RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha, speaking at the Summit of the Future session titled “Toward a Common Digital Future,” said that the Kingdom, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, presents a model of international cooperation to bridge social, economic and artificial intelligence gaps.

Al-Swaha noted Saudi Arabia’s collaboration with the UN’s International Telecommunication Union to study ways to bridge the digital divide, as 2.6 billion people currently lack access to digital solutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s launch of a virtual hospital, which serves as a pioneering healthcare model and has performed numerous specialized surgeries, including open-heart operations in various countries.

The Kingdom is proud of the growth of its digital economy, Al-Swaha said, and it has proposed the establishment of the Digital Cooperation Organization to bridge gaps and serve over 800 million people.

This can be done by providing digital platforms and a unified digital market to foster innovative and entrepreneurial models in healthcare, education, and business, thus improving efficiency and helping the digital economy grow, he added.

Through its membership in the AI Advisory Body, led by the UN secretary-general, Saudi Arabia is contributing to bridging social, economic and AI gaps, shaping the future of humanity and empowering individuals, said Al-Swaha.

The Kingdom, he added, presented seven recommendations, including establishing an independent international scientific committee focused on AI, launching a multi-government dialogue on AI governance involving stakeholders, creating a platform for sharing standards and experience related to AI, and building a global network for capacity development.

“To enhance joint efforts and exchange experience, the Kingdom is proud to announce its framework for AI governance in partnership with the UN, the establishment of the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics in partnership with UNESCO, and the launching of the AI Readiness Framework in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union,” the minister said.

“As we celebrate today the launch of the Pact for the Future, we must unite in recognizing that we have only one option: a comprehensive AI that empowers humanity and ensures that no one is left behind in keeping pace with the world.”