In a move that enhances the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading country in the adoption of artificial intelligence in a secure and responsible manner, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, “SDAIA”, announced the launch of the “National Framework for Artificial Intelligence Risk Management”. This framework aims to provide a unified guidance reference for government and private entities to identify, assess, and address artificial intelligence system risks.
What is the National Framework for Artificial Intelligence Risk Management?
Simply put, the framework is a “safety guide” for anyone using artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia — from ministries and government agencies to startups and large institutions. The goal is that any entity using technologies such as ChatGPT or Midjourney or data analysis systems has a clear plan for dealing with potential risks.
Why does Saudi Arabia need this framework now?
The world is witnessing a rapid expansion in the use of artificial intelligence, but with this expansion, new risks emerge that are completely different from the risks of ordinary software. For example:
- Artificial intelligence systems may exhibit unexpected behavior during operation
- Their performance may change over time without a known reason
- Sometimes it’s difficult to explain how the system reached a certain result
- There may be bias in the data that affects decisions
Because Saudi Arabia is investing billions in artificial intelligence as part of Vision 2030, it was necessary to have a national framework that ensures the use of these technologies in a responsible and secure manner.
How does the new framework work?
The framework is based on an integrated risk management cycle with 4 main stages:
- Identifying the context and scope — understanding the environment in which the system is used
- Identifying and assessing risks — analyzing possibilities and potential impact
- Risk treatment — developing plans to deal with them
- Ongoing monitoring and review — because risks change over time
7 key principles the framework is based on
SDAIA has established 7 basic principles for any entity using artificial intelligence:
- Integrity and fairness — the system does not wrong anyone and does not discriminate against a particular group
- Privacy and security — protecting user data
- Humanity — humans remain the primary responsible for decisions
- Reliability and safety — the system operates correctly
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs this framework?
Every entity in Saudi Arabia that uses artificial intelligence systems — government or private. From banks and hospitals to universities and startups. If you have a project that uses AI, this framework is for you.
Where is the framework applied?
Throughout the Kingdom. It includes government agencies in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, as well as private companies in all Saudi cities. It is considered the national accredited reference.
What is the cost of applying the framework?
The framework itself is free — Sdaya provided it as a guiding reference for everyone. The costs of application depend on the size of your institution and the complexity of the artificial intelligence systems you use.
How long does the framework application process take?
It varies depending on the size of the institution. Small establishments may need weeks, while large institutions may need months to fully implement the framework. The important thing is that the process is ongoing — because periodic review is required.
How do I start applying the framework to my institution?
First step: visit Sdaya’s official website and download the National Framework for Artificial Intelligence Risk Management. Then, form an internal team that identifies and evaluates the AI systems in your institution, and start assessing risks according to the matrix provided by the framework.
Conclusion
The launch of Sdaya’s framework is a major step forward for the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia. It ensures that modern technologies serve the community and protect individual rights, which is fully in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a strong and responsible digital economy.
