Saudi Arabia helps shape vision for ethical, open AI at Kyoto forum

Saudi Arabia participated in a meeting of research institution leaders in Kyoto, Japan, held on the sidelines of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum, with leaders from 33 global research organizations in attendance. The meeting addressed the transformations artificial intelligence is bringing to scientific research and the future of knowledge production.

The Kingdom was represented by the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Acting Governor of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Desouki, who joined the STS Forum Council—reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on international scientific and technological platforms.

The meeting, titled “Integrity and Openness of Artificial Intelligence,” explored opportunities for AI to accelerate scientific discovery, as well as challenges related to knowledge reliability, access to computing power and advanced infrastructure, data sovereignty, model openness, and protection of researchers’ intellectual contributions.

Joint statement emphasizes integrity and global cooperation

The leaders concluded by issuing a joint statement underscoring the importance of developing a scientific ecosystem that leverages AI’s potential while maintaining research integrity and openness, and promoting international collaboration to ensure broader and fairer access to modern scientific tools.

The statement stressed the need to balance data sovereignty with open AI models and to expand access to advanced research infrastructure to reduce gaps between institutions and scientific communities.

It also addressed AI’s impact on the nature of scientific discovery, the importance of fair recognition for researchers’ contributions, and the need to keep humans at the center of research and creativity, positioning AI as a tool to enhance scientists’ capabilities.

Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on global platforms

Research leaders affirmed that the rapid development of AI requires deeper international cooperation and the establishment of principles that foster integrity and trust in its use, supporting responsible research and directing technology to benefit people and society.

Saudi Arabia’s participation reflects its advancing role in the global research, development, and innovation ecosystem, its contributions to international dialogues on the future of science and emerging technologies, and its efforts to strengthen partnerships with leading research institutions.