Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: The Saudi Cultural Development Fund launched the ‘AI Incentives for Cultural Projects’ initiative to support cultural projects in priority areas aligned with national objectives, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the Quality of Life Program, one of Saudi Vision 2030’s Vision Realization Programs.

The initiative represents the first track under “Nama’ Incentives,” which strengthens the capacity of cultural projects for growth and innovation while maximizing their economic and social impact and long-term sustainability, according to the official statement.

This track is designed to foster micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) seeking to adopt or develop AI technologies within their projects across the cultural sector. Eligible projects can receive financial incentives of up to SAR 500,000 to develop and adopt innovative AI-powered solutions. 

The AI Incentives track focuses on supporting projects across key areas, such as: creativity and production; heritage and asset preservation; content and knowledge development; cultural experiences and engagement; cultural project management and operations; and governance and intellectual property. These areas are designed to accelerate the development of innovative AI-driven solutions across the cultural value chain while advancing the sector's digital transformation.

Commenting on this milestone, Majed Al-Hugail, CEO of CDF, said: “The launch of the AI Incentives for Cultural Projects track reflects our strategic commitment to enabling the cultural sector to harness advanced technologies as a driver of innovation and growth. We believe that integrating artificial intelligence into cultural projects will unlock more valuable products, services, and experiences, while creating new opportunities for investment and entrepreneurship.”

The AI Incentives for Cultural Projects builds on a trilateral agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the CDF, and SDAIA aimed at accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies across the cultural sector, fostering innovation, enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness, and advancing the development of cultural products and services, strengthening the sector’s readiness for the future.