Saudi Arabia is making AI literacy a central part of its national development strategy, linking digital skills to economic growth, workforce development and responsible AI adoption, according to a new Coursera report.
The report, “Navigating GCC AI Regulation: A Playbook for Building an AI-Literate & Compliant Workforce,” examines AI regulation across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. It identifies KSA as a regional leader in AI readiness and regulatory maturity, supported by initiatives including the National Strategy for Data and AI.
Coursera’s Middle East and Africa General Manager Kais Zribi said organizations need to equip employees to use AI responsibly as proficiency becomes increasingly important for regulatory readiness, resilience and innovation. The report recommends role-based training covering privacy, cybersecurity and AI governance, with compliance built into AI systems from the start.
Saudi Arabia introduced a national AI curriculum in 2025 that is expected to reach six million students and includes guidance on the responsible use of generative AI. SDAIA’s SAMAI initiative aims to train one million Saudis, while other public-private partnerships are expanding access to AI education.
The report advises businesses to assess AI capability gaps, align training with Saudization objectives and embed AI literacy into governance frameworks. It warns that companies that overlook these skills could face wider workforce gaps, weaker compliance readiness and reduced competitiveness.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
