The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved a new technological and pioneering milestone by ranking first in the Middle East and North Africa region in the 2025 Government AI Readiness Index. This ranking crowns the Kingdom’s tireless efforts in recent years to strengthen its digital infrastructure and adopt the latest future technologies, reflecting a firm governmental commitment to the transformation towards a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
This achievement is built upon the solid foundations laid by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which places digital transformation and artificial intelligence at the heart of its strategic priorities. This progress was not accidental, but rather the result of well-considered plans spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which has worked since its inception to regulate the data sector and enable AI technologies, in addition to launching the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the Kingdom a global hub in this field by 2030.
The importance of this index lies in assessing governments' ability to absorb and implement artificial intelligence technologies in their public services. The assessment is based on three main pillars: government, the technology sector, and data and infrastructure. The Kingdom has demonstrated remarkable excellence in these areas, particularly in digital governance, the availability of open data, and the development of national human resources capable of handling these advanced technologies.
On the economic front, this ranking carries significant implications; it enhances the Kingdom's attractiveness to foreign direct investment in the technology sector and encourages major international companies to establish their regional headquarters in Riyadh. Furthermore, the adoption of artificial intelligence contributes to increased efficiency in government spending, improved quality of services provided to citizens and residents, and faster decision-making based on accurate data.
Regionally and internationally, this leading position solidifies Saudi Arabia's status as an influential soft power in shaping the future of technology. The Kingdom regularly hosts global AI summits, making it a platform for global dialogue on AI ethics and legislation. Saudi Arabia's top ranking in the 2025 index is a strong indicator of its success in building a comprehensive and sustainable technological ecosystem capable of keeping pace with rapid global changes and competing with advanced economies.
