RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has been ranked first globally in the “government strategy” sector of a recently published artificial intelligence report, which evaluates more than 60 countries in the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The Global AI Index, one of the indicators of the international classification of artificial intelligence issued by UK-based news website Tortoise Media, incorporates more than 100 indicators, categorized into seven sub-pillars, including government strategy, research, development, talent, infrastructure, operating environment, and commercial.
Germany and China secured the second and third rankings in the government strategy sector, respectively.
The Kingdom scored 100 percent in the government strategy category thanks to its establishment of the National Strategy for Data and AI, the presence of a dedicated government authority for artificial intelligence, the allocation of funding and budget for AI initiatives and the formulation and monitoring of national targets for artificial intelligence.
The Kingdom secured 31st position overall in the index that was published on Friday by, which is a global company that has an advisory board that includes experts in artificial intelligence from around the world.
From its early stages, the Kingdom has demonstrated a solid commitment to developing artificial intelligence and in 1979, a royal order was issued to establish the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority as the central authority responsible for organizing, developing, and overseeing all AI-related matters.
The SDAIA led the national plans for data and artificial intelligence to achieve the aspirations of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors, and the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
It has worked to develop NSDAI to unify efforts and launch national initiatives in data and artificial intelligence and make optimal use of them.
This achievement by the Kingdom aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to position the country prominently in global indicators across various domains.
Saudi Arabia ranks 1st in government strategy in Tortoise’s Global AI Index
https://arab.news/r7y8v
Saudi Arabia ranks 1st in government strategy in Tortoise’s Global AI Index
Minzal brings Saudi traditions to life in Diriyah
- From leather crafts and archery to Saudi coffee, Minzal offers a lesson in ‘Sloum Al-Arab’
RIYADH: This season of Minzal places social norms and traditional etiquette at its center, with tents set up to teach what is locally known as “Sloum Al-Arab” alongside gatherings for coffee, dinner and stargazing around campfires.
“Sloum Al-Arab” refers to the unwritten customers and values that have shaped Arab and Bedouin society for centuries, including generosity, coffee preparation, courage and archery.
In Saudi Arabia, these traditions are closely ties to cultural identity and religious belief.
Leather products and the making of leather goods is one of the crafts featured at Minzal this year and is one of the oldest crafts still practiced in the kingdom.
“The most difficult thing I faced to work on was camel leather because it is a little tough,” Nada Samman, a leather trainer and craftsman at Minzal, told Arab News.
“The work on leather is wonderful whether it is goat leather, cow leather, Sawakni sheep, and of course, camel leather. At Minzal, we are offering multiple handicraft workshops, most specifically the leather handicrafts. We want visitors to spend time at something useful and fun."
Samman explained the workshops allowed participants to preserve heritage while engaging in meaning, hands on activities.
Faisal Al-Khaled, a visual artist and craftsman specializing in Saudi designs at Minzal, shared a similar goal: “I want people to have, by the end of this experience, a unique and traditional art piece created by them, and that I know I helped them to preserve this craft.”
Minzal, which has been organized for several years now, continues to evolve with each season, offering activities that highlight Bedouin values, traditional skills and sports. Archery is a key feature, reflecting its deep roots in Arab and Islamic history.
Mohammed Al-Sharif, a certified archery player and coach with the Saudi Archery Federation since 2028, said the sport was closely connected to Saudi culture. It was encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad, which led people to learn and teach it through generations.
“Our traditional bow is considered one of the most important and widely used bows in Arab culture,” Al-Sharif said. “We have several styles, and professional archers specializing in traditional bow shooting … There are various types of archery, such as horseback archery and standing archery, where bow sizes vary according to specific needs, such as types used for hunting and others used during warfare.”
He explained that archery was historically part of daily life, used for protection and hunting.
Saudi coffee also plays a significant role in the Minzal experience, with live demonstrations. One of the most frequently consumed beverages in the Kingdom, it is a symbol of hospitality and generosity.
Ahmed Al-Shuaibi explained how it was prepared at the Sloum tent, first by roasting the beans and then allowing them to cool. The beans are ground with spices in a Nigr.
“Coffee is passed from our grandparents,” he added. “In significant majlis, you see them offering our local coffee and not other types of coffee. We organized this corner so that young generations can visit and learn this.”
