RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as global hubs for artificial intelligence expertise, ranking among the world’s top 20 countries by talent density, a new survey showed.

According to the latest Global AI Competitiveness Index, issued as a collaboration between the International Finance Forum and Deep Knowledge Group, the Kingdom holds 0.7 percent of the global AI talent pool. In comparison, the UAE holds 0.4 percent, placing it ahead of countries like Russia and Italy.

This supports the nation’s National Strategy for Data and AI, which aims to place Saudi Arabia among the world’s top 15 in AI, the top 10 in the Open Data Index, and the top 20 for data and AI-related publications.

It also aligns with projections from PwC that AI will contribute $235.2 billion, around 12.4 percent, to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2030.

“Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s strategic focus on AI, their significant investments in education, infrastructure, and innovation, and their ability to attract top talent and investments are setting the stage for a new era of growth in the region,” Dmitry Kaminskiy, general partner at Deep Knowledge Group, said in a press release.

“Both nations are making substantial strides toward becoming global AI leaders, with the UAE positioning itself as a major player in AI governance and technology, while Saudi Arabia is building a robust ecosystem for AI talent and applications,” Kaminskiy added.

The report further indicated that in a major milestone, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has joined the ranks of the top 150 universities worldwide for AI talent production, making it the highest-ranking institution in the Middle East as a whole.

It also showed that the Kingdom has committed $20 billion to partnerships with leading institutions, including Stanford University, to establish KAUST as home to one of the world’s top AI research labs. Complementing this, national initiatives such as the 10,000 Coders program are equipping young Saudis with advanced AI skills to build local talent and drive innovation.

As part of Saudi Vision 2030, AI is recognized as a key pillar of the Kingdom’s economic transformation. The strategy aims to position the nation among the world’s top 10 countries in AI research and implementation by 2030, while drawing in $20 billion in investments and generating 200,000 high-tech jobs.

The Kingdom created the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority to lead the country’s AI strategy. Key initiatives enjoy fast-track approvals, with decisions usually finalized within 30 days.

Sovereign wealth is also driving AI expansion, with the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund launching a $1.5 billion fund dedicated to AI investments.

The nation is also channeling substantial resources into initiatives like Neom, where over 30 percent of the $500 billion budget is allocated to AI infrastructure, redefining the future of smart cities.