UNESCO's General Conference granted the International Center for AI Research and Ethics in Riyadh the coveted status of a Category 2 Center

During its 42nd session, the UNESCO General Conference made a historic decision by awarding the highly sought-after Category 2 Centre status to the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia's dedication to promoting artificial intelligence both locally and internationally is emphasised by this permission. Participants at the event included prominent members of the National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science and the Kingdom's permanent mission to UNESCO, led by Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA).

This accomplishment is in line with Saudi Arabia's steadfast support of UNESCO's goal to increase the beneficial effects of AI on people's lives. It also represents the Kingdom's commitment to upholding its international duties and advancing AI for the good of all countries, especially the developing ones. Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 is another area of interest for ICAIRE, with a focus on the Middle Eastern Arab nations in particular.

As one of the first countries to implement UNESCO's AI ethical guidelines, Saudi Arabia was one of 193 governments to join the programme in November 2021. The Cabinet formally authorised the creation of the "International Centre for AI Research and Ethics" on July 25, 2023. This centre, which has its main office in Riyadh, achieves financial, administrative, and legal independence, which is a major step towards the Kingdom's goal of becoming a leader in the AI field.

The center's diverse activities are focused on four main areas: supporting AI research and development, raising ethical awareness in the field, offering policy recommendations and assistance for the development of AI capabilities, and actively participating in global initiatives that use AI for the benefit of humanity as a whole. With this action, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its leadership in artificial intelligence and strengthens its position to foster regional and global collaboration in the areas of AI ethics, research, and policy.