Here’s something that might surprise a lot of people — but probably shouldn’t. Saudi Arabia has officially been ranked first in the world for public sector AI adoption, according to the newly released Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026 by Public First and the Center for Data Innovation, with sponsorship from Google.
That’s not a regional ranking. Not a Middle Eastern benchmark. First. Globally. Ahead of Singapore, India, and every major Western economy surveyed.
What the Numbers Actually Say
The index surveyed 3,335 public servants across 10 countries — including the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, India, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia — evaluating five dimensions: Enthusiasm, Empowerment, Enablement, Embedding, and Education.
Saudi Arabia topped every single category. Two-thirds of the Kingdom’s public sector workers report using AI tools on a daily basis. Nearly half have been using AI for over a year. Around 77% say their organization has actively invested in AI, and over a third report that their workplace played a primary role in teaching them how to use it.
Honestly? Those aren’t just good numbers — they’re remarkable. For context, globally, only 18% of public servants believe their governments are using AI “very effectively.” Saudi Arabia is clearly operating on a different level.
More Than Just Enthusiasm
It’s one thing to be excited about AI. It’s another to actually embed it into daily workflows — and that’s where Saudi Arabia stands out. The Kingdom hasn’t just encouraged adoption; it’s built the infrastructure for it. Clear policies, integrated workflows, and formal processes supporting consistent use across government agencies.
The training story is interesting too. About 84% of Saudi public servants have received AI training, though the report notes that half said it focused more on compliance than practical skills. That’s the next frontier: moving from “here’s what you can’t do” to “here’s how to actually get the most out of these tools.”
Vision 2030 in Action
This ranking doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s the natural outcome of years of strategic investment under Vision 2030. From the establishment of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) to massive infrastructure deals like HUMAIN’s $1.2 billion expansion and AWS’s $5 billion commitment, the Kingdom has been laying the groundwork for exactly this kind of result.
And it’s not just about the money. It’s about culture. When two-thirds of your government workforce is using AI daily — not because they have to, but because the tools and support are there — that says something about how deeply digital transformation has taken root.
What Comes Next?
Rachel Wolf, CEO of Public First, put it well: “Many governments have ambitious plans for AI in the public sector, but some are creating better conditions for real-world use than others.” Saudi Arabia, it seems, isn’t just creating conditions — it’s setting the standard.
The challenge ahead is translating that enthusiasm and training into deeper, practical expertise. But with the foundation already built and adoption rates that other nations can only aspire to, the Kingdom is well-positioned to lead the next chapter of government AI transformation.
For a country that only began its formal AI push a few years ago, first place globally isn’t just impressive. It’s a statement.
