Arab News, Thursday October 22, 2020 / 5 , Rabi' al-awwal , 1442
Saudi Arabia’s $20bn bid to lead the world in artificial intelligence
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia launched an audacious multibillion-dollar strategy on Wednesday to
become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and data by 2030.
The aim is to train 20,000 specialists and experts, have 300 active startups and
attract $20 billion in national and foreign investment in data and AI.
“Saudi Arabia wants to set the best example globally in using AI for the
development of a nation,” Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, president of the Saudi
Data and AI Authority, told the Global AI Summit in Riyadh.
“The strategy aims to make Saudi Arabia the place where the best of data and
artificial intelligence is made reality … it sets the foundation and direction
upon which we will unlock the potential of data and AI to fulfill our national
transformation priorities and establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for data
and AI.”
Alghamdi said Saudi Arabia viewed the summit as an annual platform that would
look at AI in a fresh and positive way that “elevates international
collaboration over competition.”
“AI’s potential has led to fierce competition between nations to claim global
leadership … there has been an overly negative debate on the risks and dangers,”
he said.The inaugural summit aims to explore artificial intelligence’s role in
the new global era and how its transformational potential can be deployed “to
create a better future for all.”
Among the aims is accelerating AI for sustainable development in less wealthy
countries, Al-Ghamdi said, so that “no one is left is behind.” Saudi Arabia and
the World Bank have launched an initiative to enhance the digital economy in
developing countries and empower them to expedite AI technology.
Esam Al-Wagait, director of Saudi Arabia’s National Information Center, said the
agreement would forge partnerships to speed up AI development in less fortunate
African countries. Makhtar Diop, vice president for infrastructure at the World
Bank, said the partnerships would help the governments of those countries build
AI capabilities and set relevant development policies.
He said there was a focus on the African continent based on the common
intentions of the strategic partnership. This also aims to aid developing
countries and help them create innovative solutions to their economic and social
challenges, and contribute to enhancing the efficiency of all vital sectors in
these countries through AI.
Before the summit concludes on Thursday, global AI agreements and partnerships
will be signed, and the winners of the AI Artathon competition and NEOM
Challenge will be announced.