SDAIA honors 52 recipients of AI professional badges at UNESCO forum

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) yesterday honored recipients of professional badges in data and artificial intelligence. The ceremony took place during the fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, hosted in Riyadh. The event was attended by SDAIA Deputy President Sami bin Abdullah Muqeem, alongside several officials, experts, and specialists in the field.

During the ceremony, Muqeem recognized 52 experts and specialists who received the badges, in appreciation of their scientific and professional contributions to data and AI, and their role in supporting and advancing the national ecosystem.

This recognition underscores the importance of valuing specialized talent and highlighting their expertise, which helps foster professional and scientific excellence, develop national capabilities, and enhance readiness to meet rapid developments and labor market needs.

The badges are awarded based on professional standards aligned with global best practices for assessing specialist competence. Recipients must pass dedicated exams that verify their knowledge, skills, and practical experience, making the badges a trusted indicator of professional proficiency in the field.

The badges are offered in two main career tracks: Data Scientist and AI Engineer. Each track features three progressive levels—Associate, Practitioner, and Expert—reflecting the specialist’s knowledge, experience, and professional competence.

These badges serve as a reliable tool for organizations to identify qualified talent in data and AI and benefit from their expertise according to their professional level. This supports aligning skills with labor market needs and encourages specialists to continue developing, innovating, and contributing to impactful projects.

The ceremony was part of the forum organized by SDAIA in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in collaboration with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), and coordinated with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. This marks the first time the platform is hosted in the Arab world, giving international prominence to the recognition of specialized talent and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s distinguished human capabilities in data and artificial intelligence.