Saudi Arabia is embedding AI literacy into its national strategy to support economic growth, workforce upskilling, and responsible technology adoption.
A new report by Coursera, titled “Navigating GCC AI Regulation: A Playbook for Building an AI-Literate & Compliant Workforce,” highlights the Kingdom’s regulatory maturity and readiness. The country directly links digital skills development to national competitiveness.
The report examines the regulatory environment across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. It notes that regional policymakers treat digital skills as a strategic pillar to meet governance mandates. This approach differs from Europe and North America, where talent development and policymaking often progress independently.
National Strategy and Vision 2030
The National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI) serves as the framework for these developments. By linking skills development to the goals of Vision 2030, the Kingdom positions workforce preparedness as a driver of economic diversification. This alignment helps organizations strengthen their relationships with government entities.
Integrating AI literacy into Workforce Training
Organizations must prioritize AI literacy to ensure compliance with emerging regional regulations. Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, stated that successful technology adoption depends on a skilled workforce. He noted that foundational proficiency is critical for regulatory readiness and organizational resilience.
“In Saudi Arabia, successful AI adoption is fundamentally dependent on having a workforce equipped with the skills to use these technologies responsibly. With foundational AI proficiency becoming a critical driver for both regulatory readiness and organizational resilience, businesses that proactively prioritize upskising will be better positioned to navigate evolving regulations, accelerate innovation, and unlock AI’s full value.”
Kais Zribi, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera
Nationwide Initiatives and SAMAI
Saudi Arabia is implementing several nationwide programs to expand digital skills. The national AI curriculum, introduced in 2025, reaches six million students and includes guidance on generative AI. Additionally, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) manages the SAMAI initiative, which aims to train one million citizens. More than 500,000 individuals have already registered for this program.
Best Practices for Organizations
The report outlines nine best practices for businesses to build an AI literacy program. These recommendations include embedding skills development into governance structures and assessing capability gaps. Organizations are also advised to align training with Saudization goals to support local expertise. Failing to invest in these skills may affect compliance readiness and procurement opportunities.
Coursera, established in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, provides access to learning programs globally. The platform recently combined with Udemy to expand its skills development offerings. It partners with universities and industry entities to deliver courses in data science, business, and technology.
