A new survey has revealed that Saudi Arabia’s business landscape is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence, with an overwhelming 81% of enterprises in the Kingdom already using AI solutions specifically tailored to their industries. The findings, commissioned by SAP and conducted by YouGov, were announced at the SAP NOW AI Tour in Riyadh, highlighting the nation’s accelerated push towards achieving its Vision 2030 objectives.
The survey also underscored a critical parallel trend: 96% of companies plan to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement programs over the next year, recognizing that a robust data foundation is essential for effective AI implementation.
Beyond Experimentation To Measurable Outcomes
Saudi businesses are moving past the experimental phase of AI and are now focusing on scalable, impactful results. The survey identified customer experience and growth as the primary drivers for AI adoption, with 52% of respondents citing improved customer satisfaction as the most important measure of success. This was followed by increased revenue (47%), enhanced decision-making (47%), and cost reduction (48%).
“Our customers are not only adopting AI but integrating it deeply across mission-critical functions, from manufacturing to financial management, to drive efficiency and innovation,” said Dr. Fahd Nawwab, Vice President, SAP Saudi Arabia. “This reflects the Kingdom’s clear strategy to position technology as a core pillar of Vision 2030 and a catalyst for long-term competitiveness.”
Confidence in the technology’s immediate impact is high, with over half (51%) of the surveyed enterprises expecting to see significant returns on their AI investments within the next one to two years.
National Priorities and Global Collaboration
The event in Riyadh also emphasized the strategic alignment between enterprise AI adoption and national goals. The recent expansion of the Saudi Business Network, the world’s first regulated public sector deployment of SAP Business Network, enables local enterprises to access global procurement capabilities while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Mohammed Alromaizan, Vice President, SAP Saudi Arabia, commented, “Today’s discussions reflect how Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions are grounded in clear national priorities for trust, security, and impact. At SAP, our approach to Business AI is guided by reliability, relevance, and responsibility, ensuring technology serves both enterprise needs and national objectives.”
Local Champions Driving Innovation
The survey’s findings were reinforced by success stories from leading Saudi companies. Saaim Aslam, Senior Director of Enterprise Technology at Almosafer, part of Seera Group, noted the critical role of technology in the Kingdom’s booming travel and tourism sector. “Collaborating with global technology partners like SAP supports our ambition to meet and exceed evolving customer expectations in an increasingly competitive market,” he stated.
At Red Sea Global, AI is already making a tangible difference in human capital management. “Joule has redefined how our teams interact with HR processes,” said Sultan Moraished, Group Head of Technology & Corporate Excellence. “From simplifying talent management to delivering intuitive support through natural conversations, SAP’s AI-powered capabilities help us attract, retain, and empower talent, which is an essential factor in supporting our long-term sustainability goals.”
About SAP
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Source: SAP News Center
