How Seamless KSA 2024 is Shaping the Next Generation of Retail Tech Startups

Sep 15, 2025

Kholoud Hussein 

 

Seamless KSA 2024 is at the forefront of showcasing retail tech startups that are revolutionizing the industry through AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies. As Saudi Arabia rapidly embraces Vision 2030’s economic diversification and digital transformation goals, retail tech startups are playing a critical role in reshaping how businesses engage with consumers and manage their operations. These emerging startups drive innovation across the retail ecosystem, enhance customer experiences, optimize supply chains, and improve overall efficiency.

 

At Seamless KSA 2024, several Saudi retail tech startups are leading the charge with AI-powered solutions that personalize the shopping experience. Startups like Sary are utilizing AI algorithms to provide smart product recommendations and predictive analytics, allowing retailers to understand consumer preferences better and anticipate demand. These solutions enable businesses to optimize inventory management and improve sales by offering tailored recommendations, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction.

 

Additionally, IoT is becoming an integral part of the retail landscape, as showcased by startups like Tamara. By leveraging IoT technology, Tamara is transforming how retailers track inventory, monitor supply chains, and automate warehouse operations. Real-time data from IoT sensors helps businesses reduce waste, streamline logistics, and ensure products are always available, enhancing the operational efficiency of retail businesses in Saudi Arabia.

 

Moreover, blockchain technology is gaining traction among retail tech startups for its ability to enhance transparency and security in transactions. Platforms like Ajar are using blockchain to build trust in digital payments and ensure the authenticity of transactions. By integrating blockchain, startups are also improving supply chain transparency, enabling consumers to trace the journey of products from source to shelf.

 

Seamless KSA 2024 is not only highlighting these innovative technologies but also fostering an ecosystem that encourages collaboration between startups, investors, and established retailers. By supporting the next generation of retail tech startups, the event is helping to reshape the future of retail in Saudi Arabia, driving growth, and ensuring that businesses can thrive in an increasingly digital and connected world.

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Smart Kingdom: How AI Is Powering the Next Generation of Saudi Mega Projects

Kholoud Hussein 

 

Saudi Arabia’s mega projects were conceived as symbols of economic diversification. Today, they are becoming test beds for something even more transformative: artificial intelligence embedded at scale.

From predictive construction systems to AI-managed urban mobility, the Kingdom’s flagship developments are not merely large in size or investment value. They are increasingly designed as intelligent ecosystems. Backed by the policy framework of Saudi Vision 2030 and coordinated through institutions such as the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), AI is moving from experimental pilot to core infrastructure layer.

With mega projects collectively valued in the trillions of dollars, Saudi Arabia is positioning artificial intelligence not as a supporting tool, but as an operating system for next-generation cities, tourism hubs, logistics corridors, and industrial zones.

 

AI as a National Priority

Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions are not confined to individual developments. In 2020, the Kingdom launched the National Strategy for Data and AI, aiming to position the country among the top 15 global AI leaders by 2030. Officials have repeatedly emphasized that artificial intelligence is central to economic competitiveness.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has described technology and innovation as pillars of the Kingdom’s diversification strategy. Meanwhile, SDAIA President Abdullah Alghamdi has stated that data and AI are “key enablers of economic growth and digital transformation.”

According to official projections, AI could contribute an estimated $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030, representing roughly 12 percent of the national economy. These figures underscore why mega projects are being built with AI integration from inception rather than retrofitted later.

 

NEOM: Building an AI-Native City

Perhaps the most visible example is NEOM, the $500 billion smart city development in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Designed as a fully connected urban environment, NEOM integrates AI across energy management, transportation, water systems, and security infrastructure.

Within NEOM, THE LINE represents an ambitious experiment in AI-driven urban planning. The linear city will rely on predictive analytics to manage traffic flows, optimize energy consumption, and coordinate autonomous transport systems. Digital twins—virtual models of physical infrastructure—allow planners to simulate real-world conditions before construction is completed.

AI algorithms will monitor energy demand in real time, automatically adjusting renewable energy generation and storage systems. In practice, this reduces waste and improves grid resilience. In urban mobility, AI-enabled platforms are expected to manage autonomous vehicles and high-speed transit networks with minimal human intervention.

