Riyadh: The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) contributed to Saudi Arabia's strong performance in artificial intelligence indicators in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, published by the International Institute for Management Development.
According to Saudi Press Agency, SDAIA's efforts have supported the adoption of AI technologies, raised awareness, and strengthened confidence in advanced technologies among society and the business sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Kingdom ranked 13th globally among 70 countries included in the report and third among G20 economies, reflecting progress made during Saudi Arabia's Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026. The achievement highlights the Kingdom's growing leadership in data and AI and supports its transition toward a knowledge- and technology-driven economy.
Saudi Arabia ranked fourth globally in AI adoption by companies, supported by SDAIA initiatives including the Rowad Package, AI Ethics Incentive Badges, and the Generative AI Accelerator (GAIA), which help companies adopt advanced technologies and develop innovative solutions.
The Kingdom also ranked fourth globally in societal access to artificial intelligence, driven by SDAIA's efforts to spread digital knowledge and build national capabilities. These efforts include the SDAIA Academy for Data and AI, the SAMAI program to train one million Saudis in AI, the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI), and public-awareness initiatives related to artificial intelligence.
In AI trust indicators, Saudi Arabia ranked fifth globally, supported by regulatory frameworks and initiatives developed by SDAIA, including NSDAI, AI Ethics Incentive Badges, the National AI Index (NAII), and the Artificial Intelligence Adoption Framework. These initiatives promote the responsible use of AI and strengthen the Kingdom's position in digital governance.
Saudi Arabia also ranked fifth globally in corporate investment in AI, reflecting efforts to create an enabling environment for innovation and investment. SDAIA's initiatives, including NSDAI and the Rowad Package, have helped support this progress.
In AI skills for the business sector, the Kingdom ranked seventh globally. The achievement was supported by national capacity-building programs, including the SDAIA Academy, the SAMAI program, and the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence (ATHKA), which help prepare national talent to lead digital transformation.
The results reflect the impact of SDAIA's efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position in data and artificial intelligence and reinforce its standing as a global model for adopting advanced technologies. They also support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and enhance the Kingdom's competitiveness across international indicators.
