Saudi Women in Artificial Intelligence: From National Empowerment to Global Competitiveness
Saudi women continue to strengthen their presence in data and artificial intelligence (AI), supported by the Kingdom's progress in empowering national talent and developing human capabilities in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Their participation has expanded beyond acquiring technical skills to include research and development, data analysis, intelligent systems engineering, and technology leadership, strengthening their role in shaping the Kingdom's digital transformation.
Saudi Arabia has achieved advanced positions in international AI indicators, ranking first globally in women's empowerment in AI, according to Stanford University's 2026 AI Index. This achievement reflects the Kingdom's growing technological and research ecosystem and the increasing opportunities for women to participate in advanced technology fields.
The Kingdom also ranked third globally in the proportion of AI talent and recorded the world's highest growth rate in AI talent, exceeding 100% between 2019 and 2025. These achievements reflect the growth of the talent development and recruitment ecosystem and the creation of a supportive environment that expands participation in this vital sector.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) plays a pivotal role in building national capabilities through initiatives and training programs that develop specialized skills and expand opportunities for participation in the digital economy. These efforts help prepare and empower national talent to keep pace with rapid developments in AI technologies.
In this context, the SAMAI initiative has helped expand AI knowledge across various segments of society, with more than one million Saudi citizens benefiting from the initiative by November 2025. Women accounted for 52% of total registrants, reflecting their growing interest in acquiring AI-related skills and knowledge.
The increasing participation of Saudi women in AI reflects broader transformations in the national labor market, as opportunities for training and professional participation in advanced technology fields continue to expand. These efforts go beyond increasing the number of female trainees and beneficiaries to establishing sustainable career paths that enable women to develop intelligent applications, analyze data, create digital solutions, and participate in research and technology projects with economic and social impact.
Diversity among professionals involved in developing AI systems contributes to more inclusive innovation by broadening the range of expertise and perspectives informing technological solutions. This supports the development of technologies that better respond to societal needs and highlights the significance of Saudi Arabia's experience internationally, amid global efforts to narrow the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly in AI.
National initiatives reflect the Kingdom's approach to combining human capital investment with expanded international partnerships and knowledge transfer. This approach strengthens women's participation in the digital economy and supports global efforts to provide more inclusive opportunities in emerging technologies. Looking ahead, greater emphasis will be placed on measuring the actual impact of empowerment programs by tracking beneficiaries' transition into specialized jobs, advancement in research and leadership careers, and participation in establishing technology projects and companies.
At the international level, efforts continue to strengthen women's participation in data and AI. Among the most prominent is the Elevate initiative, launched by the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), which aims to empower more than 25,000 women in emerging markets worldwide. Through specialized training programs, the initiative aims to build technical skills and expand professional opportunities, strengthening women's global participation in developing AI technologies and shaping their future.
National indicators and initiatives demonstrate that empowering Saudi women in AI represents a strategic investment in the Kingdom's future. This investment goes beyond providing opportunities to developing talent capable of advancing technologies, creating solutions, and enhancing global competitiveness. Through its focus on investing in people as the foundation of technological progress, the Kingdom is establishing a model in which Saudi women are active partners in shaping the future of AI, rather than merely beneficiaries of its applications.
