Saudi Arabia has officially declared 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI), reinforcing national ambitions to strengthen global technology leadership and innovation.
Moreover, the initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s strategy to position the kingdom as a global hub for data and advanced technologies. The announcement aligns closely with Vision 2030 objectives that encourage digital transformation, economic diversification and technology-driven development across national sectors.
Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s AI strategy
Khaled Ahmed Sharbatly, CEO of Desert Technologies, welcomed the decision and described it as an important national milestone. He explained that the declaration reflects Saudi Arabia’s forward-looking strategy to accelerate AI adoption across key industries. Additionally, AI will strengthen economic growth while improving efficiency across sectors that include energy, healthcare and digital services nationwide.
Expanding the national data and AI ecosystem
The Saudi Data and AI Authority continues to build a comprehensive ecosystem, enabling organizations to use advanced technologies effectively. Consequently, both public- and private-sector entities are currently expanding digital capabilities that support innovation, investment and national competitiveness.
Saudi Arabia’s growing global AI position
Notably, national strategy programs have already strengthened Saudi Arabia’s global rankings within the international AI landscape. Furthermore, government spending on AI increased significantly, while Saudi companies secured billions in funding across numerous investment deals. Moreover, more than 664 companies now operate within the Saudi Arabia data and AI sector, bolstering private sector participation nationwide.
