In general, it can be said that artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia is witnessing increasing adoption and is considered an essential part of the Kingdom’s 2030 vision to achieve sustainable development and diversify the economy.
AI has been adopted in a wide range of sectors and industries in Saudi Arabia, including education, healthcare, industry, commerce, and government.
The status of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia
- National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence: In 2019, the Kingdom launched the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the Kingdom a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority: The authority was established in 2019 to be the body responsible for implementing the national strategy for data and artificial intelligence.
- Investments: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the field of artificial intelligence, by establishing specialized research centers and attracting leading international companies in this field.
- Applications: Artificial intelligence technologies are used in various sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Artificial intelligence initiatives in Saudi Arabia
In 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the Kingdom a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence. The strategy includes five main objectives:
- Building a robust data and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
- Developing human capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Attracting investments in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Encouraging innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Using artificial intelligence technologies to improve the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority:
The Authority was established in 2019 to be the body responsible for implementing the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence. The Authority performs many tasks, including:
- Establish policies and regulations related to data and artificial intelligence.
- Providing support to various sectors in using artificial intelligence technologies.
- Funding research and studies in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Spreading awareness about artificial intelligence technologies.
Other programs and initiatives:
- King Abdulaziz Center for Artificial Intelligence: The center was established in 2019 as a global research center focusing on developing artificial intelligence technologies.
- “Saad” Program: A program aimed at supporting emerging companies in the field of artificial intelligence.
- “Thakaa” Initiative: An initiative that aims to spread awareness about artificial intelligence technologies among members of society.
Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in the field of artificial intelligence over the past few years. Some of the results achieved include:
- Increase investments in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Developing a number of human cadres specialized in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Launching a number of successful projects in the field of artificial intelligence.
There are still some challenges facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of artificial intelligence, including:
- Lack of human resources specialized in the field of artificial intelligence.
- The need to develop digital infrastructure.
- The need to address some of the ethical challenges related to the use of artificial intelligence technologies.
Artificial intelligence technologies are expected to play an important role in the future of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seeks to become a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence by investing in this field, developing human capabilities, and cooperating with other countries.
Artificial intelligence education plan in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to build a generation of young people specialized in the field of artificial intelligence, through implementing a comprehensive educational plan that includes:
1. General education:
- Integrating the principles of artificial intelligence into general education curricula, starting at the primary level.
- Training teachers on artificial intelligence teaching skills.
- Providing artificial intelligence laboratories in schools.
- Organizing competitions and awareness programs for students about artificial intelligence.
2. Higher education:
- Establishing bachelor’s and postgraduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations in Saudi universities.
- Supporting scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Attracting international experts in the field of artificial intelligence to work in Saudi universities.
- Providing scholarships for students wishing to study artificial intelligence.
3. Vocational education:
- Establishing specialized training programs in the field of artificial intelligence for those wishing to work in this field.
- Cooperating with the private sector to provide training opportunities for students.
- Supporting startups in the field of artificial intelligence.
4. Community awareness:
- Spreading awareness about artificial intelligence technologies, their benefits and risks.
- Organizing seminars and lectures on artificial intelligence for the public.
- Launching media campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of artificial intelligence.
Opportunities to learn artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and considers them a major driver for achieving Vision 2030. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s plan to develop artificial intelligence aims to build a generation of young people specialized in this field, by providing various learning opportunities that include:
Artificial intelligence universities in Saudi Arabia
Government universities for artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz University: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
- King Saud University: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
- Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
- Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
- Prince Sultan University: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence specializations, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
Private universities for artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia
- Al Yamamah University: Offers bachelor’s programs in artificial intelligence.
- Alfaisal University: Offers bachelor’s programs in artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence institutes in Saudi Arabia
- Prince Sultan Institute for Petroleum Studies and Research: Provides training programs in the field of artificial intelligence.
- Institute of Technical and Vocational Studies: Provides training programs in the field of artificial intelligence.
Job opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is witnessing a growing demand for skills in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) as it focuses on achieving Vision 2030. The National Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy expects the creation of 300 new jobs in this field by 2030.
Jobs in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia
Jobs available in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia are diverse, including:
- Artificial Intelligence Engineers: Responsible for the design, development, and implementation of artificial intelligence systems.
- Data Scientists: Responsible for collecting and analyzing data to build artificial intelligence models.
- Data analysts: are responsible for interpreting the results of artificial intelligence models and presenting them to decision makers.
- Application Developers: Responsible for building AI applications for end users.
- AI Ethics and Responsibility Experts: Responsible for ensuring that AI technologies are used in an ethical and responsible manner.
Sectors that provide job opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence:
- Health care: diagnosing diseases, developing medicines, improving health services.
- Energy: Improving energy efficiency, developing renewable energy sources.
- Transportation: Developing intelligent transportation systems, such as self-driving cars.
- Finance: combat fraud, improve customer services.
- Marketing: analyzing customer behavior, improving marketing campaigns.
- Agriculture: improving productivity, managing natural resources.
Sites to search for job opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence:
- LinkedIn: A global platform for searching for job opportunities, including many jobs in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia.
- Bayt.com: A popular platform for searching for job opportunities in the Middle East, including many jobs in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia.
