RIYADH: Six national projects led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority have been honored at the World Summit on the Information Society 2026 for excellence in AI and digital innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The awards recognize initiatives aimed at promoting the responsible use of AI, accelerating digital transformation and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in data-driven technologies aligned with its Vision 2030 development strategy.
The winning projects included the AI Service Provider Accreditation initiative, which encourages organizations to adopt ethical practices, and an early breast cancer-detection program designed to support earlier diagnosis and improve healthcare outcomes.
Also recognized were the Generative AI Accelerator, which supports the development and adoption of applications; and the Tahseen, an initiative to digitally restore and enhance Saudi historical media archives.
In addition, there was recognition for the AI Principles and Ethics in the Media Sector project, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Media; and Nafath, the Kingdom’s national digital-identity platform developed with the Ministry of Interior.
The honors follow the announcement in April that nine SDAIA-led initiatives had been shortlisted for the WSIS Prizes 2026.
In addition to the six eventual winners, the nominees included the National AI Index, the National Open Data Platform, and the multilingual Data and AI Glossary, a reference resource available in Arabic, English and French.
The awards reflect Saudi Arabia’s growing international profile in AI, data governance and digital innovation, SPA reported.
The honors highlight efforts to develop technologies that support secure digital services, strengthen public trust in AI and expand the adoption of advanced technologies across government and industry.
The summit, organized under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union and other UN agencies, recognizes projects that use information and communication technologies to advance sustainable development and digital inclusion worldwide.
The latest recognition adds to SDAIA’s expanding presence in international technology forums as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in AI and digital transformation under Vision 2030, SPA reported.
