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Saudi Arabia’s AI Surge: Leading The Charge In Women’s Empowerment And Job Growth

Saudi Arabia has cemented its position as a rising powerhouse in artificial intelligence, securing the top global ranking for women’s empowerment in AI, according to Stanford University’s AI Index Report 2025. The Kingdom is also making waves in AI job growth, talent attraction, and cutting-edge model development—key indicators of its broader push to dominate the global AI landscape.

AI Talent And Job Growth: A Strategic Push

Saudi Arabia’s aggressive investment in AI is paying off. The Kingdom now ranks third worldwide in AI job growth for 2024 and fourth in developing leading AI models. It stands alongside the United States, China, France, Canada, and South Korea as one of only seven nations producing advanced AI models—an impressive feat for a country rapidly scaling its digital economy.

A Rising AI Hub: Attracting Global Talent

Ranked eighth globally in AI talent attraction, Saudi Arabia is becoming a magnet for top-tier professionals. Strategic initiatives, a robust research ecosystem, and a business-friendly regulatory framework make the Kingdom an increasingly attractive destination for AI experts seeking opportunities in a fast-growing market.

Women At The Forefront Of AI

Perhaps the most striking achievement is Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in empowering women in AI, with the highest female-to-male ratio in the sector. This milestone is the result of targeted national policies that foster inclusion, skills development, and leadership opportunities for women in technology. Programs like “Elevate,” a partnership with Google Cloud designed to train over 25,000 women in AI and tech, are shaping a new generation of female AI leaders. Additional initiatives, including specialized training camps and capacity-building programs, are reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to gender diversity in STEM fields.

Saudi Arabia’s AI Vision: Scaling To Global Leadership

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s AI dominance is the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which is spearheading national efforts to drive AI adoption. SDAIA’s strategy focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure, developing policy frameworks, and accelerating AI investment to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in artificial intelligence. These moves align seamlessly with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a knowledge-driven economy powered by innovation.

As Saudi Arabia continues its AI expansion, the message is clear: the Kingdom is not just participating in the AI revolution—it’s setting the pace.

Cyprus Labor Costs Rise 3.8% As Wage Growth Accelerates

Labor costs in Cyprus rose 3.8% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, according to provisional figures from the Statistical Service, or Cystat.

The increase accelerated slightly from 3.4% in the first quarter and exceeded the 3.7% rise recorded a year earlier, pointing to continued pressure on employers’ staffing costs.

Wages And Non-Wage Costs Both Rise

Wages and salaries per hour worked increased 3.9% from a year earlier, while non-wage costs rose 3.6%. Both rates were higher than in the first quarter, when wage costs increased 3.4% and non-wage costs 3%.

On an unadjusted basis, the total labor cost index rose to 121.87 in the second quarter, from 119.43 in the previous quarter and 117.38 a year earlier, using 2020 as the base year.

The wages and salaries index reached 122.20, compared with 119.79 in the first quarter and 117.64 a year earlier. The non-wage cost index rose to 120.48 from 117.92 and 116.33, respectively.

Quarterly Growth Also Picks Up

After seasonal adjustment, total hourly labor costs increased 1% from the previous quarter. Wages and salaries also rose 1%, while non-wage costs increased 0.9%.

That was faster than the quarterly growth recorded a year earlier, when seasonally adjusted total labor costs and wages each rose 0.6% and non-wage costs increased 0.5%.

The latest figures show that labor costs continue to rise in Cyprus, with both wages and additional employment expenses contributing to the increase.

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