Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the job market worldwide, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. In accordance with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is on a path to utilising this technology to its greatest advantage. A few mega projects that have been introduced include SDAIA and HUMAIN.
KSA proves to be a great space for investors looking for growth in this field. The market caters to the tech community by being a prime hub for start-ups, data centers, and cloud infrastructure. AI is being aggressively applied to various sectors across Saudi Arabia, including finance, healthcare, education, retail, entertainment, and productivity. According to a 2023 report by the Saudi Ministry of Investment, the AI and data analytics sector is projected to contribute more than $135 billion to the national economy by 2030, representing approximately 12.4 percent of the country’s GDP. Various companies have updated their online systems to include AI bots that greatly enhance customer service.
How is AI helpful to businesses?
It helps streamline operations, improves work efficiency, is cost-effective, and grants employees and companies additional time to focus on other innovative solutions. AI also helps reduce errors and discrepancies, hence saving time and money. AI models require trainers, and this is where manpower comes into play. Training AI with adequate feedback, precision, and subject knowledge will enable it to function on par with the smartest humans.
Saudi Arabia is leading the development of large Arabic language models through HUMAIN. HUMAIN will be offering several AI services, focusing on the localization of AI technologies in Saudi Arabia. HUMAIN has partnered with tech giants – NVIDIA, AWS, and Qualcomm.
A few areas where AI is currently being used:
Digital Government Services
Tawakkalna is a digital application developed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). It was initially used during the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor curfew permits and vaccinations. The application currently stores details of travel, ID permits, pilgrimage permits, dependents, and other relevant information. It’s a digital passport for everyday use.
Nusuk AI is part of Nusuk, a digital app exclusively for pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah. The AI tool is part of the services that the government of Saudi Arabia provides to ease visitors’ access to the sacred cities. Services include ticket booking, offline maps, Hajj and Umrah permits, and hotel reservations. The AI tool provides multilingual support in various languages.
Cybersecurity
AI in cybersecurity, powered by the SDAIA and NCA (National Cybersecurity Agency), is responsible for securing users, such as those in banking, against phishing attempts and malware. The AI cybersecurity programs act as the first line of defence and give analysts the opportunity to focus on dire issues. Saudi Arabia is working towards digital resilience by establishing institutions such as the Cisco-enabled AI Institute at KAUST.
Ed-Tech
The education system is a focal part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This year, AI has been introduced as a part of the K-12 Curriculum. Additionally, the SDAIA launched ‘One Million Saudis in AI’, an initiative that educates students in AI using self-study plans. AI scholarships are also being offered to university students. These students are Saudi Arabia’s greatest investment in a bright and technologically advanced future.
Retail and Marketing
Some of the largest e-commerce players in Saudi Arabia have integrated AI across their digital applications, including chatbots, personalized recommendations, and Gen AI content creation, among others. Customers visiting these sites find it easier to interact with their favorite shops and chosen services due to this integration. For instance, Noon, Amazon, Tamimi Markets, Jarir Bookstore, and various cleaning applications.
Saudi Arabia continues to embrace artificial intelligence, standing at the forefront of a technological renaissance in the Middle East. With a clear national vision, intense government support, and partnerships with global tech leaders, the Kingdom is sculpting a creative space where innovation thrives. The journey has only just begun, and the next decade promises to redefine what’s possible through the power of intelligent technology.
Companies that help with AI services in Saudi Arabia:
- Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) – sdaia.gov.sa/en/default.aspx
- HUMAIN – humain.com
- MOZN – mozn.sa
- Elevatus – elevatus.io/
- Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) – scai.sa/
- Lucidya – lucidya.com/en
- Solutions by STC – solutions.com.sa/
- Hazen – hazen.ai
- Intelmatix – intelmatix.ai/
- 1Fathom – fathom.ai
