Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, recently emphasized the Saudi leadership’s commitment to international cooperation in bridging social and economic gaps through the use of artificial intelligence. Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in this area, Al-Swaha discussed the country’s collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union to address the digital gap affecting 2.6 billion people. Saudi Arabia has presented innovative solutions such as the virtual hospital, which has performed specialized surgeries, including open-heart surgeries, for patients worldwide.
During Saudi Arabia’s speech at the Future Summit, Al-Swaha revealed the country’s initiative to establish the Digital Cooperation Organization. This organization aims to bridge social and economic gaps, serving over 800 million people and supporting a three and a half trillion-dollar economic bloc. The organization will provide digital platforms and a unified digital market to promote innovation in health, education, and business models, ultimately boosting efficiency and fostering the growth of the digital economy. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is a member of the Advisory Council for Artificial Intelligence, demonstrating its commitment to empowering humanity through technological advancements.
Al-Swaha outlined seven key recommendations to advance artificial intelligence governance, including the creation of an international scientific committee, the launch of intergovernmental dialogues, the establishment of a platform for exchanging standards and expertise, and the development of a global network for capacity building. Saudi Arabia has also announced several partnerships and frameworks to enhance its work in the field of artificial intelligence, such as the TomTom AI Framework in collaboration with the United Nations, the International Centre for Research and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence in partnership with UNESCO, and the AI Readiness Framework in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union.
As part of these efforts, Saudi Arabia unveiled the Charter for the Future and the Global Digital Charter, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy to empower humanity and ensure global inclusivity. Al-Swaha urged international collaboration towards this shared goal of leveraging artificial intelligence for the betterment of society and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital transformation. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence and bridging social and economic gaps through cooperation exemplifies the country’s dedication to embracing innovative technologies for the benefit of all.
