Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia is in a good position to become a global leader in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) by initiating discussions to help craft a consensus on how such rules should operate.
The Kingdom is poised to take ownership of setting the framework for AI regulations at a global level, Ian Khan, CEO of Toronto-based technology-advisory firm Futuracy, stated in an interview with Arab News.
Khan expected a major growth in the use of AI in Saudi Arabia, triggered by the curiosity about how the technology will affect aspects of daily life.
“You look at (smart city projects in Saudi Arabia) like NEOM, which is so complex, or The Line, they are all driven by artificial intelligence, from managing transportation systems to managing homes,” Khan said.
He shed light on the Kingdom’s plans to develop electric vehicles and the infrastructure for autonomous transportation, along with wider plans to manufacture more than 300,000 cars annually by 2030.
“Saudi Arabia is looking to position itself not just as a G20 player, but probably one of the biggest players in the world when it comes to the economy being a financial hub,” Khan added.
Furthermore, Khan forecasted Saudi Arabia to have a regulatory framework for AI in place within one or two years, if not sooner.
“By 2030, I am envisioning that the job market in Saudi will be driven by AI. In terms of AI, talent is needed,” Khan concluded.
