SDAIA Launches Five Saudi Data AI Frameworks
SDAIA has launched five new frameworks to strengthen data and artificial intelligence capabilities across Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority announced the frameworks on September 17, 2026, during the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh.
The frameworks cover schools, universities, training programs, professional development, and workforce competencies. Together, they set standards for learning outcomes, program quality, professional skills, and responsible AI use.
SDAIA Launches Five Frameworks for Saudi Data and AI Skills
Saudi Arabia’s SDAIA has launched five frameworks to build national capabilities in data and artificial intelligence. The authority introduced them during the UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics in Riyadh.
The initiative spans general education, higher education, vocational training, and professional development. Moreover, it aims to connect education and training more closely with labour market requirements.
The frameworks also promote responsible use of data and AI. As a result, they address both technical skills and the standards needed to apply these technologies appropriately.
Five Frameworks Cover Education and Workforce Skills
The first framework sets standards for data and AI training programs. SDAIA developed it with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. It defines quality requirements and aligns training content with labour market needs and national regulations.
The second framework establishes standards for academic data and AI programs. SDAIA developed it with the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. It covers learning outcomes, knowledge units, and requirements for different qualification levels.
Meanwhile, the third framework focuses on K-12 education. Developed with the National Curriculum Centre, it defines core learning outcomes for students. It also provides guidance for responsible AI use by students and teachers.
The fourth framework addresses professional standards. SDAIA developed it with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, through the Digital Sector Skills Council. It defines relevant professions, roles, and competencies within data and AI.
Finally, the fifth framework establishes a data and AI curriculum for university students across disciplines. It defines minimum learning outcomes for working with data and using AI responsibly. It also aims to improve students’ readiness for the future labour market.
Frameworks Link Education With Labour Needs
The five frameworks create a connected structure across different stages of learning and professional development. As a result, students can build relevant skills before entering the workforce.
The approach also creates clearer expectations for education and training providers. Professional standards can also help organisations identify the competencies required for data and AI roles.
SDAIA’s latest initiative builds on its wider national capability-building efforts. Earlier, the authority reported that more than 1.56 million people had benefited from its data and AI training programs. This included 14,495 specialists and experts in the field.
In addition, SDAIA has expanded AI education into Saudi public schools. A national AI curriculum began across public education levels during the 2025–2026 academic year.
The authority has also introduced professional badges for AI engineers and data scientists. These credentials use a three-level assessment structure covering Assistant, Associate, and Expert proficiency.
Saudi Arabia Expands Data and AI Capacity Building
The new frameworks arrive during Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Year of Artificial Intelligence. They also support the country’s broader human-capital development efforts under Vision 2030.
At the UNESCO forum, SDAIA and international experts also examined how the frameworks could move from policy into implementation. The discussion focused on practical mechanisms, strategic partnerships, and ways to keep the frameworks adaptable as AI develops.
The framework approach also places responsible AI alongside technical education. That includes preparing students, trainees, and professionals to use data and AI effectively while following relevant standards.
The five frameworks therefore establish a common structure for developing data and AI capabilities across Saudi Arabia’s education and workforce systems. Their implementation will determine how effectively those standards translate into training, academic programs, and professional skills.
