Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Commercial registrations in Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence sector have surged in recent years, highlighting the Kingdom’s accelerating investment in advanced technologies. The figures were published as part of the Saudi Ministry of Commerce’s Business Sector Bulletin for the first quarter of 2026.

According to the report, the number of commercial registrations in the AI sector reached 19,600 by the end of 2025, marking a 240% increase from 5,762 registrations recorded in 2021.

Data showed steady annual growth in the sector. AI-related registrations rose to around 7,200 in 2022, climbed to approximately 10,300 in 2023, and reached about 14,600 in 2024 before surpassing 19,000 in 2025.

The rapid expansion comes as Saudi Arabia intensifies its national focus on artificial intelligence. The Council of Ministers recently approved the designation of 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence,” a move aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s global position in advanced technologies and accelerating the adoption of AI-driven innovation across sectors.

Artificial intelligence is widely viewed as a major driver of economic transformation worldwide, helping countries enhance productivity, improve quality of life, and boost the efficiency of key sectors including healthcare, education, transportation, energy, and security.

Saudi Arabia has also stepped up its engagement with global AI initiatives. The Kingdom recently joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, becoming the first Arab country to participate in the international initiative focused on responsible AI development and governance.