Global AI Summit Calls for Global Action to Guarantee AI Innovation is for the "Good of Humanity"
The Global AI Summit (GAIN) in Riyadh concluded on a high
after the summit welcomed more than 30,000 delegates from across the globe over
three days. The live stream of the summit received 3.7m views.
Building on the success
of previous editions, GAIN 2024 featured more than 450 speakers from 100
countries, participating in 150 sessions. It also witnessed over 25 launches
and announcements and facilitated the signing of over 80 agreements and
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The summit, organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority
(SDAIA), has grown exponentially since its inception in 2020. Its growing
prominence reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing AI
capabilities as it positions itself as a global leader in this space.
The key output from the summit was the need for governments and
policymakers to take global action to ensure that AI technology evolves for the
good of humanity. Central to responsible evolution is an ethical framework and
robust governance.
To support the advancement of AI ethics and governance, SDAIA
announced the Riyadh Charter of Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World
in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO). This promotes ethical AI grounded in Islamic values and
principles, as well as sustainable development through international
cooperation.
SDAIA has played a pivotal role in forging key collaborations to
strengthen local and regional AI solutions, signing MoUs with Microsoft Arabia
to develop Arabic language models, IBM for a Center of Excellence in Generative
AI technologies, and NVIDIA to scale AI infrastructure across the Kingdom.
The summit also marked several major milestones. Alongside the
unveiling of ALLaM, the world’s most advanced Arabic Language Model, other
diverse initiatives such as the Global AI Community, the THAKAI Platform, and
guidelines for addressing deepfake technology.
Furthermore, the launch of the Generative AI Center of
Excellence by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the agreement to open
an International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) as a UNESCO
Category 2 Center, further underscored the impact of GAIN 2024.
The summit itself provided the platform for companies from all
over the world to showcase the latest AI technologies and innovations,
including AI generated avatars, AI generated artwork, and even Robotic bar
staff serving beverages.
The summit closed with an inspirational speech from the Director
of Saudi Arabia’s National Information Center, His Excellency Dr.
Esam Alwagait, in which he thanked participants, “Your
candid perspectives have not only inspired us with the vision of what lies
ahead, but have also grounded us in the realities we must face. Together, we
have not only imagined the future of AI, but have also made it real by
addressing the challenges and identifying the enablers needed to truly unlock
its potential.”
He added, “It has been incredibly inspiring to see
the world come together here in Riyadh, united by momentum to make AI work for
everyone. The commitment to collaborative action has been evident throughout
the summit.”
The success of GAIN 2024 ensures that the Kingdom’s AI
infrastructure will be significantly strengthened and has cemented Saudi Arabia
position at the center of global AI.
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