The Saudi government has launched a number of initiatives in support of AI development, including the Saudi Vision 2030 Foundation. The official website of
Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reports that this initiative was cascaded into strategic objectives to enable effective implementation through Vision Realisation Programmes.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 drives innovation

The Saudi Vision 2030 National Biotechnology Strategy aims to position Saudi Arabia as a regional and global biotechnology hub. The initiative is already creating an advanced local bio-production platform aimed at increasing self-sufficiency in the production of biologics and biosimilars, which in the future will help open up global export opportunities, stimulate the growth of the broader biotechnology sector in the Kingdom, and reduce healthcare costs. This is reported on the official website of Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

Since the launch of this programme, the kingdom has implemented several reforms in the public sector, the economy, and society as a whole.

These initiatives have led to improved public administration efficiency, new opportunities for growth and investment, increased global participation, and an improved quality of life for citizens. It is reported that the Kingdom intends to continue this transformation in order to achieve its goals by 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in AI, robotics, and biotechnology

Artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology are used in a wide variety of sectors in Saudi Arabia, including healthcare, education, and transportation. For example, self-driving cars, intelligent traffic management systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been created within the transport sector.

Mikhail Khachaturyan, associate professor at the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development of the Financial University under the Government of Russia, said in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS that “the key objectives of ‘Vision 2030’ initiatives are to form a financing base for technological projects in the country, as well as create conditions for attracting significant amounts of foreign investment into the implementation of technological projects, primarily from BRICS, as well as leading countries of Western, Eastern, South-East Asia, Africa, South, and Latin America.”

According to the expert, these initiatives are expected to provide funding for Saudi Arabia’s research and attract international talent.

BRICS nations surge ahead in technology

Experts believe that in today’s rapidly developing world, Saudi Arabia, as well as all the BRICS countries, are at a turning point. The emergence of AI, robotics, and biotechnology provides an opportunity to enhance the dissemination of knowledge and meet the dynamic needs of various fields.

“Today, Saudi Arabia and other BRICS countries occupy leading positions in the development and implementation of innovative technological solutions in projects in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, robotics, education, and transport. Taking into account the new members, the BRICS countries will account for about 45 per cent of the number of projects implemented in these areas in the world in 2024. It is reasonable to expect that by 2030, this figure might be 65–70 per cent”

Mikhail Khachaturyan Associate Professor of the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development at the Financial University under the Government of Russia

On August 24, 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Saudi Arabia was invited to join BRICS as a full member. Today, the BRICS group includes: Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

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