SDAIA (Saudi Data and AI Authority)
The Saudi national authority for data governance and artificial intelligence, driving the Kingdom's ambitions to become a global leader in AI and the data-driven economy.
Definition
SDAIA (the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority) is the national authority responsible for data governance, AI strategy, and the development of Saudi Arabia’s data and artificial intelligence ecosystem, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Overview
Established by royal decree in 2019, SDAIA was created to position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the global AI revolution. The authority is chaired by the Crown Prince, signalling the highest-level strategic importance attached to AI and data as national priorities. SDAIA operates through two key subsidiaries: the National Data Management Office (NDMO), which governs data policy and regulation, and the National Center for AI (NCAI), which drives AI research, development, and adoption.
SDAIA is responsible for implementing the National Data Governance Framework, enforcing the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), and developing ethical AI guidelines. The authority also manages the National Data Bank and promotes the use of AI across government operations and the broader economy.
The authority hosts the annual Global AI Summit (GAIN) in Riyadh, which has become one of the most prominent international AI conferences, attracting global technology leaders, researchers, and policymakers. SDAIA has also established partnerships with major international technology companies and research institutions to build Saudi AI capabilities.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 2019 |
| Chairman | Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman |
| Subsidiaries | NDMO (data governance), NCAI (AI development) |
| Key Law | Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) |
| Flagship Event | Global AI Summit (GAIN) |
| Focus | Data governance, AI strategy, ethical AI |
| National Target | Global AI leadership |
Role in Vision 2030
SDAIA is a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s technology and innovation agenda. The authority aims to position Saudi Arabia among the top 15 countries globally in AI adoption and development, leveraging the Kingdom’s data assets, sovereign wealth, and strategic ambition to compete with established AI leaders.
AI and data capabilities are viewed as cross-cutting enablers of virtually every Vision 2030 objective — from smart city management at NEOM to predictive healthcare to automated government services to optimized energy production. SDAIA’s work in building the regulatory, institutional, and talent infrastructure for AI is essential to realizing these ambitions.