Saudi Arabia Drives Regional AI Leadership, Showcases $500B Tech Shift

Saudi Arabia is shifting its economic focus from the ambitious Neom city project to investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, and high-tech manufacturing to diversify its oil-dependent economy, as detailed by Bloomberg. The country is also advancing AI integration in education, with universities hosting conferences that explore innovation, entrepreneurial sustainability, and AI-driven supply chains to foster creativity and economic impact. At the international level, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key player in the AI global race by leveraging its energy resources and capital, highlighted during the MED Dialogues 2025 where experts emphasized the importance of compute capacity for AI development. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s AI governance and digital sovereignty initiatives were showcased at the MED Dialogues forum, reflecting its commitment to international cooperation and alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Parallel regional developments include Qatar's focus on AI-driven precision medicine and healthcare technologies, demonstrating a broader Middle Eastern commitment to harnessing AI for societal benefits. These activities collectively underscore the region’s strategic pivot towards AI as a cornerstone for future economic and technological growth.