RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into its national education system as part of Vision 2030, positioning advanced technology at the heart of curriculum reform and digital skills development.
The Kingdom aims to equip more than 6 million general education students with AI-related skills by 2025, embedding artificial intelligence across learning pathways from an early stage. The initiative reflects a broader ambition to establish Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in digital capability and AI-enabled innovation.
A coordinated national effort launched in 2025 brings together the National Centre for Curriculum, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The program is designed not only to teach students how to use AI tools, but also to enable AI-driven learning experiences within classrooms.
AI applications are being deployed to support both students and educators. Beyond student instruction, AI tools are assisting teachers in lesson planning and curriculum design, helping personalise learning and improve instructional efficiency.
During the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building, hosted by SDAIA at King Saud University in Riyadh, government representatives and industry leaders outlined progress and future plans for scaling AI education nationwide.
Bedour Alrayes, deputy CEO of the Human Capability Development Program under Vision 2030, emphasised that the initiative focuses on practical application rather than theoretical exposure. She noted that integrating AI into everyday learning is intended to build confidence and real-world competence among students.
Parallel efforts in the private sector are supporting the national agenda. Technology companies have expanded training initiatives, with IBM reporting that it has trained 500,000 individuals in AI-related skills and targeting 1 million Saudis by 2030.
The education reform aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to strengthen its digital economy, enhance workforce readiness, and cultivate homegrown expertise in emerging technologies.