The result is an environment where infrastructure decisions are driven by continuous data analysis rather than static planning assumptions.

 

The Red Sea Project: AI in Sustainable Tourism

Sustainability is another arena where AI is reshaping Saudi mega developments. Red Sea Global, developer of the Red Sea Project, has embedded AI into environmental management systems.

The destination aims to operate on 100 percent renewable energy. AI-powered monitoring systems analyze weather patterns, guest flows, and energy consumption to optimize operations while minimizing ecological impact. Smart desalination plants use machine learning to improve efficiency and reduce carbon intensity.

By using predictive analytics, operators can anticipate peak visitor demand and adjust services accordingly, limiting overuse of sensitive natural environments. This model reflects a broader shift: AI is not only about efficiency but also about environmental stewardship.

 

Qiddiya and Predictive Operations

Entertainment and sports infrastructure are also being transformed. Qiddiya Investment Company is developing one of the Kingdom’s largest entertainment cities, integrating AI for crowd management, safety monitoring, and real-time operational analytics.

Advanced camera systems and computer vision technologies help detect congestion patterns and enhance security oversight. Predictive maintenance tools monitor ride systems and facilities to reduce downtime and prevent mechanical failures.

For mega venues hosting international events, AI-driven analytics enable dynamic pricing strategies, optimized staffing, and personalized visitor experiences.

 

AI in Construction and Project Management

Beyond the final user experience, AI is reshaping how mega projects are built.

Saudi Arabia’s construction sector faces the challenge of delivering projects at an unprecedented scale. AI-enabled project management platforms analyze supply chains, labor allocation, and procurement timelines to mitigate delays. Predictive analytics help identify bottlenecks before they escalate into costly overruns.

Drone-based imaging combined with machine learning allows real-time monitoring of construction progress. This data feeds into centralized dashboards, enabling developers to compare projected timelines with actual performance.

Given that Saudi giga-projects represent investments exceeding $1 trillion collectively, even marginal efficiency gains through AI can translate into billions of dollars in savings.

 

The Startup Ecosystem: Local Innovation at Scale

While global technology providers are active in the Kingdom, Saudi startups are increasingly contributing to the AI ecosystem, supporting mega projects.

Companies such as Mozn specialize in AI-driven analytics and risk management platforms. Originally focused on financial crime detection, firms like Mozn are expanding into broader data analytics solutions relevant to infrastructure and enterprise clients.

Another emerging player is Quant Data & Analytics, which develops AI tools for predictive analytics and data intelligence. Such companies are well-positioned to serve government agencies and mega-project operators requiring localized AI solutions.

Saudi Arabia’s venture capital ecosystem has grown significantly, with AI startups attracting increasing funding rounds. Government-backed funds and accelerators are prioritizing artificial intelligence as a strategic vertical.

As mega projects mature, demand for specialized AI applications—ranging from logistics optimization to energy modeling—creates a substantial addressable market for domestic startups.

 

Human Capital and Workforce Transformation

AI integration also has labor market implications. Mega projects are serving as training grounds for Saudi engineers, data scientists, and AI specialists.

Under Vision 2030, workforce localization initiatives aim to equip Saudi nationals with advanced digital skills. Universities and research centers are partnering with mega-project developers to create AI-focused training programs.

Officials have emphasized that AI adoption is not about workforce replacement but productivity enhancement. SDAIA leadership has noted that building local AI talent is essential for long-term sustainability.

 

Economic Impact and Investment Outlook

The economic implications are profound. With AI projected to contribute $135 billion to GDP by 2030, mega projects act as catalysts, accelerating this contribution.

Investment in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and data centers is expanding alongside physical construction. Saudi Arabia has announced multi-billion-dollar investments in cloud services partnerships to support AI workloads.

Moreover, foreign direct investment linked to technology partnerships continues to grow as global firms view Saudi mega projects as large-scale test environments for advanced AI applications.

Industry analysts estimate that AI-related spending in Saudi Arabia could grow at compound annual rates exceeding 25 percent through the end of the decade, driven largely by giga-project deployment.

 

Challenges and Governance Considerations

Despite momentum, challenges remain. Integrating AI across complex, multi-stakeholder projects requires strong governance frameworks. Data privacy, cybersecurity, and algorithmic accountability are critical concerns.

