Riyadh: Cultural Development Fund (CDF) announced the launch of "AI Incentives for Cultural Projects" in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Quality of Life Program - one of Saudi Vision 2030's vision realization programs - and in collaboration with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The initiative marks the first track under "Nama' Incentives," which supports cultural projects in priority areas aligned with national objectives, strengthening their capacity for growth and innovation while maximizing their economic and social impact and long-term sustainability.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the track is designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) seeking to adopt or develop AI technologies within their projects across the cultural sector. Eligible projects can receive financial incentives of up to SAR500,000, enabling them to develop and adopt innovative AI-powered solutions.
The AI Incentives track focuses on supporting projects across key areas, such as creativity and production; heritage and asset preservation; content and knowledge development; cultural experiences and engagement; cultural project management and operations; and governance and intellectual property. Together, these areas are designed to accelerate the development of innovative AI-driven solutions across the cultural value chain while advancing the sector's digital transformation.
The "AI Incentives for Cultural Projects" coincide with the Year of AI and build on the trilateral agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), and the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA). The agreement aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies across the cultural sector, foster innovation, enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness, and advance the development of cultural products and services, strengthening the sector's readiness for the future.
CDF CEO Majed bin Abdulmohsen Al-Hugail said: "The launch of AI Incentives for Cultural Projects track reflects our strategic commitment to enabling the cultural sector to harness advanced technologies as a driver of innovation and growth. We believe that integrating artificial intelligence into cultural projects will unlock more valuable products, services, and experiences, while creating new opportunities for investment and entrepreneurship. In doing so, it will strengthen the sector's long-term sustainability and increase its contribution to the creative economy, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030."
CDF invites eligible organizations developing technology solutions, or creating AI-powered cultural products, services, or experiences, to review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines for the "AI Incentives for Cultural Projects" through the Cultural Development Fund's website cdf.gov.sa. Applications open today and will remain open until September 29, 2026.
Nama' Incentives reflects CDF's role as the Center of Excellence and financial enabler for the cultural sector, advancing its efforts to drive sustainable growth across the sector and maximize its contribution to the creative economy, in line with the objectives of the National Culture Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.