Riyadh ranks among top 100 global innovation hubs for 2026

Riyadh has been ranked among the top 100 global innovation hubs for 2026, according to the Global Innovation Index. The city secured the 92nd position globally, making it the only city in the Gulf region to appear on this list. This achievement is supported by 419 venture capital deals and 162 international patent applications.

Key contributors to this growth include academic institutions such as King Saud University and industrial leaders like Saudi Aramco and SABIC. These efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030 to transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

In tandem with these developments, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is conducting assessments for AI professional badges. Launched during the ICAN 2026 conference, these certifications aim to establish a national framework for evaluating expertise in AI engineering and data science. Over 150 candidates from government, private, and academic sectors have participated in these standardized evaluations to bolster national technical competencies.