Saudi authorities have introduced regulatory standards governing data protection and AI ethics to ensure responsible deployment. This regulatory clarity may enhance investor confidence.

 

Finally, Saudi Arabia’s mega projects were initially defined by scale—record-breaking budgets, ambitious architecture, and expansive geography. Increasingly, however, they are defined by intelligence.

Artificial intelligence is embedded in planning models, operational systems, sustainability metrics, and security frameworks. It is shaping not only how projects are built but how they function long after completion.

If current trajectories continue, Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects may become global reference models for AI-integrated urban development. In doing so, they reinforce the Kingdom’s broader ambition: to transition from an economy built primarily on natural resources to one powered by data, technology, and intelligent systems.

 

What Is ‘Asset Turnover Ratio’ and Why It Matters for Startups

Ghada Ismail

 

Most startups don’t fail because they lack ideas. They fail because they misjudge how efficiently they turn what they own into revenue.

In the rush to grow, founders often focus on how fast money is coming in, while paying far less attention to how hard their assets are actually working. Office space sits half-used. Software tools pile up. Teams expand faster than output. On paper, the startup looks like it’s growing. In reality, its engine may be inefficient.

This is where the Asset Turnover Ratio quietly steps in. It doesn’t care about hype, valuation, or future promises. It asks one simple, uncomfortable question: How much revenue are you actually generating from the assets you already have? For startups operating on limited capital and tight runways, the answer can be revealing, and sometimes alarming.

 

What Is Asset Turnover Ratio?

The Asset Turnover Ratio measures how efficiently a business uses its assets to generate revenue. It shows how much revenue is produced for every unit of assets owned by the company.

The formula is simple:

Asset Turnover Ratio = Revenue ÷ Average Total Assets

If a startup generates SAR 2 million in revenue and holds SAR 1 million in total assets, its asset turnover ratio is 2. This means the company generates SAR 2 in revenue for every riyal invested in assets.

In general, a higher ratio indicates stronger operational efficiency, while a lower ratio suggests that assets may not be used to their full potential.

 

Why Asset Turnover Ratio Matters for Startups

Startups rarely have excess resources. Capital is limited, margins are thin, and every investment—whether in people, technology, or infrastructure—needs to prove its value quickly.

The asset turnover ratio helps founders understand whether their business model is genuinely efficient or simply growing heavier over time. It highlights whether assets are actively contributing to revenue or quietly becoming cost centers.

For investors, this metric offers insight into execution quality. A startup that generates strong revenue relative to its asset base signals discipline, thoughtful scaling, and smarter capital allocation, qualities that matter far more than growth alone.

 

Interpreting High and Low Asset Turnover Ratios

A high asset turnover ratio often reflects a lean, well-optimized business. Digital startups, SaaS platforms, and marketplace models typically perform well because they generate revenue without heavy physical infrastructure. High turnover suggests that the startup is maximizing output from minimal resources.

A low asset turnover ratio is not necessarily a red flag on its own. Asset-heavy startups in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, or hardware development often show lower ratios, especially in early stages. The real concern arises when assets continue to grow while revenue lags behind, signaling inefficiencies or premature expansion.

What matters most is what happens next. Improving turnover over time indicates that the startup is learning how to scale more efficiently.

 

How Startups Can Improve Asset Turnover

Improving asset turnover is not about cutting costs aggressively. It is about making smarter decisions with existing resources.

Startups can focus on increasing revenue before acquiring new assets, delaying major capital expenditures until demand is validated, and outsourcing non-core functions instead of owning everything in-house. Regularly reviewing underperforming assets—whether tools, systems, or physical resources—also helps prevent unnecessary drag on performance.

Ultimately, the goal is not to own fewer assets, but to ensure that every asset actively supports growth.

 

Putting Asset Turnover in Context

No single metric tells the full story. Asset turnover should be viewed alongside profitability, cash flow, and growth indicators. A startup can be efficient but unprofitable, or profitable but inefficient. The real insight comes from understanding how these metrics work together.

For founders, asset turnover serves as a reality check. It keeps ambition grounded in execution and encourages smarter scaling rather than reckless expansion.

 

Wrapping Things Up…

At its core, the asset turnover ratio is not just a financial metric, but rather a discipline check.

