Senior US, Saudi officials discuss AI and wars in the Middle East

A top US diplomat met with senior Saudi officials in Washington on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence and ways to reduce tensions in the Middle East, the State Department said.

“Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met today with Saudi Arabia’s National Security Advisor Musaid al-Aiban and Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha,” State Department Spokesman Matt Miller said.

The officials spoke about expanding US-Saudi cooperation in AI as well as other areas of science and technology.

“Deputy Secretary Campbell affirmed the United States’ commitment to partnering with Saudi Arabia to build advanced tech ecosystems and unlock the potential of safe, secure, and trustworthy and responsible AI,” Miller said.

Miller added that efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and work toward “lasting peace and security in the region” were also discussed.

Wednesday’s meeting coincided with the culmination of the Pentagon’s “Responsible AI in Defense Forum,” which is meant to provide a space for talks on challenges and capabilities and a chance to review Responsible AI in the context of international military cooperation.