Kranj, February 06, 2024, Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), underscored the significance of the cabinet's decision to establish the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh. The center's classification as a UNESCO Category II International Center represents a milestone achievement in alignment with SDAIA's vision.
Al-Ghamdi emphasized that this visionary initiative positions Saudi Arabia as a global leader in ethical artificial intelligence (AI). The establishment of ICAIRE is aimed at supporting research and development in the AI field, enhancing awareness of AI ethics, and providing consultative support in AI policies and capacity building.
These remarks were delivered during a ministerial session titled "Regional Approach to Advance Ethical Governance of Artificial Intelligence" at the Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Organized by UNESCO and Slovenia’s Ministry of Digital Transformation in Kranj under the theme "Changing the Landscape of AI Governance," the forum convenes on February 5 and 6 with the participation of distinguished ministers of technology and AI from various countries.
Al-Ghamdi highlighted the forum's role in reminding participants of their shared responsibility in addressing the complexities of AI. He stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Regarding ICAIRE's regional collaboration and capacity-building efforts, Al-Ghamdi mentioned that the center hosted two sessions on AI governance in the past two weeks. These sessions, conducted in collaboration with UNESCO, the Arab League, and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), focused on UNESCO's methodology for ethical readiness for AI.
The aim of hosting these sessions, according to Al-Ghamdi, is to align regional ethical practices for AI, raise awareness, facilitate dissemination, and harness the inherent value of AI while upholding the correct standards.
Al-Ghamdi also underscored Saudi Arabia's central geographic and cultural significance in the Arab and Islamic worlds. With Muslims accounting for nearly a quarter of the global population, and a significant portion speaking Arabic, he emphasized the Kingdom's responsibility to ensure comprehensive and culturally sensitive progress in AI. Thus, special attention is devoted to the development of Arabic language technologies and large language models to advance AI within the region's framework.
