Artificial intelligence usage in Saudi Arabia more than doubled in 2025, reaching 45.2% of internet users by the end of the year, according to data from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
The figure rose from 21.5% in 2024, highlighting the rapid shift of AI tools from early adopters to a much broader audience. The findings were included in the Saudi Internet 2025 report.
Women reported higher usage than men, at 52.8% compared with 39.4%. Users aged 20 to 29 recorded the highest adoption rate at 55.7%, while Tabuk led the regions at 58.5%.
AI is being used mainly to search for information, with more than 80% of users turning to the technology for that purpose. Idea generation, education, image and video creation, and translation followed. Workplace and programming applications remained less common.
ChatGPT was the most downloaded AI application in the country, followed by Gemini. Saudi platform Humain also ranked among the ten most downloaded tools.
The report comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to mark 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence. The country has attracted more than $20B in AI and data-related investment, while plans include a $10B technology fund and data centers exceeding 1.9 gigawatts by 2030, according to the announcement.
The commission said internet penetration reached 99.6%, creating a strong digital base. The next challenge will be turning widespread AI consumption into local technology development and production.
Source: Jawlah
