Saudi Arabia’s efforts to embed artificial intelligence into education have received global recognition after the World Bank Group identified the Kingdom’s AI Sandbox for Digital Learning as an international case study in responsible AI innovation.
Developed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and led by the National eLearning Center (NeLC), the initiative provides educators, researchers, startups and institutions with a structured environment to develop, test and refine AI-powered learning solutions before deploying them at scale.
The World Bank said the Saudi model stands out because it combines experimentation, governance, ecosystem collaboration, implementation learning and capacity building within a single national platform. As a result, it offers a practical framework for countries seeking to introduce AI into education responsibly.
AI Sandbox records strong international participation
Since launching in late 2024, the AI Sandbox for Digital Learning has attracted 652 submissions, including seven from international participants. Moreover, it has completed three structured cohorts and engaged 2,884 participants through training programmes and applied learning activities.
The initiative has also drawn users from more than 55 countries, demonstrating growing international interest in Saudi Arabia’s approach to responsible AI adoption in education.
The sandbox currently operates across three strategic pathways:
- Teach with AI, which supports AI-assisted classroom teaching.
- Adaptive Digital Curriculum Development, which focuses on creating intelligent learning content.
- Skills Development and Workforce Alignment, which connects education outcomes with labour market needs.
World Bank highlights ecosystem development and responsible governance
According to the World Bank evaluation, the programme has delivered its strongest impact in ecosystem development.
The report found that the sandbox exceeded several targets for partnerships, institutional collaboration and solution testing. Furthermore, it enabled innovators to validate AI solutions in real educational settings while receiving regulatory guidance and implementation support.
Early pilot projects also showed encouraging outcomes in adaptive learning, learner engagement, accessibility and personalised education. However, the World Bank noted that most pilots involved relatively small groups of between 10 and just over 100 participants and typically lasted less than six months. Consequently, it recommended expanding evidence generation before large-scale implementation.
Institutional readiness remains the next priority
While recognising the programme’s success, the World Bank identified institutional readiness as the next major challenge.
The report cited infrastructure constraints, educator workloads and the need for stronger post-pilot support as factors that could influence wider adoption across schools and higher education institutions.
Therefore, it recommended strengthening collaboration across Saudi Arabia’s education ecosystem, including the Ministry of Education, Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC), the National Curriculum Center, and the National eLearning Center. The report also encouraged building stronger pathways that move successful pilot projects into nationwide implementation.
Saudi Arabia continues expanding its national AI education strategy
The recognition aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to integrate AI across every stage of education.
Last year, SDAIA and the National Curriculum Center introduced a comprehensive national AI curriculum covering elementary and secondary education. As the 2025–2026 academic year began, approximately six million students across public schools started learning AI fundamentals.
In addition, SDAIA recently launched the National Cross-Disciplinary Curriculum for University Students in Data and AI, giving university students practical knowledge of data science and artificial intelligence regardless of their academic discipline.
The World Bank’s recognition reinforces Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping international best practices for responsible AI adoption in education while supporting the Kingdom’s wider digital transformation ambitions.
