UNESCO approved the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in presence of other UNESCO members. This affirms the importance of the center’s work in AI-related research and ethics. The center’s accreditation as an international second-class center is a recognition of its vital role in this field, contributing to guiding research, developing ethical and sustainable AI technologies and practices. This accreditation is also significant for Saudi Arabia due to the presence of UNESCO and the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.
These Saudi achievements align with the Kingdom’s continuous support for UNESCO’s mission to promote positivity in people’s lives, reaffirming its commitments locally, regionally, and internationally. The efforts aim to support AI fields and applications for the service of global nations, especially developing countries. This will contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and enhance UNESCO’s priorities, focusing on expanding the use of AI in the Middle East, particularly in Arab countries.
In adopting the ethical recommendations for AI endorsed by UNESCO in November 2021 with the participation of 193 countries, Saudi Arabia stands out as one of the leading countries in this regard. The “Sadaia” Principles of AI Ethics were issued during the second global AI summit in September 2022.
The establishment of a new center named “International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics” was approved by the Cabinet. The center will be founded in Riyadh with legal, financial, and administrative independence on July 25, 2023.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this center supports efforts to achieve leadership in AI and enhance its role in coordinating international and regional cooperation in AI policies, ethics, and research.
The center’s work is expected to focus on four specific areas, including providing support and development in AI, increasing awareness and communication about AI ethics, offering policy recommendations related to AI, building AI capabilities, and contributing to global efforts that serve humanity in AI fields.
