Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the UN, to support global cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.

The MoU will also see the development of an internationally-recognized system for countries to mobilize resources, providing assistance for official agencies that want to adopt AI technologies, and accreditation to meet economic requirements.

The MoU was signed by Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, the president of the SDAIA, and Houlin Zhao, the secretary-general of the ITU, during the landmark “Global AI Summit”.

Alghamdi expressed his pleasure to cooperate with the global agency and provide valuable insights into the development of AI technologies, while also supporting the ITU in defining the methodology of artificial intelligence.

He explained that the MoU will pave the way to conduct key studies to boost independence and credibility and gain a new understanding of the future role of that artificial intelligence in institutional reforms.

Alghamdi revealed that the MoU would be mutually beneficial.

"The International Telecommunication Union will share the best practices in the field of artificial intelligence with the Kingdom. This will help in shedding light on how to sponsor and support emerging companies and new incubators in the national space, especially as there is no official framework that currently exists to support the AI readiness of countries and international cooperation."

“AI is being used to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.

“With only 10 years left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ITU looks forward to working with SDAIA to develop projects and initiatives that can accelerate the progress towards the SDGs and promote AI as a force good for humanity and the planet.”