Saudi Arabia is accelerating its commitment to artificial intelligence by unveiling a national incubator program aimed at fast-tracking the growth of early-stage AI startups.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) through its Centre of Digital Entrepreneurship, this four-month initiative will provide 20 AI startups with mentorship, funding, dedicated workspaces, and access to government-supported digital incentives. Financial backing will be delivered through the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), while strategic collaborations with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence, SambaNova, and BIM Ventures will offer participating ventures both technical and commercial expertise.
This program aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to diversify the economy, foster a knowledge-driven ecosystem, and reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on oil revenues. The launch follows the recent debut of Humain, a Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed AI firm focused on strengthening national capabilities in data infrastructure, machine learning, and cloud computing.
By focusing on early-stage startups and providing customized support, the incubator is designed to build a robust AI ecosystem, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key regional and global leader in emerging technologies.
