New York City: The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) participated on Tuesday in the United Nations Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum), which took place at the UN headquarters.
According to Saudi Press Agency, SDAIA’s involvement occurred during the STI Forum Action Day focused on ‘Advancing the Global Digital Compact (GDC).’ This event marked the first forum since the adoption of the compact. The annual forum, convened by the president of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), seeks to initiate a global dialogue among multiple stakeholders to transform GDC commitments into actionable plans that support the Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure.
SDAIA took part in a session titled ‘Governing Data for AI: Reimagining the Global Digital Economy.’ This session examined the role of data governance in constructing a fair and inclusive digital economy. It emphasized leveraging digital transformation beyond merely acting as data providers. During the session, SDAIA Deputy Chief Strategy Officer Abdulrahman Habib underscored the significance of enhancing policies for data management as a strategic pillar for sustainable economic growth. He highlighted SDAIA’s initiatives in formulating regulatory and legislative frameworks for data in Saudi Arabia, building advanced digital infrastructure, empowering national competencies, and accelerating innovation in AI applications.