Saudi Arabia Earns Top Marks in Global AI Index for National Strategy 

Established in 2019, SDAIA serves as the national authority for all matters related to data (including big data) and AI, providing a centralized hub for its organization, development, and implementation. 
Established in 2019, SDAIA serves as the national authority for all matters related to data (including big data) and AI, providing a centralized hub for its organization, development, and implementation. 
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Saudi Arabia Earns Top Marks in Global AI Index for National Strategy 

Established in 2019, SDAIA serves as the national authority for all matters related to data (including big data) and AI, providing a centralized hub for its organization, development, and implementation. 
Established in 2019, SDAIA serves as the national authority for all matters related to data (including big data) and AI, providing a centralized hub for its organization, development, and implementation. 

The Stanford University International AI Index for 2024 ranked Saudi Arabia among the leading nations globally for developing a national strategy on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This comprehensive resource, valuable for policymakers, researchers, and industry specialists, provides insights into the current state and future trajectory of AI, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

This recognition reflects the Kingdom's commitment to leveraging data and AI technologies. Under the guidance and support of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) board of directors, the Kingdom is harnessing these powerful and transformative technologies for the betterment of humanity, while promoting a global framework for international cooperation in the field of AI.

Saudi Arabia's strong positioning in the AI and data domain underscores the success of Vision 2030, a national transformation plan where AI plays a pivotal role. Approximately 70% of the goals of Vision 2030 are directly or indirectly tied to AI, propelling the Kingdom toward a leading position in global AI rankings.

Established in 2019, SDAIA serves as the national authority for all matters related to data (including big data) and AI, providing a centralized hub for its organization, development, and implementation.

The latest accomplishment builds on Saudi Arabia's previous achievements in the AI realm. In 2023, the Kingdom secured the top spot in the Government Strategy Index for Artificial Intelligence, in the global AI classification issued by Tortoise Intelligence, which evaluates over 60 countries. Stanford University International AI Index 2023 ranked Saudi Arabia second globally in public awareness about AI.

These global accolades align with SDAIA's tireless efforts to solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in data and AI. Its multifaceted approach includes capacity building, policy development, fostering investment and innovation, strengthening technical infrastructure, and promoting the adoption of AI solutions in priority areas aligned with national objectives.

SDAIA is dedicated to achieving a set of strategic goals, including continuous modernization of the national data and AI agenda, and ensuring its successful implementation at the national level. Its steadfast commitment paves the way for Saudi Arabia to become a frontrunner in the information, data, and AI-driven economies of the future.



Microsoft Announces 4,800 Job Cuts as it Revamps Xbox

FILED - 30 January 2026, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Microsoft logo can be seen on the Microsoft Germany headquarters building in Munich. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 30 January 2026, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Microsoft logo can be seen on the Microsoft Germany headquarters building in Munich. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
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Microsoft Announces 4,800 Job Cuts as it Revamps Xbox

FILED - 30 January 2026, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Microsoft logo can be seen on the Microsoft Germany headquarters building in Munich. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 30 January 2026, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Microsoft logo can be seen on the Microsoft Germany headquarters building in Munich. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

Microsoft said Monday it was eliminating about 4,800 jobs -- roughly two percent of its global workforce -- in a sweeping restructuring concentrated in its Xbox gaming divisions, AFP reported.

The cuts include the deepest overhaul in Xbox's history, with approximately 3,200 gaming jobs to be shed over the coming fiscal year, four game studios being spun off or sold, and a fifth entering a review process that could lead to closure, the company said.


UN Chief Warns AI is Developing Faster than Rules Can Keep Up

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)
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UN Chief Warns AI is Developing Faster than Rules Can Keep Up

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement during a media conference at the EU summit in Brussels, March 19, 2026. (AP)

The United Nations secretary general on Monday warned that AI is developing faster than anyone can keep up, ‌urging the ‌need for ‌globally ⁠harmonized rules to reduce ⁠potential risks - especially to children, Reuters said.

"A technology that can reshape ⁠economies, transform the world ‌of ‌work, sway ‌elections and tilt ‌the balance of security is being deployed faster than ‌anyone – including the people building it – ⁠can ⁠keep up," Antonio Guterres told delegates at the first-ever government-level global dialogue on AI in Geneva.


Samsung Appliance Workers to Stage Rally Protesting Chip Workers' Wage Deal

FILED - 10 September 2025, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Samsung logo can be seen at the Samsung stand during the International Motor Show (IAA Mobility). Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 10 September 2025, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Samsung logo can be seen at the Samsung stand during the International Motor Show (IAA Mobility). Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
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Samsung Appliance Workers to Stage Rally Protesting Chip Workers' Wage Deal

FILED - 10 September 2025, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Samsung logo can be seen at the Samsung stand during the International Motor Show (IAA Mobility). Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 10 September 2025, Bavaria, Munich: FILE PHOTO - The Samsung logo can be seen at the Samsung stand during the International Motor Show (IAA Mobility). Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

Workers in Samsung Electronics' smartphone, television and home appliance division will stage a rally on July 16, their union said, to protest the big bonuses the company's chip workers have negotiated.

Workers in the company's booming semiconductor division recently won a wage deal led by ⁠another union.

The ⁠non-chip division's workers are expected to receive a bonus of 6 million won ($3,900) in treasury shares for 2026, compared to up to 600 ⁠million won for those at the semiconductor division, Reuters quoted Yonhap News Agency as saying.

Roughly 2,000 or 3,000 workers are expected to participate in the rally near Samsung's headquarters in Suwon, Yonhap reported, citing the largest union for workers in the company's mobiles and ⁠consumer ⁠electronics division said.

The union has about 28,000 members.

Samsung is expected to flag its operating profit surged about 18-fold from a year earlier in the second quarter, when it releases its earnings estimate for the April-June quarter on Tuesday.