Saudi Arabia has called on the international community to strengthen cooperation against terrorist groups exploiting artificial intelligence, delivering the message during a United Nations General Assembly session in New York. The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Alwasil, told delegates that the speed at which AI and other emerging technologies are advancing has opened up new security gaps that no single country can close on its own.
Alwasil warned that extremist organizations are already using digital tools to spread propaganda, recruit new members, raise funds, and plan operations. He argued that closing these gaps requires more than national action. Countries need to share information, build technical capacity together, and coordinate more closely so that the benefits of new technology are not turned into tools for harm.
Saudi Arabia’s Counterterrorism Track Record
The Saudi envoy used the platform to highlight the Kingdom’s long running role in global counterterrorism work. He noted that Saudi Arabia has contributed $110 million toward the United Nations Counter Terrorism Centre and continues to take an active part in several international coalitions, including the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.
He also pointed to the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which applies artificial intelligence and other advanced tools to track and counter extremist content online. That kind of domestic capability building mirrors a broader shift already underway across Saudi government functions, a shift explored further in our coverage of how the Kingdom is accelerating cognitive tech adoption across public administration, healthcare and giga projects.
Alwasil closed his remarks by reaffirming that Saudi Arabia remains committed to working alongside the international community to fight terrorism in every form it takes, while also making sure emerging technologies are developed and deployed in ways that support global peace, security, and sustainable development. That balance between innovation and protection is also central to concerns raised elsewhere in the region, including our report on how the Arab States Broadcasting Union is pushing for an international AI framework to defend media intellectual property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Saudi Arabia call for at the UN General Assembly?
Saudi Arabia called for stronger international cooperation to stop terrorist groups from exploiting artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, urging shared information, technical cooperation, and joint capacity building.
How is Saudi Arabia already fighting extremist use of technology?
Through the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor and counter extremist content online.
How much has Saudi Arabia contributed to UN counterterrorism efforts?
The Kingdom has contributed $110 million to the United Nations Counter Terrorism Centre and remains active in coalitions such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh.
Who delivered Saudi Arabia’s statement at the UN?
Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivered the statement during the General Assembly session in New York.
