RIYADH: Samar Al-Shalahi, 22, is one of Saudi Arabia’s young innovators, having created a patented technology and now researching ways to advance political science through AI.
In 2023, Al-Shalahi was granted a Saudi patent (SAIP Patent No. SA13753) for developing self-cleaning floor tiles, a system designed to reduce manual cleaning and water waste through internal self-washing channels.
The patent was officially registered with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property on Sept. 26, 2023, and was showcased at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions under the Saudi Arabia pavilion.
Samar Al-Shalahi, Student and innovator
Her experimental work was supervised by Dr. Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Faisal, whose guidance helped her transform a theoretical idea into a practical prototype; a project that later evolved into her patented technology.
“It was my first tangible step toward connecting creativity with practical problem-solving,” she said.
“I learned that innovation doesn’t always mean creating something entirely new; it can be seeing the familiar through a different lens.
I aspire to contribute to developing national policies that strengthen the integration between political science and AI in support of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation under Vision 2030.
Samar Al-Shalahi, Student and innovator
“That experience fueled my passion to continue exploring new paths in research and innovation.”
This became the foundation for a broader understanding of innovation and its connection to national strength.
She is now a political science student at King Saud University, focusing on how AI shapes national sovereignty, governance and international security, viewing technology as a new determinant of power in the modern international system.
“Governance and technology are increasingly intertwined. It is important for nations to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the public good and supports responsible policymaking,” Al-Shalahi said.
“I aspire to contribute to developing national policies that strengthen the integration between political science and AI in support of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation under Vision 2030,” she added.
“I seek to be part of the generation that harnesses technology to serve informed political decision-making and to safeguard digital sovereignty.”
Her transition from invention to the intersection of politics and technology reflects the transformation taking place across Saudi Arabia’s research landscape.
Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is seeking to establish itself as a global hub in AI, data sovereignty, and digital policy, with a strong emphasis on ethics and governance.
Al-Shalahi has represented Saudi Arabia on international platforms. She was a speaker at the World Association for Sustainable Development’s International Youth Day Global Conference 2025, where she discussed the contributions of Saudi youth in innovation and sustainable development.
