Building bridges in AI: From national strategy to shared opportunity

AI is no longer an abstract idea. It’s here and it’s now — reshaping industries, economies and societies. But its meteoric rise demands more than mere adoption. It also needs vision, governance and a shared purpose.

As Deputy Co-Chair of the Saudi Arabia South Africa Business Council, I have the privilege of contributing to one of the most ambitious AI journeys currently underway: Saudi Arabia’s.

Why Saudi Arabia’s AI strategy matters

Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data and AI, led by the Saudi Data & AI Authority, has set bold objectives to bring their AI transformation to life:

• Train more than 20,000 data and AI professionals, including 5,000 scientists, by 2030.
• Embed AI into national curricula and professional training.
• Deploy AI in critical sectors such as healthcare, finance and transportation.
• Contribute 12% of gross domestic product (GDP) through AI by 2030.

These goals are backed by five pillars: governance, ecosystem enablement, research and ethics, talent development, and infrastructure. Together, these pillars represent a holistic approach that balances innovation and responsibility.

More than a technological roadmap, this is a blueprint for how nations can deploy AI to diversify their economies, build knowledge-based societies and compete globally.

Lessons for South Africa and beyond

For South Africa and other emerging markets, Saudi Arabia’s approach holds valuable lessons. The most important of these is that AI should not be treated as an isolated technology but as a national priority, integrated into economic diversification, education, regulation and infrastructure planning.

At a time when more than 80% of executives acknowledge that leadership, governance and workforce readiness aren’t keeping pace with advances in AI, there is an opportunity to apply similar thinking in South Africa. When we align AI development with our national priorities, from healthcare access to digital inclusion and sustainable industries, we can ensure that the technology delivers both efficiency and equity.

• ALSO READ → The AI responsibility crisis: Why executive leadership must act now

How collaboration becomes a catalyst

This is where bilateral platforms like the Saudi Arabia South Africa Business Council become critical. They create space for knowledge exchange, joint investments and partnerships that accelerate progress for both nations.

For South African innovators and organizations, engaging with Saudi Arabia’s AI ecosystem can unlock new markets, research opportunities and access to large-scale infrastructure.

South Africa also brings unique strengths to the table — from agile innovation in fintech and mobile services to pioneering work in ethical AI frameworks. These capabilities can enrich Saudi Arabia’s AI journey and highlight Africa’s growing role in the global AI landscape.

Looking ahead: Bridging nations, industries and communities

As AI adoption accelerates, trust will determine its success. Nations and organizations that prioritize ethical frameworks, transparency and inclusion can avoid risks and unlock the broadest benefits — accelerating innovation, creating skilled jobs, driving sustainable development and strengthening public confidence in technology. Here, collaboration between regions is vital in sharing regulatory approaches, codeveloping ethical standards and ensuring that AI is built for people, not just for profit.

My new role on the council comes with a responsibility to help shape an AI strategy that bridges nations, industries and communities. But the bigger opportunity is to redefine what AI leadership looks like. Looking beyond rankings and GDP impact, it’s also about creating ecosystems where innovation thrives responsibly, talent is nurtured inclusively and technology serves the greater good.

South Africa and Saudi Arabia are at different stages of their AI journeys, but our paths are converging. By working together, we can build something greater than the sum of our parts — an AI-powered future built on shared progress and mutual growth.

• ALSO READ → From cockpit to command center: How agentic AI is redefining business operations