Saudi Arabia has been in the news for quite some time and for all good reasons. The country’s aggressive approach to its ambitious transformation, the Vision 2030, is no secret and Saudi could be seen making all the efforts to realize it.
As part of the plan, the government is seen actively fielding opportunities, specifically in the AI space. For instance, OliverWyman and the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) have collaborated to write the country’s growth story. In a recent event, officials were seen to share opinions on the potential of Generative AI and its impact on Saudi Arabia.
“Innovation Oasis”, a report co-authored by OliverWyman and SDAIA, recommends three focus areas Saudi Arabia needs to emphasize. These three pillars of generative AI are: foundational elements, technology and infrastructure, and the development of specific applications.
Here is what they actually mean.
Saudi Arabia’s AI journey began with the establishment of robust foundational elements. This involved crafting policies and regulations that ensure AI's ethical use and alignments at par with global best practices. In hindsight, a strong emphasis is still laid upon public awareness and education to cultivate a society, ready to embrace AI-driven changes.
Major developments in this space include:
Next, technology and infrastructure is the exact stage where the kingdom is right now. Saudi Arabia can be seen heavily investing in building its technological backbone which will eventually serve large-scale AI deployments.
On the other hand, the government can be seen pushing for the development of supercomputing abilities, such as in the Shaheen III supercomputer, acquisition of Nvidia GPUs at scale, and expansion of cloud storage capabilities to manage and process large data sets.
With the following robust ecosystem at our disposal, seamless integration of generative AI solutions across industries is no longer a distant dream.
In its third installment, Saudi Arabia can be seen developing sector-agnostic solutions for the world. The focus is on the use of AI applications that address unique challenges within key sectors such as health care, energy, and finance.
For instance, generative AI in healthcare finds its applications in optimizing for diagnostic, personalized treatments and streamlining administrative tasks. Similarly, AI applications built for the energy sector can improve efficiency, monitor renewable energy sources, and predict supply and demand patterns.
The economic impact of generative AI is profound. According to Oliver Wyman, AI can add 20% to Saudi Arabia’s gross economic output by 2030. This translates to an impressive $320 billion boost, with $24 billion directly attributed to generative AI.
Additionally, the integration of AI will eventually lead to enhanced productivity across all sectors and strengthen the country’s global standing as a leader in AI research and development.
By focusing on foundational frameworks, advanced infrastructure, and workforce empowerment, the Kingdom is paving the way for a future where AI drives growth, innovation, and sustainability. Through strategic investments and inclusive programs, the Kingdom exemplifies how generative AI can be harnessed to create lasting economic and societal impact.