Cooperating with UNESCO, KSA strengthens its efforts to regulate the ethics of artificial intelligence internationally
Ashraf AboArafe
The International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) is one of the most important efforts made by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) on behalf of the Kingdom to express the interest of the Saudi leadership in the ethics of artificial intelligence so that its good may spread to all of humanity in light of the increasing effects of these technologies on everything surrounding We have institutions and individuals in our contemporary world, which requires the existence of an international regulatory framework that governs dealing with these technology systems.
The Council of Ministers authorized, in its last meeting, His Royal Highness, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority – or his representative – to discuss with UNESCO the draft tripartite agreement between the “Government of the Kingdom” and the “International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics” and “ “UNESCO” regarding the classification of the center as a second category center under its auspices, and its signature on behalf of the Kingdom’s government and the authorization of His Excellency the President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority – or his representative – to discuss with UNESCO regarding the aforementioned draft agreement, and its signature on behalf of the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics, Complementing the existing international efforts made by the Kingdom to contribute to achieving the common good of human societies in various fields, including the ethics of artificial intelligence.
In light of the continuous support that the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority receives from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority – may God protect him – the Authority has intensified its efforts in raising the level of awareness. Using artificial intelligence technologies to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at digital transformation and creating a knowledge society by providing support for research, development and consultation in the field of artificial intelligence, increasing awareness of the ethics of artificial intelligence, and building national capabilities in this field.
The Kingdom was a pioneer in this field, as the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the ICAIRE Center in the city of Riyadh in July 2023, which enjoys legal personality and financial and administrative independence. On November 16, 2023, the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved in its second session The ICAIRE Center in the city of Riyadh was granted the status of a second-class international center under the auspices of UNESCO, through the efforts of Sadaya in cooperation with the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science.
The center highlights four areas: providing support in research and development in the field of artificial intelligence, enhancing awareness and communication regarding the ethics of artificial intelligence, providing recommendations related to artificial intelligence policies as well as building artificial intelligence capabilities, and contributing to global efforts that serve humanity in the fields of intelligence. Artificial.