It forces founders to ask whether growth is being built on smart execution or on accumulating more resources than the business can justify. High turnover reflects a startup that knows how to extract value before spending more. Low turnover, if ignored, quietly erodes runway long before cash flow problems become obvious.

In a startup landscape where capital is no longer unlimited, the businesses that survive will not be the ones that own the most assets, but the ones that use what they own best.

Alpha and Beta Testing: How Smart Startups Launch Without Guessing

Kholoud Hussein 

 

In the startup world, building a product is only half the battle. The other half is making sure it works in the real world. That’s where alpha and beta testing come in.

For early-stage companies, these testing phases are not technical formalities. They are risk-management tools. They help founders validate assumptions, uncover weaknesses, and refine user experience before a full public launch. Done properly, alpha and beta tests can mean the difference between a controlled rollout and a costly failure.

What Is Alpha Testing?

Alpha testing is the first structured round of product testing. It usually happens after internal development is complete but before the product reaches external users.

At this stage, the product may be functional but not polished. Features might be incomplete. The interface may still need refinement. Bugs are expected.

Alpha testing is typically conducted internally by the startup’s team, along with a small, controlled group of trusted users. These may include employees, close partners, advisors, or early supporters. The goal is to identify major technical flaws and usability issues before exposing the product to a broader audience.

This phase focuses on stability and core functionality. Does the platform crash? Do essential features work as intended? Are there obvious friction points in navigation?

Because the testing environment is controlled, feedback tends to be direct and detailed. Developers can observe user behavior closely, fix bugs quickly, and release multiple iterations in a short period of time.

For startups, alpha testing is about protecting reputation. Launching publicly with obvious technical failures can damage trust early. Alpha testing minimizes that risk.

What Is Beta Testing?

If alpha testing is internal, beta testing is external.

Beta testing involves releasing the product to a limited group of real users outside the company. These users represent the target market more accurately. They are not part of the founding team, and they interact with the product in real-world conditions.

Unlike alpha testing, beta testing examines more than technical performance. It evaluates user experience, product-market fit, and perceived value.

Key questions during beta testing include:

  • Do users understand the product without explanation?
  • Are they willing to pay for it?
  • Which features do they actually use?
  • Where do they drop off?

Beta testing can be closed, meaning access is by invitation only, or open, where anyone can sign up. Early-stage startups often prefer closed beta programs to manage feedback and maintain control.

This phase generates critical data. It reveals whether assumptions about customer behavior were correct. It also surfaces issues that internal teams may overlook, especially around user expectations and workflows.

The Strategic Role of Testing in Startup Growth

For startups operating with limited capital and time, alpha and beta tests are not optional. They are part of a disciplined launch strategy.

Testing reduces uncertainty. Instead of betting everything on a full-scale launch, founders collect evidence first. They identify weak points before marketing budgets are deployed. They adjust pricing models before scaling sales teams.

In lean startup environments, alpha and beta testing align closely with the build-measure-learn cycle. Each testing round provides measurable insight that informs product decisions.

Importantly, testing is not just about fixing problems. It is also about discovering opportunity. Many successful startups refine their value proposition during beta testing. Users may gravitate toward a feature that was initially secondary. Pricing strategies may evolve. Target segments may shift.

This flexibility is critical in early growth stages.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Despite their importance, alpha and beta tests are often mismanaged.

One common mistake is rushing through testing to meet artificial launch deadlines. Compressed testing phases reduce feedback quality and increase post-launch risk.

Another mistake is ignoring negative feedback. Founders can become attached to product assumptions. Testing only works if feedback drives change.

A third issue is testing with the wrong audience. If beta users do not reflect the intended customer base, insights may be misleading.

From Testing to Launch

Alpha and beta testing are bridges between development and commercialization. They transform a product from a concept into a market-ready solution.

For investors, thorough testing signals discipline. For customers, it improves reliability. For founders, it provides clarity.

In competitive markets, speed matters. But controlled speed matters more. Startups that treat alpha and beta testing as strategic milestones, rather than procedural checkboxes, increase their odds of building products that not only launch successfully, but scale sustainably.

In the end, alpha and beta tests are about learning before scaling. And for startups, learning early is one of the few true competitive advantages.

