Why does the Saudi government utilize artificial intelligence? The research questions whether the more the Saudi government utilizes artificial intelligence (AI), the more it endures authoritarianism or not. In fact, an analytical research design based on a neo-institutional approach is applied to the case study. The research examines the concept of isomorphism by addressing the motivations for AI utilization in Saudi Arabia, the outcomes of AI on Saudi Arabia’s authoritarian practices, Saudi citizens’ insights into AI applications in Saudi Arabia, the relationship between legitimacy and stability in the presence of AI in Saudi Arabia, and the impact of culture and cognitive bases on Saudi organizational behavior toward AI in Saudi Arabia. The research concludes the following: Saudi Arabia applies artificial intelligence to keep the political sphere unchangeable. In other words, the more the Saudi government utilizes artificial intelligence, the more it becomes a digital authoritarian tool.
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