Saudi Arabia’s data and artificial intelligence authority will convene 25 specialised sessions and meetings with the World Bank in Belgium and Germany from June 8 to 12, placing AI governance, data management and cross-border regulatory alignment at the centre of Riyadh’s expanding technology diplomacy.The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, known as SDAIA, is using the five-day programme to deepen engagement with European policymakers, international organisations and specialists working on artificial intelligence standards. The agenda covers global best practice in AI governance, data privacy, trusted deployment, public-sector use of emerging technologies and the regulatory implications of the European Union’s AI Act.
The meetings are expected to give Saudi officials a platform to present the kingdom’s national data and AI model while examining how European frameworks are being translated into operational rules for governments and businesses. The timing is significant as Brussels moves towards wider implementation of the EU AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence, while major economies seek common ground on safety, accountability and innovation.
SDAIA’s collaboration with the World Bank builds on a Washington workshop held from April 6 to 10 under the theme “Towards the Future: AI Governance and International Cooperation”. That earlier programme gathered government representatives, international organisations and experts to discuss policy coordination, responsible AI deployment and the development of secure digital ecosystems. The Europe meetings extend that track into jurisdictions where AI regulation is already reshaping corporate compliance and public policy.
The programme in Belgium and Germany is expected to address the practical requirements of AI governance, including risk classification, data protection, model transparency, procurement safeguards, human oversight and the supervision of high-impact AI systems. These issues have moved from technical debate into mainstream economic policy as governments deploy AI in health, education, finance, transport, security and public administration.
Saudi Arabia has positioned SDAIA as the central agency responsible for the national data and AI agenda. Established in 2019, the authority works through affiliated entities including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the National Data Management Office and the National Information Centre. Its mandate covers data governance, national platforms, cloud capabilities, AI strategy and the wider adoption of data-driven services across government.
Riyadh’s wider strategy is tied to Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, improve government efficiency and build high-value technology sectors. Artificial intelligence has become one of the kingdom’s most visible policy priorities, with officials promoting its use in smart cities, healthcare, energy, logistics, education and public services. The designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence has given added momentum to government-led adoption and international outreach.
The European leg of the SDAIA-World Bank engagement is also likely to focus on the EU AI Act’s effect beyond Europe. The law applies a risk-based approach, banning certain uses, imposing obligations on high-risk systems and requiring transparency for specific AI applications. For countries and companies dealing with European markets, the law is becoming a reference point even when domestic regulatory models differ.
Germany and Belgium offer distinct relevance for the discussions. Germany is central to Europe’s industrial AI, manufacturing and standards ecosystem, while Belgium hosts key EU institutions and regulatory policy networks. For Saudi Arabia, engagement in both countries provides access to technical expertise as well as policy conversations shaping how AI rules may influence trade, investment and data flows.
The World Bank’s role gives the programme a development and governance dimension beyond bilateral technology cooperation. Multilateral institutions have been urging governments to balance AI adoption with safeguards on privacy, inclusion, cybersecurity, labour-market disruption and public trust. For emerging digital economies, the challenge is to use AI to improve productivity and public services without creating weak oversight, opaque decision-making or unequal access.
Saudi Arabia’s approach has drawn attention because of the scale of state-led digital transformation and the concentration of data governance functions under SDAIA. Supporters see the model as an advantage for coordinated implementation, especially in government services and national digital infrastructure. Critics of centralised digital systems generally warn that strong governance, transparency and independent accountability are needed to prevent misuse of personal data and automated decision-making.
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