Saudi Arabia recorded a 31% increase in commercial registrations for artificial intelligence activities, reaching 24,552 in 2026, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The growth comes as the Kingdom expands investment in AI and digital transformation. The ministry said 192,000 commercial registrations had been issued nationwide since the start of 2026, as of September, covering computer programming, information and communications activities.
Other technology-related sectors also grew. Cybersecurity registrations rose 22% to 11,275, while electronic games registrations increased 24% to 977. Virtual and augmented reality registrations climbed 21% to 13,853.
Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, with the initiative focused on accelerating adoption and supporting a data-driven economy. The effort includes investments in AI infrastructure through Humain, a Public Investment Fund company established in May 2025.
In July, Humain partnered with Canada-based Cohere to develop large-scale AI infrastructure and enterprise and sovereign AI models, with deployment expected in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The Kingdom’s total commercial registrations now exceed 1.9 million, including 1.3 million establishments, 599,000 limited liability companies and 5,000 joint-stock companies.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
