Saudi Arabia has pushed for a global framework to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) grounded in humanitarian and democratic values. This move has left many rights activists incredulous, especially those who fight for the freedom of individuals imprisoned for years for critiquing the government online.
On the occasion of being chosen to host the United Nations’ Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh in December 2024, Saudi officials launched the event with a call for global standards to ensure AI is accountable, transparent, and fair. They argued for a global digital identity system, asserting that such measures would make AI trustworthy and benefit everyone.
However, human rights organizations criticized Saudi Arabia for hosting this forum, particularly given its ongoing prosecution of individuals for online expression. For instance, in September, the government changed Nasser al-Ghamdi’s death sentence to a 30-year prison term due to his critical posts online.
According to Freedom House, Saudi Arabia ranks among the world’s 20 most oppressive nations, alongside Myanmar and Belarus. Its internet restrictions place it as the eighth-worst country for digital freedoms out of 72 analyzed.
Groups like Freedom House accuse Saudi Arabia and similar regimes of leveraging these international platforms to legitimize their oppressive practices. They argue that discussions initiated by such governments can reshape global agreements to mirror authoritarian ideals rather than promote free and open societies.
At the IGF, Saudi officials unveiled what they termed the Riyadh AI Declaration. They expressed a vision of technology that is equitable and accessible, free of misinformation, and respectful of privacy. Saudi representatives emphasized the need for global consensus on ethics to safeguard individuals against unauthorized surveillance.
Conversely, activists recount a different reality. Many feared retribution simply for attending the conference, aware that the Saudi government uses technology to suppress dissent. Duaa Dhainy from the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights lamented, “Saudi Arabia uses technology to maintain power, not to benefit humanity.” She highlighted the government’s use of surveillance tools against activists and questioned the legitimacy of their calls for transparency.
Despite the oppressive atmosphere, some rights advocates attended the conference to shed light on human rights violations in the region. They reported incidents of sessions disrupted by hacks, where inappropriate content was streamed during discussions on serious topics.
Dana Ahmed, a researcher at Amnesty International, shared that materials advocating for people like Manahel al-Otaibi, imprisoned for speaking out on women’s rights, were confiscated. The same fate befell leaflets detailing the wrongful imprisonment of Neth Nahara for criticizing her government.
Followers of the conference pointed out specific cases of repression, including Osama Khalid and Salma al-Shehab, both sentenced to decades in prison for their online actions. Adeboye Adegokem reported an alarming incident during a discussion that turned chaotic when the Zoom session was hijacked.
From her remote location, Lina al-Hathloul addressed the forum via video link, fearing arrest if she traveled to Saudi Arabia. She highlighted the ongoing struggles of her family and others like her sister, who endured severe abuses after advocating for women’s rights.
When asked about the incidents and the proprietary nature of the IGF platform, the UN Secretariat acknowledged the disruption due to “Zoom bombing” but stated it was quickly addressed. They reaffirmed the necessity of dialogues with all nations to develop a consensus on digital governance grounded in human rights.
Saudi authorities chose not to comment.