Saudi Arabia Designates 2026 as the Year of Artificial

Saudi Arabia Designates 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence

Saudi Arabia declares 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence with a $100 billion investment, launching a 10K AI Leaders program and AI innovation initiatives.

By Islam Global News Editorial Desk

Published: 2 October 2026, 10:11 PM ISTUpdated: 10 October 2026, 9:46 AM IST

2 min read

Saudi Arabia Declares 2026 Year of AI with $100 Billion Plan

Futuristic view of Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram surrounded by glowing AI digital network and drones, representing Saudi Arabia's 2026 Year of AI with $100 billion investment and Smart Haramain technology program for Makkah and Madinah.Photo: Islam Global News / AI Generated / Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia Designates 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence — Smart Technology for Makkah and Madinah

In a landmark decision, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially declared 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom's Vision 2030 transformation.

The Saudi Council of Ministers approved the designation on 10 March 2026, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who also chairs the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

Three Major Islamic AI Announcements:

1. Smart Haramain Program: Saudi Arabia has opened an AI and Technology Innovation Program specifically for Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. The program will use AI for crowd management, real-time monitoring for 2 million+ Hajj pilgrims, and personalized guidance services.

2. 10K AI Leaders for Islamic World: ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim AlMalik announced a "10K Leaders Training Program" across the Islamic World in partnership with ICAIRE during the UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics hosted in Riyadh.

3. AI-Powered 5G for Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia is launching an AI-powered 5G network for Hajj 2026, enabling predictive maintenance and smart services for pilgrims.

This is the first time an Islamic nation has dedicated an entire year to AI with a special focus on serving the two holy mosques through technology. The initiative includes launching the Saudi AI company HUMAIN, backed by PIF.

Applications for Muslim youth from India, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, will open through the SDAIA portal.