Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have made substantial investments in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in recent years to become global hubs for technology, thanks to AI’s transformative role in bolstering businesses.

A recent whitepaper published by Amazon Web Services (AWS), in collaboration with International Data Corporation (IDC), stated that 88% of organizations in Saudi Arabia and UAE that adopted AI early reported improved performance while only 28% of organizations have already started experimenting with AI.

The whitepaper, which surveyed 166 organizations, revealed that early AI adoption is already transforming private and public-sector organizations in Saudi Arabia, however, there is a risk of creating a digital divide between those who embrace the technology and those who fall behind. 

It found that 66% of Saudi organizations expressed concerns about unclear privacy and security regulations, underscoring the need for a balanced regulatory approach that fosters both growth and responsible AI development.

Around 51% of Saudi organizations cited a lack of digital skills and expertise as a barrier to AI adoption. However, 69% of Saudi organizations are planning to invest in data literacy and AI skills enablement in the next 12-18 months.

Yasser Hassan, Managing Director for MENAT at AWS, said: “Early adoption is key, with AI-invested Saudi organizations already experiencing improved business performance. AWS is committed to supporting this journey by empowering organizations to embrace AI responsibly and securely, providing the needed infrastructure and expertise to navigate the AI landscape confidently and drive growth."

Moreover, the whitepaper focused on key industries including government, finance, hospitality, and retail.