SDAIA: AI's Role in Boosting Returns, Sustainability in Sports Investment
Esam Alwagait, Director of the National Information Center at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), emphasized that sports have evolved beyond traditional competition to become a strategic industry with significant economic, social, and cultural impact—an evolution closely aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Speaking at a panel during the Sports Investment Forum (SIF), Dr. Alwagait stressed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing the sports sector. He pointed to the importance of harnessing AI capabilities, especially as Saudi Arabia continues to attract major international sporting events and prepares to host landmark tournaments, including the 2029 Asian Winter Games and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Dr. Alwagait highlighted that AI can play a critical role in maximizing returns on sports investments and ensuring their long-term sustainability. He also noted that data-driven insights are essential for informed decision-making across infrastructure planning, sponsorship optimization, and community sports initiatives—all of which contribute to the Kingdom's broader economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.
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