the Kingdom’s Year of Artificial Intelligence. He described it as a national milestone marking a new phase in the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey.

Al-Ghamdi emphasized that the initiative offers an opportunity to unify national efforts and showcase Saudi Arabia’s growing capabilities in data and artificial intelligence. He said it positions the Kingdom as a global platform that attracts international attention and supports the leadership’s vision of building a prosperous, data-driven, and AI-powered economy.