SDAIA launches national data and AI university curriculum

Saudi Arabia introduces mandatory AI course for undergraduates

ICAN 2026 at King Saud University (Image credit: ICAN video)

#SaudiArabia #education – Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has launched the National Cross-Disciplinary Curriculum for University Students in Data and AI to provide university students with practical fundamentals for understanding data and using AI tools responsibly to support learning, work and decision-making, The announcement was made during the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026) held last week at King Saud University in Riyadh. The training will become mandatory for all undergraduates across disciplines at Saudi universities. SDAIA signed memoranda of understanding with 14 public and private universities across the Kingdom to establish frameworks for collaboration developing competitive capabilities in data and AI among students and staff through specialised educational and training programmes.

SO WHAT? – The mandatory data and AI curriculum represents a structural shift in Saudi higher education by embedding AI literacy across all academic disciplines rather than confining it to computer science departments. By enabling non-specialists to use AI tools and applications in their respective domains, the initiative addresses a critical gap between technological capability and practical adoption across sectors from healthcare and engineering to business and humanities. The 14 university partnerships provide implementation infrastructure, ready to create a pipeline of AI-literate graduates entering the labour market with skills applicable to their academic specialisations.

Here are some key points about the new AI curriculum:

• Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) launched the National Cross-Disciplinary Curriculum for University Students in Data and AI during ICAN 2026 (International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building) held 28-29 January at King Saud University in Riyadh.

• The new mandatory curriculum provides university students with practical fundamentals for understanding data and using AI tools responsibly to support learning, work and decision-making, targeting all undergraduates across disciplines at Saudi universities.

• The initiative enables universities to deliver a course in data and AI for all academic programmes, ensuring a minimum level of core knowledge and skills for every student regardless of their field of study.

• The curriculum will enable non-specialists to use AI in their fields through tools, applications and use cases instead of limiting AI education to computer science disciplines, providing skills needed for application and practice in the labour market.

• SDAIA signed memoranda of understanding with 14 public and private universities across the Kingdom to expand national partnerships and strengthen human capacity building in data and artificial intelligence. MoUs were signed with the following universities:

  • Al-Baha University,

  • Alfaisal University,

  • Almaarefa University,

  • Dar Al Hekma University,

  • Effat University,

  • Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University,

  • Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU),

  • King Abdulaziz University,

  • King Saud University,

  • Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University,

  • Prince Sultan University,

  • UBT (University of Business & Technology),

  • University of Jeddah, and

  • University of Prince Mugrin

• The agreements aim to establish frameworks for collaboration between SDAIA and national universities to develop competitive capabilities in data and AI among students and staff through specialised educational and training programmes.

• The initiatives are designed to enhance the readiness of Saudi talent and keep pace with future trends and labour market needs, aligning with broader national human capital development objectives.

• ICAN 2026 was organised by SDAIA in academic partnership with King Saud University, knowledge partnership with the Human Capability Development Program, and strategic partnership with Elm.

ZOOM OUT – Saudi Arabia has been systematically adding AI curricula throughout its education system. In September last year, SDAIA and the National Curriculum Centre launched a comprehensive national AI curriculum spanning elementary school and secondary schools. Six million children started AI lessons across the Kingdom’s public school system as they began the 2025-2026 academic year. The Ministry of Education collaborated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and SDAIA to create age-appropriate AI modules featuring interactive and hands-on teaching methods, supporting the Human Capability Development Program. The Ministry of Education and SDAIA issued guidance for ethical and responsible generative AI usage in general education, preserving teachers’ central role whilst supporting enhanced learning processes through AI tools.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

Read more about Saudi Arabia’s Ai in education initiatives:

• Saudi Arabia launches SAMAI 2 workforce AI initiative (Middle East AI News)

• SAMAI trains over one million Saudis in AI (Middle East AI News)

• Saudi Arabia launches AI school curriculum (Middle East AI News)

• Saudi to deploy nationwide AI education in schools (Middle East AI News)

• Saudi launches AI-powered National Skills Platform (Middle East AI News)