- Indeed: A global platform for searching for job opportunities, including many jobs in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority website: The website displays job opportunities available in the Authority and its subsidiaries.
Saudi Arabia is expected to witness continued growth in the field of artificial intelligence, which will lead to increased demand for skills in this field.
Artificial intelligence salaries in Saudi Arabia
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer (1-3 years experience): 15,000 - 25,000 Saudi riyals per month.
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer (3-5 years experience): 20,000 - 35,000 Saudi riyals per month.
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer (5 years and more experience): 25,000 - 40,000 Saudi riyals per month.
- Data Scientist: 15,000 – 30,000 Saudi Riyals per month.
- Data Analyst: 10,000 – 20,000 SAR per month.
Artificial Intelligence salaries in Saudi Arabia vary depending on many factors, including:
- Skill and Experience: Salaries for experienced AI engineers range between 20,000 and 40,000 Saudi riyals per month.
- Educational qualifications: Holders of doctoral degrees in the field of artificial intelligence earn higher salaries than holders of master’s degrees.
- Company or Organization: Large companies and organizations offer higher salaries than small companies.
- Sector: AI salaries in some sectors, such as technology and finance, differ from salaries for the same field in other sectors.
- Geographical location: AI salaries in major cities may differ from salaries for the same field in small cities.
In general, AI salaries in Saudi Arabia are considered high compared to some other Arab countries.
Artificial intelligence applications in Saudi Arabia
1. Healthcare applications:
- Disease diagnosis: Using machine learning techniques to analyze medical images and provide accurate diagnoses.
- Drug development: Using artificial intelligence techniques to develop new medicines and effective treatments.
- Improving health services: using smart robots to provide health services to patients, such as performing surgical operations.
2. Energy applications:
- Improving energy efficiency: Using artificial intelligence techniques to improve the energy efficiency of homes and businesses.
- Developing renewable energy sources: Using artificial intelligence techniques to develop renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy.
3. Transportation applications:
- Developing intelligent transportation systems: Using artificial intelligence techniques to develop intelligent transportation systems, such as self-driving cars.
- Improving traffic management: Using artificial intelligence techniques to improve traffic management and reduce congestion.
4. Financing applications:
- Anti-Fraud: Using artificial intelligence techniques to detect and prevent fraud.
- Improving customer services: Using artificial intelligence technologies to improve customer services and provide a better customer experience.
5. Marketing applications:
- Customer Behavior Analysis: Using artificial intelligence techniques to better understand customer behavior.
- Improving marketing campaigns: Using artificial intelligence techniques to improve marketing campaigns and make them more effective.
6. Agriculture applications:
- Improving productivity: using artificial intelligence techniques to improve agricultural productivity.
- Natural Resource Management: Using artificial intelligence techniques to better manage natural resources.
Artificial intelligence projects in Saudi Arabia
Some artificial intelligence projects in Saudi Arabia:
- “Saher System” project: a smart system to monitor roads and reduce traffic accidents.
- “NEOM City” project: a smart city based on artificial intelligence technologies in all its aspects.
- “Tarjama” project: a smart platform for translating documents and books to and from the Arabic language.
- “Digital Health” project: an intelligent system for providing health services to patients remotely.
- “Artificial Intelligence in Education” project: Using artificial intelligence techniques to improve education in schools and universities.
- “Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture” project: Using artificial intelligence techniques to improve agricultural productivity.
- “Artificial Intelligence in Energy” project: Using artificial intelligence techniques to improve energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources.
Artificial intelligence companies in Saudi Arabia
- Companies specializing in artificial intelligence technologies: such as SCAI, BiS, EBTIC, and ELM.
- Companies that provide AI solutions for specific sectors: such as health, energy, transportation, finance, marketing, and agriculture.
- Start-up companies in the field of artificial intelligence: working to develop new technologies and solutions in this field.
Examples of artificial intelligence companies in Saudi Arabia:
1. Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCA I):
- Founded in 2022.
- A company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund.
- SCAI aims to contribute to making Saudi Arabia a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence.
- SCAI focuses on areas such as:
- Machine learning.
- Natural language processing.
- Computer vision.
- Artificial intelligence in business.
2. NEOM Company:
- A smart city that relies on artificial intelligence technologies in all its aspects.
- NEOM aims to become a global hub for innovation and technology.
- NEOM's artificial intelligence technologies are used in areas such as:
- Smart mobility.
- Energy management.
- Safety and Security.
- Health Services.
- education.
3. Business Intelligence Solutions Company (BiS):
- A company specialized in providing business intelligence solutions to companies and institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- BiS offers solutions in areas such as:
- data analysis.
- Predicting customer behavior.
- Process automation.
- Risk Management.
4. Ibdaa Company (EBTIC):
- A company specialized in providing artificial intelligence solutions to the government sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- EBTIC offers solutions in areas such as:
- electronic services.
- Crowd control.
- Cyber security.
- Anti-fraud.
5. Elm Company (ELM):
- A company specialized in providing artificial intelligence solutions to the private sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- ELM offers solutions in areas such as:
- Digital marketing.
- Improve customer service.
- Risk Management.
- Dynamic pricing.
Sources: Website of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority
