IMF lauds Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in AI adoption
An IMF report commended Saudi Arabia for leading globally in AI adoption across sectors, highlighting its positive impact on economic growth.
Key Takeaways
AIA report issued by the International Monetary Fund at the conclusion of its Article IV consultations with Saudi Arabia for 2026 praised the Kingdom’s global leadership in adopting artificial intelligence across multiple sectors, noting that this adoption is expected to boost Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth rate by up to 6% in the coming period.
The report stated that Saudi Arabia’s embrace of AI extends to government services, healthcare, education, and financial technology, which has contributed to the Kingdom’s ranking among the world’s top performers in several international indices, including the United Nations E-Government Development Index and the Oxford Government AI Readiness Index.
It added that positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of global AI adoption and development is a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. This ambition builds on the Kingdom’s significant digital transformation in recent years, including enhancements to digital infrastructure, regulatory development, and growth of the workforce in the communications and information technology sector.
The report also highlighted the efforts of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), particularly the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence launched in 2020 and the National AI Index. These initiatives are attracting investment, developing AI talent, creating an enabling regulatory environment, and expanding AI applications across economic sectors. The report noted that most national AI targets—especially those related to workforce and domestic and foreign direct investment—have already surpassed the interim goals set for 2025.
These achievements reflect SDAIA’s ongoing role as the national authority for data and AI in Saudi Arabia, enabling a data-driven economy, enhancing government service efficiency, and building governance and regulatory frameworks that support the responsible use of advanced technologies, all contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.