National innovation initiatives are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI). The deep-learning method in AI offers remarkable applications at both the macro- and micro-levels of society. AI is a component of strategic leverage as well. Global actors engage in forward-thinking R&D initiatives, mirroring a global competition for industry leadership. Countries with less developed indigenous technology see AI as a chance to stand out globally and follow their goals for innovation and prosperity, whereas the US and China possess huge interests in technological progression scenarios.
A Kingdom’s Vision
An example is Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s ambition to transform into a knowledge-based society, diversify its oil-based economy, and establish itself as a center for technological advancement is called Vision 2030, and AI is one of its key pillars. Surprisingly, 70 percent of the 96 strategic goals in Vision 2030 have a direct relationship with AI. Saudi Arabia has spearheaded a coordinated effort to develop its technical skills and build a domestic AI-enabled digital ecosystem by 2030, fueled by a 5G-enabled national ICT infrastructure and a significant increase in data utilization.
A Grand Strategy for AI
Saudi Arabia has greater aspirations for AI than a city. The full-scale transformation of its political and economic systems to an age of AI-driven governance is part of Vision 2030. The Kingdom established the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in August 2019. This public organization aims to create and implement national data and AI initiatives. There are three SDAIA centers:
- The National Data Management Office (NDMO) covers data, AI regulations, and standards.
- The National Information Center (NIC) is the operator of data infrastructure and AI-powered analytics.
- The National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), the driver of AI innovations, provides strategic advice to public bodies and promotes AI expertise.
MOU Between SDAIA & STC Group
To enhance artificial intelligence (AI) and digital solutions in Saudi Arabia, the STC Group and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MOU, signed in Riyadh during the Global AI Summit, aims to localize digital solutions and share expertise and experiences in data management and governance.
As part of the agreement, STC will assist startups in adhering to data governance and putting in place a framework for protecting personal data and supporting data quality internationally within quality standards.
It will contribute to accelerating the rate of compliance with data regulations at the national level, along with activating awareness messages to protect personal data.
The agreement would call for offering charities that are listed on the “Ehsan” platform products and services on the STC’s sustainability platform. Additionally, it will assist NGO programs and initiatives that SDAIA has embraced.
Additionally, the alliance will work to create specialized volunteer initiatives, environmental services, and goods, as well as conduct assessments of leaders’, workers’, and trainees’ skills.
Through the STC Academy, the MoU will also enable knowledge exchange and professional development programs to hasten young people’s advancement in the sectors of data and artificial intelligence.
“Our partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority confirms STC’s role in enabling the digital system for artificial intelligence, by disseminating research and development, and enhancing the digital capabilities through strategic partnerships to accelerate the transformation stages and transition to reliance on artificial intelligence, to support the digital economy in Kingdom,” said engineer Olayan Alwetaid, Group CEO of STC.
The World Bank’s Digital Development Partnership is a collaboration between the public and private sectors that aims to assist developing countries in utilizing digital innovations to address some of their most difficult problems. In other news, SDAIA announced Global AI Summit that it had joined the partnership. Saudi Arabia will assist initiatives to improve data capabilities, hasten digital technologies, and share its experience and talents to realize sustainable growth and economic development in its position as a new member of this alliance.
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