Saudi Arabia: draft Global AI Hub Law (CST public consultation, April-May 2025)

Summary

Saudi Arabia has no AI-specific law. On April 14, 2025, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) opened a public consultation, running to May 14, 2025, on a draft Global AI Hub Law. Despite its name, the draft deals with hosting data rather than regulating AI systems: it would let foreign governments and companies host data and services in the Kingdom under three models (private, extended and virtual hubs), allowing foreign entities to keep data in Saudi Arabia under their own governing law. Law firm CMS's guide to Saudi AI regulation, updated February 17, 2026, says the draft has not been enacted and is not in force. Separately, the Cabinet designated 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence, and the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) issued guidelines for the year.

Key dates

1. April 14, 2025Key date
2. October 20, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 20, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. Saudi Arabia – Global AI Hub Law (RAI-SA-NA-DGAHPXX-2025) is Draft in Saudi Arabia as of 9 Sep 2026

   Supports: Draft status (aggregator only)

   invited feedback through the Saudi Istitlaa public consultation platform and via a dedicated CST mailbox

   Supports: Consultation channel

   Saudi Arabia – Global AI Hub Law Regulations.AI Tracker or database

2. SDAIA Issues Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026’s Guidelines to Unify National Efforts and Showcase Saudi Leadership in Advanced Technologies

   Supports: SDAIA guidelines for the Year of AI (page title only; body renders with JavaScript)

   SDAIA Issues Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026's Guidelines Saudi Press Agency Primary source

3. On 14 April 2025, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) issued a public consultation on the draft Global AI Hub Law.

   Supports: Consultation April 14, 2025

   The draft law introduces three different types of hubs which are (1) private hubs, (2) extended hubs, and (3) virtual hubs.

   Supports: Three hub models

   Saudi Arabia releases a draft Global AI Hub Law Clyde & Co Reporting or analysis

4. the move was underscored by the Saudi Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday

   Supports: Cabinet approval (article dated March 11, 2026)

   Saudi Arabia designates 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence Arab News Reporting or analysis

5. The feedback starts from April 14, 2025, until May 14, 2025, through: Public Consultation Platform

   Supports: Consultation dates April 14 to May 14, 2025 (CST's own release, dated 14/4/2025)

   It also includes three advanced models: “Private Center”, targeting various countries around the world to host their data and services in the Kingdom

   Supports: Three hub models; hosting of foreign countries' data and services

   CST Publishes a Public Consultation for the Global AI Hub Law Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Primary source

6. Saudi Arabia does not currently have an AI-specific law and has not announced any formal legislative process to enact one.

   Supports: No AI-specific law

   allowing foreign entities to host data within Saudi Arabia under their own governing legislation. This draft law has not been enacted to date.

   Supports: Hosting under foreign law; draft not enacted

   It does not regulate AI systems or model governance. It remains a draft and is not yet in force.

   Supports: Scope (data hosting, not AI regulation); draft, not in force

   Last updated · 17 Feb 2026

   Supports: Date of CMS's status statement

   AI laws and regulations in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (CMS Expert Guide, AI regulation scanner) CMS Reporting or analysis