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Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have secured spots among the world’s top 20 nations for artificial intelligence (AI) talent density, surpassing established players such as Italy and Russia, according to the latest edition of the Global AI Competitiveness Index.
Read: Building trust in AI: The UAE’s journey to a digital cognitive future
The report, released by the International Finance Forum (IFF) in collaboration with Deep Knowledge Group (DKG), reveals that the UAE and Saudi Arabia account for 0.7 per cent and 0.4 per cent of the global AI talent pool, respectively. The rankings mark a major milestone in the two Gulf nations’ strategic ambitions to become global AI powerhouses.
The IFF, a non-profit organisation founded by G20 member states and institutions including the United Nations and the World Bank, partnered with DKG, a leading AI think tank, to assess global AI progress across research, innovation, and human capital development.
KAUST joins global elite for AI talent
A key highlight from the report is King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), which now ranks among the top 150 universities worldwide for producing AI talent. The university is the highest-ranked institution in the Middle East for AI, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s growing academic and institutional capabilities in the sector.
This achievement reflects the country’s aggressive national strategy, which includes a $20bn investment in partnerships with leading global institutions such as Stanford University. The funding has helped KAUST develop one of the most advanced AI research laboratories in the region.
Beyond infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is nurturing its domestic talent pipeline through initiatives like the “10,000 Coders” program, aimed at training young Saudis in advanced programming and machine learning skills.
“This report is the third in a series focused on global AI competitiveness,” said Chu Jian, a data expert at the IFF Research Institute. “In this edition, we highlight talent as a critical driver of AI product development, research output, and the balance between technological benefits and risks. We aim to provide stakeholders a clear picture of the global AI talent flow and spotlight countries making notable strides.”
AI strategy drives investment and infrastructure
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are deploying national strategies centered around AI to fuel future economic growth. Under its Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom has designated AI as one of seven core pillars of economic transformation, aiming to become one of the top 10 countries globally in AI by the end of the decade.
To support this vision, Saudi Arabia has established the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which accelerates the approval process for AI projects, often within 30 days, and coordinates national efforts across research, governance, and implementation.
Sovereign wealth funds are also playing a key role. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched a $1.5bn AI-focused investment fund. Meanwhile, AI infrastructure accounts for over 30 per cent of the $500bn budget for the NEOM smart city, a flagship Vision 2030 megaproject that aims to set new benchmarks for AI integration in urban planning.
The UAE is also taking bold steps, positioning itself as a leader in AI governance and policy. In 2017, the country appointed the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and has since introduced national AI strategies, R&D hubs, and incentives to attract global talent and tech firms.
“AI talent, in terms of human capital, is the most precious asset for all future economies,” said Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner at Deep Knowledge Group. “Saudi Arabia and the UAE are making bold moves to become AI leaders through strong education systems, regulatory support, and investment in infrastructure.”
World-leading incentives and neutrality in global tech
To compete for elite AI talent, Saudi Arabia is offering compensation packages among the highest in the world. Top AI scientists can earn median annual salaries of $420,000, tax-free, while executives recruited to NEOM may receive signing bonuses of up to $5m. The benefits also include subsidized education for their children and fast-track residency options.
In zones like NEOM, cultural regulations have been relaxed to better accommodate the lifestyles of foreign workers. These changes are designed to attract high-caliber professionals who might otherwise relocate to Silicon Valley, London, or Singapore.
NEOM’s crown jewel, The Line, is set to be the world’s first AI-controlled city, where critical services such as transport and energy will be run by autonomous systems. The city’s advanced biometric and data monitoring systems are expected to enable real-world testing and deployment of next-generation AI technologies.
“Nations that invest in AI talent today are not just shaping their digital future; they’re securing their global competitiveness for decades to come,” said Professor Patrick Glauner, Coordinator of the IFF AI Committee.
Strategically, Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic positioning as a bridge between East and West adds further appeal. With active partnerships in both China and the United States, the Kingdom presents itself as a politically neutral ground for tech development and multinational AI collaboration.
A region on the rise
With AI now viewed as central to future economic and scientific competitiveness, the rise of Saudi Arabia and the UAE as AI talent hubs signals a broader shift in global tech leadership. Their ability to pair ambitious vision with financial muscle and policy coordination offers a potential roadmap for other nations seeking to compete in the next technological frontier.
As the global race for AI dominance intensifies, the Middle East’s growing influence may no longer be an outlier, it may be the beginning of a new AI order.
