Riyadh, December 20, 2024 — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made a significant contribution to global digital cooperation today with the announcement of the "Riyadh Declaration" at the opening of the 19th session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in Riyadh. Organized by the United Nations, the IGF serves as a platform to promote dialogue and collaboration between governments, the private sector, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the globe, all working toward the shared goal of advancing digital cooperation.
In a landmark statement, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Alswaha, highlighted the pivotal role that the Riyadh Declaration plays in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to spearheading global transformation in the realm of technology. He credited the declaration with the support and leadership of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, whose vision continues to drive Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goals in the digital era.
At the core of the Riyadh Declaration is the inclusive, innovative, and impactful role of AI technologies in the modern world. The declaration advocates for AI as a powerful tool that can not only enable digital access and enhance digital knowledge, but also address global challenges ranging from economic development to environmental sustainability. It recognizes AI’s vast potential to drive forward a global economic value, benefiting societies and economies at both the local and international levels.
The declaration goes further to emphasize the critical role of AI in fostering digital accessibility, advancing digital literacy, and contributing to sustainable development. It calls for AI to be harnessed for public health improvements, the protection of the environment, and the promotion of economic inclusion, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of location or background, can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.
Minister Alswaha also emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is adopting a proactive and forward-thinking approach in the field of AI. He pointed out that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is built on a foundation of commitment to not only lead the global digital transformation but to do so by example. With a clear mandate for innovation, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of AI development, ensuring that the Kingdom is not just a participant, but a leader in shaping the future of global technology.
The declaration addresses several critical challenges that need to be tackled to unlock AI’s full potential, including unequal access to algorithms, data, and computing resources. Saudi Arabia has committed to improving the fairness and reliability of AI algorithms, ensuring that these technologies are free from biases that could negatively affect individuals or entire societies. The Kingdom is also focused on making sure that AI is designed and implemented in an inclusive manner, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are integrated into AI development processes. Responsible data practices are another key priority, with the Kingdom striving to ensure the safe and ethical use of data to harness its power for the benefit of all people.
In his remarks, Alswaha stressed the importance of global collaboration in achieving these ambitious goals and highlighted that the Riyadh Declaration marks a pivotal moment for digital cooperation in the AI sector. He also noted that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the global digital future goes hand-in-hand with its broader efforts to align with Vision 2030, a roadmap for economic diversification, innovation, and sustainable development in the Kingdom.
The Riyadh Declaration is a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals alike to come together and leverage AI to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future. Saudi Arabia’s announcement at the IGF underscores its pivotal role in advancing the global conversation on AI and digital governance, setting the stage for further innovation and cooperation in the years to come.
For those interested in learning more, the full text of the Riyadh Declaration can be accessed via the following link:
[**Riyadh AI Declaration**](https://www.mcit.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2024-12/Riyadh%20Ai%20declaration%20E.pdf).