The computer Research Institute (CRI) aims to be one of the leading institutes serving the Kingdom and its science and technology developmental plans in information services. The institute conducts research leading to high quality and advanced technologies and innovative solutions. The institute also offers consultation services, and organizes expert scientific symposia and conferences, in addition to its cooperation with international R&D centers. The institute also contributes to the training and development of Saudi HR through its postgraduate education scholarship grants to world Ivy League schools.

The computer Research Institute (CRI)  consists of four science labs: the acoustics and linguistics lab, the scientific computing lab, the computer networks and systems lab, and the software engineering and innovated systems lab. Each of these labs covers a specific area of the R&D IT priorities outlined by the national plan developed by CRI.

Information Technology (IT) has been crucial to the Kingdom's development, as it has been one of the key drivers of productivity and economic growth in many world countries. In 2008, CRI joined efforts with relevant authorities to develop a comprehensive national plan identifying the key R&D IT priorities in the Kingdom. The plan was based on input from IT users and stakeholders in the Kingdom including government authorities, the private sector and universities. The plan also outlined the IT R&D vision, mission, goals and priorities in the kingdom as follows:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be recognized as an innovator in IT, with innovative companies and universities that conduct leading edge research and produce world class graduates; a national laboratory system that serves government, universities and industry; and effective linkages between all elements of the system.  The Kingdom will be a regional leader across a broad range of IT areas and will be a world leader in areas of special importance to the Kingdom.

To enhance the Kingdom's scientific and technological level in information technology and the application of information technology to the Kingdom's economic and social needs through a coordinated program of research, development, localization, and transfer of technology.

 >>  To support an expanding and innovative KSA IT industry.
 >> To advance IT capabilities to meet critical needs in the Kingdom, in areas such as computer networking, and security.
 >> To develop innovative high quality IT applications to meet specialized needs in the Kingdom, such as the oil and gas industry, and Islamic applications. 
 >> To adapt and localize IT applications for e-services and e-business.
 >> To contribute to the global open source software movement.
 >> To develop world class capabilities in language technologies especially tailored to serve the Arabic Language. 
 >> To improve scientific and supercomputing to expand the Kingdom's capabilities in science and engineering through modeling, simulation, and visualization.

The plan identified the following technology areas for IT R&D:
 >>  Speech and Language (speech recognition technologies, search engines etc..).
 >> High Performance Computing (simulation and modeling).
 >> Computer Systems and Networks (information security and operation systems).
 >> Software Engineering and Innovated Systems (localization of open source software and applications).