A new report by Coursera indicates that Saudi Arabia is integrating AI literacy into its national strategy to support economic growth and workforce development.
The report, titled “Navigating GCC AI Regulation: A Playbook for Building an AI-Literate & Compliant Workforce,” examines the regulatory frameworks across the Gulf region. Notably, the Kingdom connects digital skills directly to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
According to the study, Saudi Arabia stands out in the region for its regulatory maturity and readiness to adopt new technologies. The National Strategy for Data and AI links national competitiveness to large-scale skills development. This approach ensures that organizations can meet governance mandates while advancing their digital transformation goals.
The Role of AI Literacy in National Strategy
Integrating AI literacy into organizational structures helps businesses comply with emerging regulations.
“In Saudi Arabia, successful AI adoption is fundamentally dependent on having a workforce equipped with the skills to use these technologies responsibly.”
Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa
The report suggests that organizations should incorporate regulatory requirements into their training programs from the beginning. This includes role-based training focused on privacy obligations, cybersecurity standards, and model governance. Consequently, businesses can avoid compliance issues after deploying new systems.
National Initiatives and Training Programs
Saudi Arabia has launched several nationwide programs to expand access to digital education. For instance, the national curriculum introduced in 2025 reaches six million students and includes guidelines on generative artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) runs the SAMAI initiative, which aims to train one million citizens.
Currently, more than 500,000 people have registered for the SAMAI program. Public-private partnerships also support these efforts, aiming to provide training to millions of individuals by 2030. These initiatives are critical for modernizing education and training systems across the Kingdom.
Aligning with Saudization and Workforce Goals
The report recommends that businesses align their training programs with national Saudization targets. By connecting skills development to local talent priorities, companies can strengthen their relationships with government entities. This alignment also supports the growth of local expertise and contributes to the broader economy and business sector.
Organizations that neglect training risk widening internal skills gaps and falling out of alignment with national objectives. Because the government acts as both a regulator and a major adopter of technology, non-compliance can affect procurement opportunities and long-term competitiveness.
Best Practices for Organizations
To assist businesses, the playbook outlines nine specific recommendations for building AI literacy across the workforce. These practices include embedding training into governance structures and assessing capability gaps. Furthermore, companies must ensure their learning programs reflect updated regulatory guidelines.
Coursera, which recently combined with Udemy, continues to expand its platform to support these training needs. The platform offers courses, professional certificates, and degrees in partnership with universities and industry leaders.
