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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Saudi Arabia’s Governance

Author

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  • Nayera Mohamed Hamed Ibrahim

    (Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, Political Systems and Public Policies Program, Badr University in Cairo (BUC))

Abstract

Why does the Saudi government utilize artificial intelligence? The research questions whether the more the Saudi government utilizes artificial intelligence (AI), the more it endures authoritarianism or not. In fact, an analytical research design based on a neo-institutional approach is applied to the case study. The research examines the concept of isomorphism by addressing the motivations for AI utilization in Saudi Arabia, the outcomes of AI on Saudi Arabia’s authoritarian practices, Saudi citizens’ insights into AI applications in Saudi Arabia, the relationship between legitimacy and stability in the presence of AI in Saudi Arabia, and the impact of culture and cognitive bases on Saudi organizational behavior toward AI in Saudi Arabia. The research concludes the following: Saudi Arabia applies artificial intelligence to keep the political sphere unchangeable. In other words, the more the Saudi government utilizes artificial intelligence, the more it becomes a digital authoritarian tool.

Suggested Citation

  • Nayera Mohamed Hamed Ibrahim, 2024. "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Saudi Arabia’s Governance," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 40(4), pages 500-530, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:40:y:2024:i:4:p:500-530
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X241288590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steinberg, Guido, 2014. "Leading the counter-revolution: Saudi Arabia and the Arab Spring," SWP Research Papers RP 7/2014, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
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    3. Araz Taeihagh, 2021. "Governance of artificial intelligence [Application of artificial intelligence for development of intelligent transport system in smart cities]," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 40(2), pages 137-157.
    4. Cupać, Jelena & Schopmans, Hendrik & Tuncer-Ebetürk, İrem, 2024. "Democratization in the age of artificial intelligence: introduction to the special issue," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 31(5), pages 899-921.
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