Beirut, September 14, 2022 — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
proudly announces its AI Ethics Principles for public consultation. They were
designed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to be
a practical guide to incorporating AI ethics throughout the AI system
development life cycle. AI Ethics principles recognize the importance of
developing artificial intelligence and technology innovation into the Kingdom’s
services for its citizens and visitors. After analyzing global and domestic
standards and guidelines for AI use, SDAIA has developed an operational
framework that entities can use to promote AI while limiting the technology’s
irresponsible use.
AI ethics will provide a common ground or standards to help the Kingdom avoid
or reduce technology limitations. The seven AI ethics principles are fairness,
privacy & security, humanity, social & environmental benefits,
reliability & safety, transparency & explainability, and accountability
& responsibility.
H.E. Dr Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data & AI
Authority (SDAIA) said “We believe these principles will help us move into
the next generation of innovation in a multitude of projects. SDAIA has done an
excellent job in encapsulating our responsibilities in implementing AI, and we
hope to continue developing and implementing AI that exceeds these
expectations.”
Dr. Majid Altuwaijri, CEO of the National Center for AI, stated during the
announcement at the Global AI Summit “We are excited to advance our technology
capacity through implementing AI solutions into our current processes and
operations. The AI Ethics principles will also help us ensure that we implement
these capabilities in a measured, data-responsible and ethical way.”
Saudi Arabia is one of the earliest counties to adopt UNESCO’s Recommendation
on the ethics of artificial intelligence, endorsed by 193 countries in November
2021.
The AI Ethics principles is one of the many initiatives that will support the
Kingdom’s efforts toward achieving its Vision 2030 and national strategies
related to adopting AI technology, encouraging research and innovation, and
driving economic growth for prosperity and development.
