World Bank hails Saudi Arabia as global model for AI governance

The World Bank has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in data governance and the development of national infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence and computing capabilities, in its Middle East and North Africa regional economic report released in October 2026, titled "From Gap to Opportunity: Artificial Intelligence, Jobs, and Growth."

The report noted that Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), has made significant progress in building a national ecosystem for data and AI. It described the Saudi experience as a reference point for developing institutional models for data and AI governance, emphasizing the role of institutional integration and national support in accelerating capacity building in the sector.

SDAIA’s experience sets an example

The report dedicated a case study to SDAIA’s experience, examining its role in governing the national data ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of AI technologies through the National Data Management Office, the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, and the National Information Center. The study confirmed the regulatory, developmental, and technical roles these entities play in supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.

Adoption rates surpass global standards

The World Bank added that the adoption rate of AI technologies among Saudi enterprises reached about 28% in 2024, surpassing the OECD average of 20% in 2025. The highest adoption rates were recorded in the telecommunications, information technology, financial, and insurance sectors.

In the same context, the report cited an International Finance Corporation study showing that AI adoption reached 100% among companies headquartered in Saudi Arabia.

Global progress in AI indicators

The report also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s advancement in the AI Index published by Stanford University, recognizing the Kingdom as a global leader in developing advanced AI models and one of the region’s pioneers in the field.

Strengthening infrastructure and governance

The World Bank commended SDAIA’s efforts to develop the national data infrastructure through the Data Bank, which enhances data integration and exchange between entities, supporting the development of reliable AI applications and reducing data duplication and fragmentation.

On governance, the report highlighted progress in developing regulatory frameworks for data governance and protection, including the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Law and the development of national standards and controls. It also noted the National Data Index, which monitors government entities’ compliance with data management regulations, and the National AI Index, which measures government readiness to adopt AI technologies.

Building human capacity in AI

The report pointed to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build human capacity in AI, citing SDAIA’s "SMAI" initiative, which exceeded its target by training more than 1.2 million people in AI skills. This achievement, the report said, reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to broadening knowledge and making skills accessible to a wide segment of society.

The World Bank concluded by emphasizing the importance of Saudi Arabia’s experience in establishing reliable national foundations for data and AI. It stated that effective data governance is a cornerstone for supporting digital transformation, fostering innovation, and developing safe and responsible AI applications, and that the Saudi model offers a valuable reference for countries seeking to develop their own national ecosystems in this field.