Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is spearheading an international initiative aimed at enhancing global capabilities in artificial intelligence. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside the Republic of Kenya, has urged countries worldwide to contribute to the Global Network of AI Capacity Building Centers. This initiative is part of the Global Digital Compact recommendations, supported by the United Nations, and represents a significant step towards fostering international cooperation, responsible innovation, and providing comprehensive opportunities for capacity building in the field of artificial intelligence on a global scale.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the call for contributions was made during a high-level session organized by Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and the International Centre for Research and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (ICAIRE), with support from the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies. This initiative is in line with the United Nations Secretary-General’s report titled “Innovative Voluntary Funding Options for Building AI Capacities.”
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Kenya, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of India, and the Republic of Kazakhstan have all committed to contributing to the global network through several of their centers. They have invited other member states to support this initiative, join the efforts to establish the network, and participate in the implementation of its programs. Additionally, entities from the private sector and academia, such as WorldQuant University, Cisco, and Oracle, have expressed their willingness to collaborate with the network to develop skills across government sectors, universities, small and medium enterprises, and civil society organizations.
The Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Singh, has encouraged member states to consider establishing these centers. These centers are designed to facilitate the exchange of experiences and cooperation among nations and are supported by the United Nations.
Ambassador Philippe Thiago, the UN Special Envoy for Technology in the Republic of Kenya, underscored the importance of capacity building for the safe and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the need for cooperation to enhance institutional preparedness and to bridge the AI gap in developing countries. Ambassador Thiago reiterated Kenya’s commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders, backed by the United Nations, to establish and develop capacity-building centers aimed at enhancing AI capabilities in developing regions.