عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Saudi Arabia Seeks Developing Judicial Sector with AI

Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
    Riyadh – Bandar Al-Mosalam, Mohammed Halal
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Seeks Developing Judicial Sector with AI

Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a first, the Saudi government granted three foreign law firms licenses to operate in the Kingdom as it seeks developing the justice sector and anticipates the future of technologies and artificial intelligence in the courts.

This followed Saudi Arabia bringing together several ministers, officials, experts, jurists, and international specialists at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday.

Participants at the conference discussed the importance of digital transformation in accordance with the highest legal guarantees.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s digital legal experience, Saudi Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani revealed that the Kingdom had held more than six million documented video sessions and issued more than two million verdicts from various courts.

Al-Samaani reaffirmed that transparency was ensured in the process.

The minister said that Saudi Arabia had worked under the vision led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to develop all sectors--including the justice sector-- by supporting digital innovations and launching development projects that enhance the values of justice and transparency, improve user experience and speed up judicial processes.

Al-Samaani stated that the conference aims to enrich knowledge about the future of technologies in accordance with the highest legal guarantees. It also seeks to build justice partnerships, exchange experiences, and develop justice capabilities around the world.

He added that the Kingdom’s legal sector seeks “to raise efficiency of judicial procedures” while working with international experts.

Al-Samaani added that the sector has great opportunities for developing supportive technologies that enhance judicial guarantees.

“The change in digital transformation is a reality. What is an option now, after five years, will not be an option,” stressed the minister.

However, Al-Samaani explained, technology cannot replace humans or human thinking regardless of its advancement.

Themed “Enhancing Access to Justice through the Use of Digital Technologies,” the two-day conference aims to develop the justice sector, experiences, and the exchange of knowledge to facilitate access to justice.

The conference is presenting valuable insights on the best ways to benefit from technology to improve the performance of courts and justice sectors around the world. It also is discussing challenges and finding solutions that improve the quality of services.

Al-Samaani affirmed that digital transformation will become a reality in all sectors. Stressing that the transformation is an opportunity rather than a challenge, the minister said that it will facilitate access to justice and contribute to achieving better results.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Presidential Election: A Crucial First Step toward Saving Lebanon from Economic Crisis

The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
TT
TT

Presidential Election: A Crucial First Step toward Saving Lebanon from Economic Crisis

The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)

Since 2019, Lebanon has faced one of its worst economic crises in modern history, affecting all aspects of life. The local currency has lost over 95% of its value, driving inflation to record levels and making goods and services unaffordable. Poverty and unemployment have surged.
Amid this, political divisions have paralyzed government action, preventing any effective response to the crisis.
The recent war with Israel added to the burden, causing huge human and material losses estimated by the World Bank at $8.5 billion. This has made Lebanon’s economic and social struggles even harder to resolve, with no president in place to lead the country.
The presidential post in Lebanon has been vacant since President Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, leaving the country without a leader to address growing economic and financial issues.
This vacancy has stalled government formation, making it difficult for Lebanon to negotiate with international donors like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which demands major reforms in exchange for aid.
Choosing a new president is now a critical priority, not only to regain local and international confidence but also to begin the long-needed reforms.
One major challenge the new president will face is the reconstruction effort, which is estimated to cost over $6 billion. This is a huge financial burden that will require significant resources and effort to secure funding.
Reconstruction in Lebanon is not just about fixing infrastructure or repairing damage; it is a key test of the country’s ability to restore its role on the regional and international arena.
To achieve this, Lebanon needs a president with a clear vision and strong international connections, able to engage effectively with donor countries and major financial institutions.
Without credible and unified political leadership, Lebanon’s chances of gaining external support will remain limited, especially as international trust has been shaken by years of mismanagement and lack of reforms.
Keeping Lebanon’s deepening crises in mind, the people are hoping that electing a new president will offer a chance for economic and political recovery.
The new president, along with a strong government, is expected to rebuild trust both locally and internationally and restore political stability—key factors for stopping the economic decline and encouraging growth.
For instance, reviving Lebanon’s vital tourism sector will require better security and restoring confidence in the country as a safe place for investment.
This can only happen with political leadership that has a clear plan for reconstruction and necessary reforms.
Given Lebanon’s ongoing financial struggles, the new president’s ability to address these challenges will be critical to rescuing the country and guiding the economy toward recovery and sustainable growth.