 

From policies to platforms: How embedded protection reshapes Saudi insurance market

Noha Gad

 

The insurance market in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly, becoming the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Propelled by the ambitious Vision 2030, the insurance industry is moving from a traditional, compliance-driven market to a dynamic, technology-enabled ecosystem that is ready for global competition.

During the first half (H1) of 2025, the Saudi insurance sector maintained solid momentum with insurance revenue rising 8.1% to SAR 34.7 billion, assets growing 4.5% to SAR 91.96 billion, and equity expanding 4% to SAR 28.4 billion, as stated in a recent report released by Milliman, the global consulting firm based in Seattle.

Another study conducted by Global Data, the UK-based consultancy firm, anticipated the Saudi insurance industry to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% until 2028, reaching SAR 83.7 billion. This rise, the study said, will be fueled by the Kingdom’s shift towards other sectors to reduce dependence on an oil-based economy, along with other factors, including a young, tech-savvy population, trillion-dollar infrastructure and giga-project investments, and a series of forward-thinking regulatory reforms.

Digital transformation serves as the primary catalyst. The adoption of emerging technologies demonstrates the market’s readiness for scaled digital operations. Insurers are leveraging AI-driven underwriting, exploring blockchain for claims processing, and adapting to a landscape in which consumers demand personalized and seamlessly accessible products.

Embedded insurance represents a fundamental shift in how insurance is distributed and consumed. In essence, it is the seamless integration of insurance coverage into the purchase process of another product or service. Instead of a customer having to search for a separate policy from an agent or a dedicated website, protection is offered, or even included, at the exact moment of need, within a digital ecosystem they are already using and trust. This model leverages technology, primarily application programming interfaces (APIs), to connect insurers with non-traditional partners like retailers, telecoms, fintech platforms, and mobility providers. 

It offers a win-win proposition for all parties: customers gain convenient and relevant protection without additional effort; partner companies create new revenue streams and deepen customer loyalty; and insurers access new customer segments and lower their acquisition costs. 

As the Kingdom moves steadily towards Vision 2030 goals, this model of intelligent, integrated, and invisible protection is poised to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing the insurance industry in Saudi Arabia and transforming the sector from a passive financial safety net into an active, embedded part of everyday life.

 

Traditional and embedded insurance 

For traditional insurance models, insurers invest heavily in marketing and sales channels to push their products toward consumers, while customers must expend effort to find, compare, and purchase a policy. However, embedded insurance is seamlessly integrated into the customer journey of purchasing another product or service.

Finding good insurance means filling out long forms, getting medical checks, and waiting a long time. Embedded insurance transforms this by embedding protection into everyday digital flows, creating a frictionless, app-native experience without requiring a separate trip to an insurance site.

Embedded insurance uses partnerships to gain access to up-to-date data. This lets it offer exact, custom coverage that old-school insurance cannot match. 

 

Impacts of emerging technologies on insurance services in Saudi Arabia

The application of emerging technologies has significantly changed how insurance firms work in terms of speed and adequacy of benefit delivery. Key innovations driving this change are:

  • Machine learning (ML). Thanks to their ability to handle massive data, ML innovations can offer quick risk assessment, improved client back, and lower operational costs.
  • Big Data. Insurers utilize Big Data to progress decision-making, offer tailored insurance products, and enhance client experiences.
  • Blockchain technology. It significantly enhances transparency, reduces fraud, and streamlines processes.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) technologies provide real-time data for exact risk evaluation and proactive loss prevention.

Additionally, AI plays a strategic role in reducing uncertainty, improving risk measurement, and enhancing capital deployment. When applied correctly, AI can drive more granular underwriting segmentation, provide real-time portfolio and accumulation monitoring, and enhance smarter reinsurance and capital optimization.

Yasmina AI is the first AI-powered embedded insurance platform in Saudi Arabia, helping insurers eliminate the friction of offering protection. Trusted by over 67 online businesses and insurance companies, Yasmina AI helps clients deliver seamless coverage at the perfect moment to protect their customers.

The platform transforms how insurance is delivered across digital platforms by offering seamless API integration that enables digital businesses to provide personalized insurance at checkout in less than 48 hours.

