Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions may Threaten Human Rights
During his recent Middle East tour, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of new deals with Saudi Arabia, claiming they were worth over US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion)—though that figure is likely exaggerated. What is clearer is that many of the agreements focus on developing artificial intelligence (AI).
This followed the launch of a new AI company, Humain, by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Part of Saudi Arabia’s state-run investment arm, Humain aims to build advanced Arabic large language models—potentially impacting over 450 million Arabic speakers globally.
These moves reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader goal of becoming a global AI leader as it shifts its economy beyond oil. However, the rise of AI in the kingdom may come with serious human rights concerns.
Authoritarian Rule and Limited Civil Liberties
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy where the unelected king holds complete control over governance. Freedom House reports that the country severely limits political rights and civil liberties.
Human Rights Watch has criticized Saudi Arabia for various human rights abuses, including suppressing dissent and targeting critics of the government.
A notable case occurred in October 2018, when prominent journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A 2021 U.S. intelligence report found that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the killing.
Discrimination against women remains a significant concern, contributing to broader worries about the lack of personal freedoms in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Bold Investment in AI Leadership
Saudi Arabia is ramping up efforts to boost economic growth while establishing itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The country’s AI investment plans are ambitious—according to the Global AI Index, Saudi Arabia has pledged over $40 billion in public AI spending over the next decade, surpassing commitments made by both the U.S. and China.
At the center of this push is Humain, a newly launched state-backed AI company. This week, Humain partnered with NVIDIA, which will supply Saudi Arabia with hundreds of thousands of advanced GPUs over the next five years to build AI data centers. Humain will also use NVIDIA’s platform to develop “digital twins” to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
Humain also revealed a US$5 billion agreement with Amazon Web Services to support the construction of AI infrastructure across the country.
AI at the Core of Saudi Arabia’s Urban Transformation
Saudi Arabia is integrating AI far beyond tech development. The technology is a key component of urban planning efforts, especially in its futuristic megacity project, The Line. AI is also being used to optimize traffic flow and increase energy efficiency.
Public sentiment around AI in Saudi Arabia is notably positive. A 2022 Ipsos survey found that 76% of Saudi adults believed AI-driven products and services offer more benefits than drawbacks, significantly higher than the global average of 52%.
Saudi Arabia already employs AI and digital technologies to monitor its population and suppress dissent. Reports indicate that spyware was used on devices belonging to relatives of Jamal Khashoggi before his assassination.
A Futuristic Vision or a Surveillance City?
The country’s futuristic megacity, The Line, is expected to include digital tracking systems, prompting some critics to label it a “surveillance city.”
Given Saudi Arabia’s history, the rapid growth of its AI capabilities raises concerns. Political scientist Nayera Mohamed Hamed Ibrahim called it a “digital authoritarian tool” reinforcing the monarchy’s control.
As Saudi Arabia advances its AI ambitions, there is a growing risk that the technology could further strengthen its authoritarian grip.
Read the original article on: Techxplore
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