Saudi Arabia's AI Adoption Hurdles Remain Despite CEO Buy-In
Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is the biggest challenge facing Saudi Arabia's tech industry today, according to Ayman Al-Rashed, regional vice president of IBM Saudi Arabia. Speaking at LEAP 2026, a major technology conference in Riyadh, Al-Rashed noted that while over 80% of CEOs have introduced AI into their workflows, only 24% of employees are using it effectively.
'The opportunity is the actual challenge: how do you increase adoption?' Al-Rashed explained. He attributed the low adoption rate to a lack of education and understanding about how AI works, as well as concerns around governance and data security.
Responsible AI is becoming increasingly important as businesses deploy more powerful AI systems. To address these challenges, IBM has been working with government agencies and the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) to promote responsible AI practices, including the adoption of seven principles for responsible usage.