Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi organizations are among the most optimistic globally about the financial impact of artificial intelligence, with 76% expecting AI investments to generate returns within the next year, according to a new study by KPMG.

The report, KPMG Saudi Arabia tech report 2026 Scale, confidence and acceleration, surveyed 2,500 technology leaders worldwide, including 70 from Saudi Arabia. It found that the Kingdom recorded the highest level of confidence among participating countries regarding expected returns from AI adoption.

The study also highlighted the scale of technology spending in the Kingdom, with around 40% of Saudi organizations investing between $100 million and $250 million annually in digital initiatives. KPMG noted that many institutions have already translated these investments into measurable financial gains, outperforming global peers.

AI adoption is also accelerating across Saudi enterprises, with 46% of organizations using AI daily in their operations, more than double the global average of 21%. Most respondents reported positive returns from digital technologies, while none recorded negative outcomes.

The report found that 69% of Saudi organizations consider themselves advanced in cybersecurity, while 93% rely on centralized decision-making for technology adoption and 99% use formal evaluation frameworks before implementing new technologies.

KPMG said the findings reflect Saudi Arabia’s growing digital maturity, supported by strong governance practices, rising technology investments, and national initiatives aimed at expanding AI adoption across the economy.