Saudi Arabia Ranks First in MENA in Government AI Readiness Index 2025

Saudi Arabia has ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025, according to a report prepared by Oxford Insights, one of the world’s leading benchmarks used for decision-making and regulatory planning in artificial intelligence.

The top regional ranking reflects the Kingdom’s rapid and sustained progress in adopting and developing artificial intelligence applications at the governmental level, while ensuring a balanced and sustainable approach. The index evaluates 195 governments worldwide on their ability to adopt and leverage AI in public policy and government services, based on criteria covering governance, infrastructure, and institutional readiness.

Saudi Arabia’s performance highlights the growing maturity of its national AI ecosystem and its expanding role in promoting the responsible and effective use of advanced technologies. These efforts aim to enhance quality of life, improve government service efficiency, and support the broader objectives of Vision 2030.

In addition to leading the MENA region, the Kingdom ranked seventh globally in the governance pillar and ninth worldwide in public-sector AI adoption, demonstrating balanced progress across both regulatory frameworks and practical implementation within government operations.

This achievement comes amid sustained support for the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) from Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors Mohammed bin Salman. This backing has enabled SDAIA to advance data and AI capabilities, provide strategic foresight, and strengthen innovation across the sector.

The report also highlights Saudi Arabia’s strong performance in AI infrastructure, supported by advanced national platforms such as HUMAIN, which enhances computing power and contributes to the development of AI models. Combined with progress in AI governance, smart technology adoption, and flexible policy frameworks, these efforts position Saudi Arabia as a leading data- and AI-driven economy on both a regional and global scale.