Bletchley Park, November 03, 2023, Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), underscored Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to benefit humanity. He delivered this message during two sessions at the AI Safety Summit 2023, which took place at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, England.
The first session focused on the imperative need to establish a collective understanding of the risks associated with frontier AI and the prospect of future collaborations. In his address, Al-Ghamdi stressed the profound impact that artificial intelligence is expected to have on our world. He emphasized that these changes transcend mere advancements and improvements, as they have the potential to redefine the very fabric of societies, economies, and institutions worldwide.
Al-Ghamdi also emphasized that the influence of AI in education extends beyond enhancing classrooms and teaching methods; it has the potential to reshape the entire approach to learning. Rather than solely seeking to mitigate AI's transformative effects, he advocated for a focus on adapting to these changes. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of experimentation and innovation to succeed in this AI-enhanced world.
The second session delved into the significance of global opportunities in AI. Al-Ghamdi highlighted Saudi Arabia's dedication to advancing artificial intelligence for the greater good. He shared achievements in healthcare, such as a groundbreaking screening for diabetic retinopathy with an accuracy rate of up to 92%. Furthermore, he noted the effective use of AI in breast cancer detection, early identification of sepsis, respiratory and lung disease recognition, and preventive screenings for kidney diseases, all achieved through collaboration between organizations, hospitals, and academic institutions.
Al-Ghamdi shed light on SDAIA's initiatives in the field of AI, including Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Bank's Digital Development Partnership and the establishment of the AI Advisory Board by the United Nations. He acknowledged the digital divide as a reality and revealed a partnership with Google Cloud to launch the Elevate Program, aimed at training 25,000 women globally and enhancing their AI skills.
Al-Ghamdi concluded with a hopeful outlook, expressing optimism about unleashing AI's limitless potential, particularly in healthcare, and called for collective efforts to create a brighter and more equitable future through the use of artificial intelligence for the betterment of humanity.
