Saudi Arabian businesses are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation and efficiency, with 81% of enterprises in the Kingdom already deploying AI solutions tailored to their industries. According to a YouGov survey commissioned by SAP, presented at the SAP NOW AI Tour Riyadh event, this trend is part of a broader strategy to position technology as a core pillar of Vision 2030.
The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss AI’s role in advancing the Kingdom’s economic transformation. The survey also revealed that 96% of companies plan to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement programs over the next 12 months, underscoring the importance of building robust data foundations for AI adoption.
AI Adoption and Investment
Saudi enterprises are prioritizing customer experience and growth when implementing AI, with 52% of respondents citing improved customer satisfaction as a key success measure. Additionally, 47% highlighted increased revenue and enhanced decision-making as important outcomes, while 48% focused on cost reduction. The survey indicates that more than half (51%) of respondents expect significant returns from AI investments within the next one to two years.
However, the successful integration of AI requires a strong foundation in data management. The SAP Business Data Cloud, developed in collaboration with Databricks, enables organizations to extract insights from both structured and unstructured data. This capability is crucial for driving AI adoption and achieving the desired business outcomes.
Driving Business Outcomes with AI
At SAP NOW AI Tour Riyadh, delegates explored the company’s latest AI innovations, including agentic AI, which enables autonomous decision-making and task execution. Customer stories at the event reinforced the survey findings, with a particular focus on human capital management. For instance, Red Sea Global is using AI to transform the employee experience through SAP’s AI-powered capabilities.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Almosafer, part of Seera Group, is leveraging advanced technologies and strong partnerships to drive continuous improvement across the traveler journey. According to Saaim Aslam, Senior Director, Enterprise Technology, Almosafer, collaborating with global technology partners like SAP supports their ambition to meet and exceed evolving customer expectations in an increasingly competitive market.
Meanwhile, the recent expansion of the Saudi Business Network, the world’s first regulated public sector deployment of SAP Business Network, enables enterprises to access global procurement capabilities while ensuring local compliance. This development is expected to further drive AI adoption and business innovation in the Kingdom.
As Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate its AI ambitions, the focus is on building trust, security, and impact. The SAP survey and customer stories suggest that the Kingdom is poised to become a leader in AI adoption, with significant potential for growth and innovation. The next steps in this journey will likely involve continued investment in data management and AI technologies, as well as efforts to address the challenges associated with AI adoption.
