Page 68 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

the iGA established strategic partnerships data protection, in line with global best major cloud computing companies such
with global ICT companies, including practices. These policies lay the foundation as AWS and Microsoft being able to host
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, and for comprehensive cybersecurity and data government systems, thereby boosting
Microsoft. These agreements provide management, underscoring the kingdom's efficiency, accelerating innovation,
infrastructure, technological tools, and dedication to cultivating a secure and and improving eServices. The iGA has
opportunities for knowledge exchange, and reliable digital environment for all users. also trained government employees
support the iGA’s pursuit of eGovernance Al Qaed emphasized the iGA's progress in on Microsoft's AI tools and services,
excellence. A new set of digital policies the development of its cloud computing supporting the kingdom's efforts to adopt
were implemented in 2023 to advance infrastructure through the configuration AI technologies to enhance government
digital transformation and reinforce of a flexible environment conducive to services.

Saudi Arabia Launches Digital Transformation Index 2024 Amid e-Government
Growth

The latest edition of a framework designed comprising 96 standards, down from the government entities. According to the
to enhance e-government services and 125 featured in the previous year’s version. governor, this initiative accelerates the
accelerate digital innovation in Saudi In 2023, a total of 226 government entities pace of digitalization in the Kingdom,
Arabia has been launched. The Digital participated in the index, collectively enhances beneficiary satisfaction, and
Transformation Index for 2024 seeks achieving a progress rate of 85.53 improves quality of life. Saudi Arabia
to elevate the commitment levels of the percent. Furthermore, 88 such bodies has been actively pursuing innovative
public sector to decisions and directives successfully advanced to the innovation initiatives to modernize its infrastructure
concerning technological evolution. and integration stages. In the 2022 index, and enhance its technological capabilities.
Additionally, it aims to improve the government agencies advanced by 80.96 The Kingdom inaugurated the Industrial
quality of e-government services offered percent, compared to 69.39 percent in Artificial Intelligence Academy in February,
to beneficiaries and contribute to the 2021. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Suwaiyan, in partnership with the Saudi Data and
Kingdom’s international leadership in this governor and board member of the Digital Artificial Intelligence Authority and US-
field, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Government Authority, highlighted that based tech firm NVIDIA. The academy
The 2024 index was unveiled during a the DTI serves as a crucial technological highlights the significance of cultivating
virtual workshop organized by tje Saudi empowerment tool for the transformation skilled national talents to compete on
Digital Government Authority that brought journey. He underscored that it reinforces a global scale. Its objective is to equip
together over 2,000 specialists from 233 the strategic objectives of e-governance in a generation proficient in utilizing
government entities, as reported by SPA. the Kingdom, aligning seamlessly with the industrial AI to revolutionize intelligent
The topics covered included refining targets outlined in Vision 2030, which aims environments and processes, while also
measurement methodologies, significant for Saudi Arabia to emerge as a premier promoting partnerships with top technical
revisions to the Digital Transformation global leader in digital administration. Al- organizations to pioneer cutting-edge
Core Criteria document, sharing success Suwaiyan explained that the DTI seeks technologies. Saudi Arabia ranked first
stories from DTI 2023, and outlining to fulfill the requisites of digitization, in the Government Electronic and Mobile
the roadmap for the ongoing cycle. The develop e-governance, and enhance Services Maturity Index for 2023, issued by
document has undergone revisions, now the performance and effectiveness of the UN Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia, maintaining its lead for
the second consecutive time with a high
maturity score of 93 percent in the overall
index result, according to the authority.
The GEMS Index categorizes 17 countries
annually based on the advancement of
84 key government services offered to
both individuals and businesses through
online portals and smart applications,
utilizing three sub-indicators. Saudi Arabia
has achieved distinction by securing
the top position across all categories,
accompanied by significant progress in
each indicator.

68 JANUARY-MARCH 2024