Saudi Arabia is embedding AI literacy into its national strategy to support economic growth, workforce upskilling, and responsible AI adoption, according to a new report.
The kingdom stands out in the GCC for its regulatory maturity and AI readiness, according to a new report from Coursera.
Initiatives such as the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI), which links national competitiveness to large-scale AI and digital skills development, underscore Saudi Arabia’s advanced policy framework and long-term commitment to AI-driven growth.
The report, Navigating GCC AI Regulation: A Playbook for Building an AI-Literate & Compliant Workforce, examines the regulatory landscape in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. It highlights a distinctive regional approach in which AI literacy is treated not as a standalone skills initiative, but as a strategic pillar that helps organizations meet governance mandates while strengthening the capabilities needed to realize digital transformation ambitions.
Unlike many approaches to AI regulation in Europe and North America, where talent development and policymaking often progress independently, Saudi Arabia’s approach directly links AI literacy to the national goals of Vision 2030, positioning digital skills and workforce preparedness as core drivers of economic diversification, the report says.
Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: “In Saudi Arabia, successful AI adoption is fundamentally dependent on having a workforce equipped with the skills to use these technologies responsibly. With foundational AI proficiency becoming a critical driver for both regulatory readiness and organizational resilience, businesses that proactively prioritize upskilling will be better positioned to navigate evolving regulations, accelerate innovation, and unlock AI’s full value.”
The report notes that organisations are increasingly expected to integrate regulatory requirements into their AI systems, processes, and learning programs from the outset, rather than addressing compliance after deployment. This includes role-based training tailored to privacy obligations, cybersecurity standards, and model governance expectations.
Saudi Arabia is also translating its strategy into action through nationwide initiatives. The Kingdom’s national AI curriculum, introduced in 2025, is reaching six million students and includes guidance on the responsible use of Generative AI (GenAI). Meanwhile, SDAIA’s SAMAI initiative aims to train one million Saudis, with more than half a million already registered. Public-private partnerships are also helping expand access to AI training, with national programs targeting millions of individuals by 2030.
Organisations that fail to invest in AI literacy risk widening internal skills gaps and signaling misalignment with government objectives.
In Saudi Arabia, where the government plays a central role as both regulator and a leading adopter of AI, this can affect compliance readiness, procurement opportunities, and long-term competitiveness.
To help businesses respond, the report outlines nine best practices for building an AI-literate workforce. These include embedding AI literacy into governance structures rather than treating it solely as a learning function, assessing AI-related risks and capability gaps, and ensuring learning programs reflect emerging regulatory guidelines.
A central recommendation is to align AI training with Saudisation goals and broader workforce planning. By connecting AI upskilling to national talent priorities, companies can strengthen government relationships, support local expertise development, and drive sustainable business value. The report also emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning as technologies advance and regulatory expectations evolve. - TradeArabia News Service
