Saudi Arabia has reached a major global milestone in artificial intelligence, as emphasized in the AI Index Report 2025 by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). The Kingdom is leading the world in women’s empowerment in AI—based on the female-to-male ratio—while also making significant strides in AI job growth, talent attraction, and the development of cutting-edge AI models.
The Stanford AI Index serves as a reliable international reference for policymakers, researchers, and industry experts aiming to comprehend the current state and emerging trends of AI across the globe.
Saudi Arabia has achieved the top global ranking in empowering women within the AI sector, highlighting the success of ambitious national policies and initiatives that promote women’s participation and leadership in technology. This achievement aligns seamlessly with Saudi Vision 2030 and is driven by advanced training programs and professional development initiatives, which have significantly enhanced the presence of female talent in the Kingdom’s AI ecosystem.
AI job growth: A notable ranking
The Kingdom also secured the third position globally in AI job growth for 2024 and ranked fourth in the number of leading AI models. According to the report, Saudi Arabia stands out among seven countries that have published advanced AI models, including the United States, China, France, Canada, and the Republic of Korea.
Read more: 81 percent of CEOs in Saudi Arabia embraced AI in the past year, says PWC
Attracting AI talent: A rising hub
Saudi Arabia placed eighth globally in attracting AI talent, underscoring its increasing appeal as a hub for innovation. The Kingdom has established a stable and supportive environment for research and development in the field, making it an attractive destination for skilled professionals.
Building global leadership
These accomplishments reflect the Kingdom’s strategic endeavors to establish itself as a global leader in AI, spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). By enhancing national capabilities, advancing policy frameworks, promoting investment, and driving innovation, SDAIA is committed to elevating the Kingdom’s status in data and AI. The authority also focuses on strengthening digital infrastructure and accelerating the adoption of AI technologies across key sectors to achieve the goals of Vision 2030.
Empowering women in technology
In the realm of women’s empowerment, SDAIA has launched several high-impact initiatives. Among these is the “Elevate” program—developed in partnership with Google Cloud—which aims to empower over 25,000 women in technology and AI fields. Additional efforts include specialized training camps and capacity-building programs designed to position Saudi women as leaders both locally and internationally in the AI sector.
