Saudi Arabia has launched an AI-focused event as part of its efforts to embrace artificial intelligence, attracting interest from Western and Chinese tech companies aiming to meet the rising demand for cloud and data solutions.
The third Global AI Summit, also known as the Gain Summit, commenced in Riyadh with over 400 speakers from more than 100 countries, including Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon. The event is organized by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), established in 2019 to promote data and AI governance.
The venue features booths from local and international sponsors, including US technology giants Google Cloud and Microsoft, alongside Huawei Technologies’ cloud-computing units, showcasing their products to an audience filled with local attendees.
In his speech, SDAIA President Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s AI achievements and urged global cooperation to “create a future where tech and humanity can thrive in harmony.”
According to a recent SDAIA report, AI is projected to contribute 12% to Saudi Arabia’s economy by 2030, with the AI market growing at an annual rate of 29%. Furthermore, 39% of government agencies have started using AI, with 81% of users reporting significant improvements in service delivery.