Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally in AI Cybersecurity Indicators

Saudi Arabia has ranked second globally in corporate awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) cybersecurity risks and the protection of sensitive data in corporate AI systems, according to the IMD World Digital and AI Ranking 2026. Released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the index assesses 70 economies across a range of digital and AI indicators.

The Kingdom also placed fourth globally in three categories: implementation of its national AI strategy, corporate adoption of AI technologies and public access to AI tools.

In overall AI adoption, Saudi Arabia ranked fifth worldwide, matching its position in public trust in AI, regulatory frameworks addressing AI-related issues and corporate investment in the technology.

The report placed the Kingdom seventh globally in AI skills, the use of AI by cities to improve public services and corporate efforts to address bias in AI algorithms. It also ranked eighth in AI readiness, ninth in private-sector AI investment and 11th in AI and capital investment.

The 2026 ranking evaluates economies using 88 criteria across five areas: governance, technology and infrastructure, efficiency, workforce development and values. The United States ranked first overall, followed by Singapore and the Netherlands.