Saudi Arabia secures top global rankings in IMD’s 2026 AI Index
Saudi Arabia achieved high global rankings in the IMD World Digital and AI Ranking 2026. The study assessed 70 countries. Saudi Arabia ranked second globally for company awareness of AI cybersecurity risks and data protection. It placed fourth for the implementation of its national AI strategy, corporate AI adoption, and public access to AI technologies. The country also ranked fifth for overall AI adoption and public trust in AI.
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has achieved leading global positions in several artificial intelligence (AI) indicators in the IMD World Digital and AI Ranking 2026, released on Wednesday by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), which assesses 70 countries. Saudi Arabia ranked second globally in companies’ awareness of AI-related cybersecurity risks and protection of sensitive data in corporate AI systems. It placed fourth globally in three indicators: implementation of the national AI strategy, corporate adoption of AI, and public access to AI technologies. Saudi Arabia ranked fifth globally in AI adoption and in three sub-indicators: public trust in AI, regulatory frameworks for AI-related issues, and corporate investment in AI. It ranked seventh globally in AI skills, cities’ use of AI to improve service quality, and companies’ efforts to address bias in AI algorithms. It also placed eighth in AI readiness, ninth in private-sector AI investment, and 11th in AI and capital investment. The results reflect Saudi Arabia’s progress in developing its data and AI ecosystem, strengthening readiness, and expanding AI adoption across sectors. They also highlight efforts to develop national capabilities, stimulate investment, and improve regulatory frameworks, enhancing globalcompetitiveness and supporting Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.