Saudi Arabia: Adopted Riyadh Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, Global Digital ID and Online Safety

On 16 December 2024, the Riyadh Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, Global Digital ID and Online Safety was adopted. The declaration delineates a global framework for the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI), digital identity (ID), and online safety. The declaration emphasises the role of AI in supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering innovation, and ensuring equitable access to digital opportunities. The declaration also addresses potential risks such as bias, misinformation, and privacy concerns. The declaration advocates for the development of a universal digital ID system, emphasising secure, interoperable, and inclusive frameworks to enable equitable access to services and global economic opportunities. It underscores the significance of cross-border interoperability and advocates for the implementation of an adoption index to assess the effectiveness of digital IDs on a global scale. With regard to the imperative of online safety, the declaration emphasises the necessity of safeguarding data privacy, combating misinformation, and protecting children from cyberbullying through collaborative international efforts. The declaration concludes with a commitment to promote international cooperation.