Embedded insurance shows the visible change in how and where customers get protection, while AI-driven Insurance-as-a-Service(IaaS) is the invisible engine powering it all. Through this platform-based model, insurers can offer their capabilities via APIs to non-insurance brands. This transforms the insurer from a final destination into a behind-the-scenes enabler. IaaS platforms allow insurers to offer coverage to partners on a flexible, pay-per-use or subscription basis, making it ideal for the short-term, activity-specific coverage often demanded in embedded contexts.

In Saudi Arabia, this model is gaining traction, with major players and innovative partnerships demonstrating its real-world application. Rommana is the first IaaS platform in Saudi Arabia to offer comprehensive solutions that equip businesses with all the essential tools they need to effortlessly sell, manage, and renew insurance policies. Rommana’s AI-powered solutions help insurers transform insurance operations by automating claims, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency. Equipped with a comprehensive full-stack infrastructure, Rommana’s API ensures seamless connections, making the process both cost-effective and durable.

The integration of AI into the Saudi insurance sector is driving a profound dual transformation, making protection more personal, accessible, and proactive, and revolutionizing insurance’s technical core. These two outcomes are two sides of the same coin. Better risk assessment, powered by richer data and more sophisticated analytics, enables the personalization and fairness that customers increasingly demand. By analyzing vast databases, from shopping habits and lifestyle choices to driving behavior and health metrics, AI enables insurers to create highly personalized products that fit an individual's actual risk profile and needs.

In conclusion, the insurance sector in Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a defining force in the global financial landscape, moving decisively beyond the era of friction-laden paperwork and distant, transactional relationships. At the heart of this transformation is the convergence of two powerful forces: embedded insurance and IaaS. Embedded insurance revolutionized the customer journey, pulling protection out of siloed distribution channels and shifting it directly into the digital pathways of daily life transactions, from e-commerce checkouts to mobility applications and fintech platforms. Additionally, IaaS platforms provide the invisible infrastructure that makes this seamless integration possible, while empowering insurers to offer their core capabilities as modular, on-demand services.

The ultimate beneficiary of this technological revolution is the customer. By harnessing richer data and more sophisticated analytics, Saudi insurers can move beyond one-size-fits-all products to create coverage that is dynamically aligned with individual risk profiles and lifestyles.

Leading Digital Change in Egypt: Capgemini’s Approach to AI and Talent Development

Ghada Ismail

 

As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment, Egyptian organizations are entering a decisive phase of digital transformation. In this interview, Hossam Seifeldin, Executive Vice President and CEO of Capgemini in Egypt, shares his perspective on how generative and agentic AI are set to reshape operations, competitiveness, and talent development over the next five years.

Drawing on Capgemini’s expanding footprint in Egypt and its role as a global delivery hub, Seifeldin discusses the technologies poised to have the greatest impact, how consulting and technology firms must adapt their business models in an AI-driven economy, and what truly differentiates Capgemini’s approach to digital transformation. He also highlights the company’s growing focus on youth empowerment, skills development, and public-private partnerships as Egypt positions itself as a regional hub for advanced technology and innovation.

 

Generative and agentic AI are reshaping enterprise operations globally. How do you expect these technologies to transform Egyptian organizations over the next five years?

We are entering a new phase where AI is no longer experimental; it is a practical, scalable driver of real business value. Over the next five years, generative and agentic AI will reshape how Egyptian organizations operate, make decisions, and engage with customers.

Globally, companies moving from pilots to full-scale AI deployments are seeing measurable returns, with average ROI of 1.7x and cost reductions of 26–31% across functions like finance, supply chain, HR, and customer operations. AI is now a strategic business asset delivering efficiency and growth simultaneously.

Sectors such as banking, telecom, healthcare, retail, and especially hospitality and tourism — a cornerstone of Egypt’s economy — will benefit significantly. In tourism, AI can enable personalized visitor journeys, immersive experiences, predictive destination management, and sustainable resource planning. Initiatives like our “Hack the Future of Tourism in Egypt… Make it Real!” engage students to create practical AI solutions, from virtual tour guides to smart travel platforms.

Ultimately, AI will help Egyptian organizations compete globally, unlock new services and revenue streams, and foster a culture of continuous innovation, positioning Egypt as a growing hub for AI-driven transformation.

