Summary: 1. Introduction. – 1.1. Research Context and Significance. – 1.2. Research Problem and Gap. – 1.3. Research Objectives and Questions. – 1.4. Contribution and Structure. – 2. Literature Review and Conceptualizing Digital Human Rights. – 2.1. Overview and Rationale. – 2.2. Defining Digital Human Rights. – 2.3. Core Categories of Digital Human Rights. – 2.3.1. Privacy Rights in Digital Contexts. – 2.3.2. Right to Internet Access. – 2.3.3. Data Protection Rights. – 2.3.4. Right to Anonymity. – 2.3.5. Right to Be Forgotten. – 3. Digital Rights and AI in the MENA Context. – 3.1. Regional Regulatory Frameworks and Emerging AI Strategies. – 3.2. The Role of Islamic Legal and Ethical Principles. – 4. The Intersection Between AI Governance and Digital Human Rights in International Legal Frameworks. – 4.1. The European AI Act: A Milestone in Human-Rights-Centered Regulation. – 4.2. Soft-Law Approaches: UNESCO and OECD Frameworks. – 4.3. European Case Law and Regulatory Guidance on Emotion AI. – 5. Digital Human Rights Within the Saudi Arabia’s Legal Framework: a Preliminary Assessment. – 5.1. Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). – 5.2. 2007 Anti-Cybercrime Law and Digital Rights Implications. – 6. Conclusions and Recommendations.
Background: This research analyses the global evolution of digital rights and AI governance and examines the implications for Saudi Arabia's legal framework. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, there is an urgent need to assess its impact on fundamental human rights, particularly given the absence of a global consensus on the definition and scope of "digital human rights." The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) Vision 2030 initiative presents a unique opportunity to develop AI governance frameworks that align with international standards while reflecting local cultural values and Islamic ethical principles.
Methods: This study employs a qualitative analytical approach to examine Saudi Arabia's current legal framework governing AI and digital human rights. The methodology involves a comprehensive statutory analysis of Saudi Arabian legislation, particularly the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) 's ethical guidelines, in comparison to international legal instruments, including UNESCO's AI Ethics Recommendation, the EU AI Act, and OECD guidelines. The research evaluates alignment with international standards and effectiveness in addressing emerging digital rights challenges in the AI era.
Results and conclusions: The research reveals that while Saudi Arabia has made notable progress through the PDPL and SDAIA frameworks, significant regulatory gaps persist. The PDPL exhibits limitations in addressing contemporary AI challenges, including algorithmic accountability, bias mitigation, and comprehensive data protection in AI contexts. The study identifies critical deficiencies, including overly broad exceptions to consent requirements, insufficient provisions for algorithmic transparency, and fragmented regulatory oversight. Recommendations include establishing specialised oversight bodies, developing ethical frameworks tailored to the Saudi context, and increasing the involvement of experts in decisions related to AI governance. This paper contributes by offering a comparative evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s digital rights framework against leading international instruments, highlighting reforms necessary for culturally grounded and globally aligned governance.