Record STMT-W87BE86Legally binding

Global AI Hub Law

Legislation State lawWestern Asia · SAin forceNot AI-specific

The Global AI Hub Law establishes a legal framework in Saudi Arabia for creating Private, Extended, and Virtual Hubs—specialized data centers hosted in the Kingdom that can operate under foreign laws and be granted specific privileges and immunities through bilateral agreements. The law aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global digital hub, attract foreign investment, and support advanced technology research while safeguarding national security and sovereignty. It sets out the responsibilities of the competent authority, operators, and service providers, alongside provisions for compliance, enforcement, and termination.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Council of MinistersGovernment (executive) · SA

Lead issuer

Legal forceLegally binding

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentRegulatorsPublic sector bodiesCompaniesInternational community

This law is for policymakers, international partners, data center operators, and service providers engaging in cross-border digital infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia.

Sectors

Telecommunications and digital services · data centers and digital infrastructurePublic administration · government digital services

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers the legal framework for establishing and operating cross-border data hubs (Private, Extended, and Virtual Hubs) in Saudi Arabia, detailing bilateral agreements, jurisdictional applications, privileges, and immunities.

What's missing

The text lacks specific technical standards, algorithmic governance details, and AI-specific definitions or obligations.

Key takeaways

The law enables the establishment of Private, Extended, and Virtual Hubs within Saudi Arabia to host foreign data, infrastructure, and services.
Private and Extended Hubs involve bilateral agreements and can recognize appropriate immunities and privileges for staff and premises.
Virtual Hubs allow service providers to host customer content subject to the laws and jurisdictions of designated foreign states.
The Council of Ministers holds authority to terminate agreements and revoke approvals to protect national security, safety, and sovereignty.
The law supersedes prior relevant legislation and applies sixty days after publication in the Official Gazette.

Outline

· Article 1: Definitions
· Article 2: Purpose of the Law
· Article 3: Establishment of Private Hub
· Article 4: Operation of Private Hub
· Article 5: Establishment of Extended Hub
· Article 6: Operation of Extended Hub
· Article 7: Establishment of Virtual Hub
· Article 8: Operation of Virtual Hub
· Article 9: Termination
· Article 10: Obligations of the Competent Authority
· Article 11: No derogations
· Article 12: Closing provisions

Issued14 April 2025

Length2,950 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Each Guest Country shall manage the operation of the data centre(s) identified as a Private Hub according to the objectives of this Law and subject to the terms of the Bilateral Agreement and under its full responsibility and liability.

Article 4

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

0/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

2/5

Protection of personal data and private life

including a commitment to apply international best practices for data protection, cybersecurity and the provision of data centre related services.

Article 6

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

0/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

4/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

The Council of Ministers or its delegate may order the termination of any Agreement, Bilateral Agreement or other arrangements entered into pursuant to this Law

Article 9

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

0/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

data_sovereignty digital_infrastructure cloud_computing international_agreements data_centers