Baku: The AI Index for the Islamic World, launched by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) on Tuesday in Baku, Azerbaijan, is among the key recommendations of the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, announced at the third edition of the Global AI Summit 2024 in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the charter aims to establish a comprehensive framework aligned with Islamic values and principles for the development of AI technologies. It advances AI ethics and encourages governments, policymakers, research centers, and international organizations in the Islamic world to exchange ideas and expertise on the future of AI applications and to promote the use of modern technologies in a manner consistent with shared global human values.
A high-level session was held during the launch ceremony in Baku, featuring Spokesperson of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) Dr. Majid Al-Shehri, who said the Riyadh Charter established essential principles, noting that the index will transform these principles into measurable indicators, standards, and practical roadmaps to assess countries' readiness and progress in adopting AI.
He added that the Kingdom is leading international efforts through the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), which has become a global platform for ethical dialogue and research in AI and developing human capabilities. He noted that the Kingdom has launched the National AI Index (NAII) to measure the maturity of AI applications across government entities. The index covers key dimensions such as governance, digital infrastructure, human capital, data quality, applications, and realized impact.
A total of 53 Islamic countries, members of ICESCO, unanimously approved the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World during the organization's 45th Executive Council session in March 2025, describing it as a milestone in establishing a shared ethical and strategic framework for AI across the Islamic world.