Tourism: Saudi Arabia is a trusted global partner in artificial intelligence
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has solidified its position as a trusted global partner and a key player in building the artificial intelligence ecosystem, emphasizing the Kingdom's readiness to lead this technological transformation in the "age of intelligence." This came during his active participation in a dialogue session entitled "Artificial Intelligence for Global Prosperity: Aligning Innovation, Inclusion, and Trust," held as part of the "Saudi House" events on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Saudi Arabia's pillars of strength in the digital economy
Al-Swaha highlighted the strategic advantages that give the Kingdom a unique global competitive edge, based on four main pillars: abundant sustainable energy resources, strong capital and investment capacity, advanced digital infrastructure, and a qualified national workforce. He explained that these factors combined create a fertile environment for global innovators and investors, providing them with unprecedented opportunities for rapid expansion and accelerated access to economic and technological value.
Vision 2030 and the shift towards an innovation economy
In discussing the broader context of this trend, the Minister pointed out that the Kingdom's current achievements in artificial intelligence and advanced cloud computing are not accidental, but rather the result of an ambitious strategic vision led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and with the direct follow-up and unlimited support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect them both. This vision aims to diversify the sources of the national economy and transform the Kingdom into a global hub for technology and innovation, serving humanity and protecting the planet.
From the energy age to the computing age
Engineer Al-Sawah presented a profound historical perspective, explaining that the 20th century was shaped by the ability to produce and manage energy, while the 21st century is being shaped by the ability to "compute" and develop artificial intelligence algorithms. He emphasized that the gap that previously existed in the energy sector has now transformed into a gap in computing capabilities, and this is where the Kingdom's pivotal role becomes evident.
As the world’s largest reliable energy provider, Saudi Arabia has a major responsibility to bridge this digital divide by investing heavily in data centers and advanced computing, and addressing the technical challenges related to chip architecture and memory, to ensure the building of a sustainable and scalable artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Practical applications to serve humanity
Al-Swaha concluded by highlighting the Kingdom's pioneering initiatives in employing artificial intelligence in vital sectors such as healthcare, energy, and advanced chemistry. These initiatives not only aim to enhance economic efficiency but also seek to provide innovative solutions to global challenges, thus reinforcing the concept of "AI for good" and ensuring a prosperous and inclusive future for all.
