The AI revolution is here and government leaders need to adapt

This revolution is happening now

Every day we download new apps to simplify tasks, aid us in our work or tailor our consumer needs. Whether it’s online groceries, seamless travel and payments, news alerts, health trackers and connecting with loved ones across the globe, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay.

Your smart phone – which you may well be using to read this article – already allows you to access AI. If you have noticed that people in your photos are recognized and tagged, that's AI. And that your map app helps you to find driving routes that avoid the worst traffic, then that's AI too.

AI is happening now. It is affecting our day-to-day lives and will transform societies as a result.

AI is the solution, not the problem

Global workforces are transitioning from manual labour to automation. The OECD’s pre-pandemic Employment Outlook report in 2019 found that 14% of jobs in surveyed countries were at a high probability of automation. And an additional 32% of jobs were likely to be significantly changed by automation.

This change poses challenges, especially for those who lose out to automation. Governments have a responsibility to help people adapt.

Leaders are now asking the question: how can AI help us to govern in ways that are better, smarter, and fairer?

In my discussions with AI experts, one thing has become very clear: AI offers new pathways to development, growth and prosperity.

A new era, with new opportunities

With new industrial revolution comes a new wave of opportunity. The capability of humans, paired with AI has been described by some as a “superpower”.

I believe that government leaders need to bear three key principles in mind as they explore the impact that AI will have on our future:

1. AI is a tool to close economic and social gaps  

Government leaders, especially in developing countries, should view AI as an essential development tool, that provides an additional level of intelligence that accelerates improvement and enhances human performance.

Systems based on AI can enable governments, and the private sector, to become faster and more targeted in their activities and to make fewer mistakes. This can transform areas, from supply chains to healthcare and access to finance.

2. We need to keep focused on improving AI to ensure it responds to people’s needs

Unlike in science fiction, there is no single ‘artificial intelligence’ controlling everything. Instead, there are many different AIs performing a whole range of tasks.

It is vital that those artificial intelligences are responsive to people’s needed and that means ensuring proper diversity in the development of AI, to reflect culture, gender and language, so that they can serve the needs of people in all parts of the world with equal effectiveness.

3. We must deliver policies and programs that attract AI talent and develop skills

Of course, automation by AI will endanger some jobs. But it will also create new ones. The World Economic Forum believes that AI will replace 85 million jobs by 2025, but create 97 million new ones.

The key task for governments is to encourage economic sectors that create new jobs. And to provide skills and training to allow people to benefit.

Saudi Arabia is ahead of the game

Vision 2030 is already generating economic and social progress that will be enjoyed by generations to come. The Kingdom is embracing technology and innovation, and empowering young people and entrepreneurs. This will shape our future for the better and create prosperity for all Saudis.

Saudi Arabia is investing a range of projects to prepare for the future economy. Last year the Kingdom hosted a global AI summit, and launched the National Strategy for Data & AI (NSDAI). The strategy  includes ambitious goals for skilling-up Saudi talent, growing the nation’s startup ecosystem and attaining global leadership in the AI space. It also aims to raise $20 billion in investment for data and AI initiatives.

Our objective is for Saudi Arabia to become one of the global leaders in AI, developing a modern and relevant AI for the region, and harnessing it to accelerate our development and deliver opportunity for our people.

There is a lot that governments can do to prepare for the changes that AI will bring.

The important thing it to be ready for the change, and to open our minds to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead of us.