The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in the number of data centers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This development reflects the Kingdom’s efforts in enhancing its digital infrastructure and keeping pace with the rapid growth in the field of data and artificial intelligence. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), as the national reference for the development, handling, and regulation of data and AI, has played a crucial role in this achievement by partnering with various relevant entities.
In a study titled “Digital Transformation in the GCC Economies,” the IMF praised Saudi Arabia for establishing an independent entity for artificial intelligence, namely SDAIA, in 2019. The launch of the National Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to solidify the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in this field. With the increasing use of AI technologies in various developmental and vital sectors worldwide, Saudi Arabia’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by the IMF.
The IMF also commended the Kingdom for issuing a Personal Data Protection Law, reflecting its commitment to data governance, management, and individual privacy. This move aims to create a legislative and regulatory environment that keeps pace with rapid technological developments while ensuring the protection of rights according to the highest international standards.
SDAIA is continuously working on developing sustainable data centers designed according to the best global practices and standards endorsed by the UPTIME Institute – a global authority in assessing and rating data centers worldwide based on a low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio.
The study highlighted the Kingdom’s launch of various digital platforms that have accelerated the pace of digital transformation across vital sectors. These platforms have not only maximized the impact of digital transformation and improved the quality of life but also facilitated reliable and high-speed access to services, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 targets.
