Science and Technology / World Bank: Kingdom Presents a Global Model for Responsible Innovation in AI in Education

Riyadh, Safar 17, 1448 AH – July 2, 2026 AD – The World Bank has documented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's experience in employing artificial intelligence in education, confirming that the AI Sandbox initiative in digital education (AI SandboX) represents a pioneering national model that countries and educational systems can benefit from in developing responsible innovation and enhancing the quality of digital education. This came in a study issued by the World Bank titled: "The AI Sandbox for Digital Education in Saudi Arabia: Driving Social and Economic Impact through AI Innovation in Education," which reviewed the Saudi experience as an integrated model combining practical experimentation, capacity building, governance, and coordination of the innovation ecosystem within a national platform led by the National Center for E-Learning. The study confirmed that the initiative contributes to supporting the quality of digital education, developing human capabilities, enhancing national workforce readiness, as well as enabling institutions and innovators to develop and test AI solutions in real and safe educational environments, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and maximizing the social and economic impact of innovation in education. The study indicated that the Saudi experience goes beyond the concept of testing technologies, providing an environment that supports evidence-based knowledge production, enhances partnerships, and accelerates the adoption of responsible innovation, thereby contributing to building a sustainable AI ecosystem in education. The study concluded that the Saudi experience has laid a strong foundation that can be built upon, qualifying it to be a regional and international reference in evidence-based responsible innovation. It is worth noting that the AI Sandbox for Digital Education (AI SandboX), led by the National Center for E-Learning, is implemented within an integrated national system in partnership with a number of government entities, most notably: the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Ministry of Investment, the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), and the Digital Government Authority. This integration has helped align the initiative with national priorities in education, skills, innovation, and digital transformation, and enabled entities and innovators to develop and test AI solutions in real and safe educational environments, enhancing the Kingdom's presence as an international model for responsible innovation in education.