 

How is Capgemini evolving its business model to remain competitive amid accelerated AI adoption across industries?

Capgemini is evolving through a multi-dimensional strategy designed to lead in an AI-driven economy. We are investing heavily in advanced AI, cloud, and data capabilities while strengthening partnerships with global technology leaders and local institutions.

In Egypt specifically, we are establishing a dedicated AI Center of Excellence that brings together elite solution architects, data scientists, and engineers to deliver end-to-end AI solutions to global clients. This reinforces Egypt’s role as a global delivery hub for innovation and advanced technology services.

We are equally focused on talent. Since launching operations in Egypt in 2022, our team has grown from 40 to more than 1,000 professionals, with plans to reach 1,700 by the end of 2026. Through continuous reskilling and programs such as our Young Professionals Program, we are ensuring our workforce can design and implement responsible, scalable AI solutions that deliver measurable value for clients worldwide.

 

What emerging technologies do you see as most transformative for your clients over the coming period of time? How is Capgemini preparing for these shifts?

While generative and agentic AI remain at the forefront, several complementary technologies will be highly transformative for our clients, including advanced analytics, immersive technologies such as AR and VR, edge computing, blockchain, and in the longer term, quantum computing.

Capgemini is preparing by investing in innovation labs, strengthening collaboration with universities and startups, and expanding research and development capabilities. With our proven methodologies and deep industry knowledge, we partner with leaders to turn AI into a competitive advantage and a driver of sustainable growth.

 

In your view, what differentiates Capgemini’s approach to digital transformation from other major consulting and technology services firms?

What truly differentiates Capgemini’s approach to digital transformation is that we see technology not as an end goal, but as a human-centric enabler of sustainable business and societal impact.

We deliver end-to-end transformation — from strategy and design to implementation and scaling — ensuring measurable outcomes and long-term value for our clients. What makes our Egypt operations particularly distinctive is our role as a global delivery gateway: from here, we provide 24/7 services in multiple languages and support clients across diverse sectors, including telecom, retail, pharmaceutical and hospitality.

By combining global expertise with strong local talent and ecosystem partnerships, Egypt has become a strategic hub for Capgemini, enabling us to deliver high-value digital and AI solutions worldwide while developing future-ready capabilities locally.

 

How has the increasing adoption of AI by competitors influenced your strategic priorities?

The rapid adoption of AI across industries has reinforced the importance of speed, innovation, and differentiation. It has accelerated our investments in AI capabilities, talent development, and industry-specific solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.

Rather than viewing competition solely as a challenge, we see it as a catalyst for continuous innovation. It pushes us to refine our offerings, deepen our partnerships, and ensure that our clients are not only adopting AI but leveraging it strategically to lead in their sectors.

Our priority remains clear: to deliver practical, scalable AI solutions that create business value while positioning Egypt as a global hub for digital innovation and advanced technology services.

 

How do you think you can empower youth and young entrepreneurs through your business tech offerings?

Through initiatives like the “Hack the Future of Tourism in Egypt… Make it Real!” hackathon, we are connecting innovation with practical training. Multidisciplinary student teams are developing AI-driven solutions such as virtual tour guides, smart travel platforms, immersive storytelling experiences, and predictive analytics tools that enhance visitor experiences while preserving cultural heritage and sustainability.

The top three teams will join our six-month Young Professionals Program, where they will receive intensive hands-on training, mentorship from global and local experts, and direct exposure to real client projects, with a clear pathway to employment upon completion.

Beyond individual programs, our broader commitment is to build a generation of tech-enabled innovators who can lead Egypt’s digital transformation. By investing in skills, mentorship, and real-world experience, we help young talent move from creative ideas to meaningful careers that support Egypt’s Vision 2030 and its ambition to become a global digital and innovation hub.

This commitment is strengthened through robust public-private partnerships. Most recently, we signed memorandums of understanding with ITIDA and ITI to expand our presence and train 300 young engineers through the ServiceNow program, supporting a national initiative expected to create 70,000 new jobs and further position Egypt as a global hub for technology and outsourcing services.

Through collaborations with government entities, academic institutions, and global technology partners, we are not only creating career pathways for young talent but also strengthening Egypt’s role as a strategic gateway for high-value digital and AI services worldwide.