AI to contribute $160bn to Saudi economy by 2030, says SRMG CEO

Jomana Al-Rashid, CEO of Saudi Research and Media Group.
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Updated 26 October 2023
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AI to contribute $160bn to Saudi economy by 2030, says SRMG CEO

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is set to contribute nearly $160 billion to Saudi Arabia by 2030, said the CEO of Saudi Research and Media Group.

Jomana Al-Rashid emphasized the importance of understanding the economics of AI and its potential impacts on financial systems. 

Industry leaders and experts have assembled at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh to discuss the profound influence of AI on the global economy and media organizations. 

Al-Rashid said: “A recent PwC report has highlighted that AI is meant to contribute almost 16 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030, 160 billion dollars of that to Saudi Arabia.”

The CEO continued: “As media organizations, we try to tackle what AI is. We try to tackle generative AI, how it can improve the workflow, how it can improve efficiency and increase creativity.” 

With speculations of whether it will replace human roles, Al-Rashid emphasized that AI brings excitement and apprehension. The CEO encouraged a different perspective, suggesting that AI can enhance creativity and increase efficiency, transforming rather than replacing jobs.

She also touched upon the fears within media organizations regarding AI, particularly issues surrounding misinformation, disinformation, deep fakes, and hallucinations. These concerns are paramount for news organizations entrusted with providing accurate and reliable information to the public.

President of NCsoft, Songyee Yoon, shed light on the gaming sector’s role as a pioneer in adopting and testing AI technologies. 

She referred to the industry as a “lens into the future” and noted that it has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, including AI, virtual reality, augmented reality, and cloud technology.

Yoon highlighted: “Before the technology matures to be transferred in other industry, gaming has been a safe ground to test the technology and when it matures safe enough, it goes to other industries.”


Saudi PIF-backed Humain awards AI data center project to MIS 

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Saudi PIF-backed Humain awards AI data center project to MIS 

RIYADH: Humain, an artificial intelligence company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has awarded Al Moammar Information Systems Co. a contract to design and build a data center dedicated to AI technologies. 

In a filing to Tadawul, MIS said the project’s value exceeds 155 percent of its total revenues for 2024. The company reported revenues of SR1.21 billion ($320 million) last year, implying a contract value of nearly SR1.88 billion. 

The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to position the Kingdom as a regional technology hub by the end of the decade. 

The contract is expected to be signed on Feb. 15, 2026, and does not involve any related parties, according to the statement. MIS will design and construct a private AI-focused data center for Humain. 

Earlier this month, Saudi Telecom Co. signed an agreement with Humain to launch a joint venture to develop and operate data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence in the Kingdom. 

According to a Tadawul filing, Humain will hold a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, while stc will own the remaining 49 percent. 

The data center will be developed through stc’s subsidiary Digital Data and Communications Centers, also known as center3. 

The facility will feature advanced infrastructure capable of supporting up to 1 gigawatt of power, starting with an initial capacity of 250 megawatts, subject to customer demand. 

Saudi Arabia has been ramping up its AI ambitions. Earlier this month, the Saudi Press Agency, citing the Global AI Index, said the Kingdom ranked fifth globally and first in the Arab region for growth in the AI sector. 

The report said the ranking reflects the Kingdom’s progress in artificial intelligence and the success of its economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. 

Separately, MIS said on Dec. 24 that it signed a SR114.43 million contract with the Saudi Central Bank to renew IT systems support licenses. The 36-month agreement covers license renewals and ongoing support, with the financial impact expected to be reflected in the company’s fourth-quarter results.