Riyadh: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in the global adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors. In a report issued following its Article IV consultation with the Kingdom, the IMF highlighted the potential for AI to increase Saudi Arabia's GDP growth rate by up to 6% in the coming years.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the report emphasizes that AI adoption in Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded into government services, healthcare, education, and financial technology. This expansion has contributed to the country's strong performance in international rankings, such as the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index.
Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global leader in AI development is a central aspect of Saudi Vision 2030, the report noted. This ambition is supported by the Kingdom's substantial digital transformation efforts, which include improved digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and the growth of the information and communications technology workforce.
The IMF report also acknowledged the contributions of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) through initiatives like the National Data and AI Strategy and the National AI Index (NAII). These efforts have attracted investment, developed AI talent, created a supportive regulatory environment, and expanded AI applications across economic sectors. Notably, most national AI targets related to workforce development and investment have already surpassed the interim goals set for 2025.
The report concluded that these achievements underline SDAIA's role as the national authority for data and AI, facilitating a data-driven economy, improving government service efficiency, and establishing governance frameworks that align with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives.