Saudi Arabia is on the cusp of an artificial intelligence revolution. AI is at the core of the Kingdom’s massive economic transformation programs, including ambitious futuristic infrastructure projects. Organizations across both the public and private sectors are increasingly embracing AI, with International Data Corporation expecting adoption of the technology to grow massively over the coming years.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has been at the forefront of promoting AI adoption across the Kingdom and is contributing immensely toward fostering an environment for the development of a comprehensive AI ecosystem. With this critical goal in mind, the SDAIA organized the landmark second edition of the Global AI Summit in September this year. Hosted in Riyadh, the summit showcased Saudi Arabia’s promising plans to become an international hotbed for AI adoption and development.

With AI taking center stage in the rapidly evolving technological landscape of Saudi Arabia, IDC has undertaken a comprehensive study — titled ‘Artificial Intelligence: The DNA of Saudi Arabia’s Transformation’ — in strategic partnership with the SDAIA to capture the current state of AI in the country. Launched at today’s IDC Saudi Arabia Government Congress 2022, which hosted more than 100 of the Kingdom’s most influential IT and digital leaders, the study begins by examining latest global developments in the AI arena, with a focus on the following elements:

• The history of AI, its key components, the importance of data, and key use cases
• National AI initiatives undertaken by key global economies, global AI spending, and the significant benefits derived by economies, industries, and societies
• Global AI best practices, international regulatory legislation, and the policy environment for AI adoption and innovation

The report then presents an extensive exploration into the following aspects of Saudi Arabia’s evolving AI landscape:

• The role of AI in the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative
• The key trends shaping the Kingdom’s AI landscape, AI ecosystem development, AI skills development, and stakeholder engagements
• The impact of AI in Saudi Arabia and commentary on essential use cases
• The role of legislation, regulations, policies, and initiatives in shaping AI development across the country
• The barriers and challenges to AI adoption in the Kingdom
• The future outlook for AI in Saudi Arabia

“AI is humanity’s next giant leap, and Saudi Arabia has done well to appreciated its importance early on,” says Hamza Naqshbandi, IDC’s associate vice president for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. “The Saudi government has made significant advancements in digitally transforming itself by effectively utilizing innovative and emerging technologies to deliver upon key business priorities, including citizen experience, digital operations, sustainability, and security. As Saudi Arabia accelerates its drive to become a true digital economy, artificial intelligence capabilities will be embedded into every single digital transformation initiative that is undertaken.”

Commenting on the importance of AI to Saudi Arabia’s future, Majid Ali Al-Shehry, general manager of the SDAIA’s Studies Department, says: “Based on our belief that data is the oil of the future, we at the SDAIA, are working to unlock the potential value of data through a value chain that covers all aspects of operation, regulation, and innovation.”

Sourav Bhanja, IDC’s associate vice president for consulting in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, says, “Saudi Arabia’s national digital transformation goals would benefit greatly from a collaborative effort around AI across government entities, research organizations, local and global enterprises, and emerging start-ups. The key drivers for AI innovation and adoption in the Kingdom will be the need to improve operations through intelligent automation, enhance customer and citizen experiences, manage skills shortages, augment workforce capabilities, and create new digital business models.”