Countries / Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has no AI statute; SDAIA steers AI through ethics principles and guidelines (including 2026 deepfake guidance), alongside the Personal Data Protection Law and a draft Global AI Hub Law.

Voluntary principlesApproach
3Rules tracked
0Binding and in force
0Upcoming deadlines

In force (2)

  • SDAIA AI Ethics Principles
    GuidelineSaudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)Non-bindingPartly confirmed

    National principles and controls for responsible AI applying to public, private and non-profit entities developing or using AI in Saudi Arabia, covering fairness, privacy and security, humanity, social and environmental benefit, reliability and safety, transparency and explainability, and accountability, with risk-based controls across the AI lifecycle.

    In force
  • SDAIA Deepfakes Guidelines
    GuidelineSaudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)Non-binding

    Guidance for deepfake technology developers, content creators and consumers that distinguishes malicious from beneficial uses and calls for explicit consent, personal-data protection, digital watermarking and source verification.

    In forceEffective 8 May 2026

Proposed or in consultation (1)

  • Global AI Hub Law (draft)
    BillCommunications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)BindingPartly confirmed

    Draft law creating private, extended and virtual 'AI hubs' in Saudi Arabia where data and services of foreign 'guest' or designated states could be governed by those states' laws under bilateral arrangements (a data-embassy model).

    ProposedProposed 14 Apr 2025

What the rules require

Obligation types found across Saudi Arabia's instruments. Filled dot: imposed by a binding instrument. Ring: guidance only.

Risk classificationSDAIA AI Ethics Principles
Transparency to usersSDAIA AI Ethics Principles, SDAIA Deepfakes Guidelines
Labelling AI contentSDAIA Deepfakes Guidelines
Human oversightSDAIA AI Ethics Principles
Data governanceSDAIA AI Ethics Principles, SDAIA Deepfakes Guidelines, Global AI Hub Law (draft)
Bias and non-discriminationSDAIA AI Ethics Principles

Timeline