Geneva, Switzerland — Saudi Arabia has called for urgent global action to address the Saudi AI digital divide 2025, warning that unequal access to artificial intelligence technologies risks deepening global inequality.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng., delivered the speech. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha, at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The Saudi AI digital divide 2025 message highlighted growing inequalities in access to AI, computing infrastructure, and algorithm availability. Al-Sawaha described this as an “existential gap” that could undermine previous global progress.
Saudi AI Leadership Anchored in Inclusive Strategy
According to Al-Sawaha, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision has driven Saudi Arabia’s AI momentum. One key initiative is “HuMain,” a platform to lead global AI development.
The Kingdom is also investing in AI infrastructure, talent, and high-performance computing.
Al-Sawaha compared technological eras to show the growing speed and risk of exclusion:
- The analog age connected 800 million people over a period of 100 years.
- The digital age connected 5.5 billion people in just 50 years, yet 2.6 billion remain offline.
- The AI age is unfolding at a faster pace, but with uneven access to data, computing power, and governance.
Saudi Arabia’s actions to close these gaps include:
- Women hold over 35% of digital jobs
- Ranking highly in global digital competitiveness
- KAUST researchers are placed in the top 1% worldwide by citations
- Enforcing advanced data protection laws
- Creating an inclusive Arabic language model
The Saudi Standard’s View: Saudi Push for AI Equity Reflects Strategic Sovereignty
The Saudi AI digital divide 2025 initiative signals more than diplomatic outreach — it marks the Kingdom’s intention to shape AI access as a geopolitical and ethical priority.
As global AI power consolidates, particularly in data and computing infrastructure, Saudi Arabia’s stance underscores the importance of multilateral frameworks in preventing new forms of digital colonialism.
The Kingdom’s domestic actions — from empowering women to supporting regional language AI — offer a replicable model for developing nations seeking technological inclusion without dependency.
Saudi Arabia is not merely advocating for fairness; it is positioning itself as a standard-bearer for AI equity across the Global South. It’s a call to strengthen ITU-led cooperation that demonstrates an understanding that sustainable AI growth requires shared norms, open access, and capacity-building in underrepresented regions.
