Saudi Arabia Among Top Ten in Global Private AI Investment

Riyadh: The World Bank has ranked Saudi Arabia among the top ten countries globally in private investment in artificial intelligence. The World Development Report 2026 highlights the Kingdom's significant role in advancing AI technologies, with particular emphasis on the efforts of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the report underscores the Kingdom's strides in building an integrated data system and facilitating its integration across government agencies, making it a benchmark for digital infrastructure development in AI and data management. SDAIA's initiative has successfully integrated data from over 60 government entities, fostering organized data exchange among these entities. The World Bank report also positions Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global AI landscape, noting its appeal as a destination for specialized talent. This is part of a broader national strategy under Saudi Vision 2030 to promote an economy driven by data, com puting, and innovation. In terms of talent acquisition, the report highlights that in 2025, Saudi Arabia recorded significant success in attracting AI specialists, ranking among the top economies with the highest net flow rates of AI professionals per 10,000 LinkedIn members. The Kingdom achieved a net flow of 3.08 in the elite category of AI talents, showcasing its technological environment as a magnet for high-caliber expertise. The release of this report coincides with the designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence in Saudi Arabia, signaling the nation's commitment to leveraging AI technologies to bolster development, innovation, and competitiveness in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.