AI and the future of consulting in Saudi Arabia

Artificial intelligence is reshaping consulting in Saudi Arabia at a moment when the Kingdom’s digital ambitions have never been higher. 

Under Vision 2030, AI is becoming a national capability — one expected to contribute 12.4 percent of gross domestic product by 2030, equivalent to nearly $135 billion. 

In an environment where government agencies and private companies are accelerating transformation plans, AI is emerging not as a threat to consultants, but as a practical partner that strengthens the quality and speed of their work. 

Consulting has traditionally relied on manual analysis, lengthy workshops, and extensive documentation. Much of the work was time-intensive, requiring teams to consolidate data, interpret findings, and translate them into actionable recommendations. 

Today, AI is changing this workflow. Machine learning tools clean and process datasets in minutes, generative models support early drafts of reports, and predictive systems offer evidence-based insights that sharpen decision-making. 

This shift aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader national direction. Programs such as Qiyas, NORA 2.0, and the Digital Government Observatory have already demonstrated how AI can raise the efficiency and accuracy of digital maturity assessments across ministries. These tools reduce what once required months of manual preparation to a matter of days. Consultants, in turn, can focus on interpretation, strategy, and alignment with Vision 2030 priorities — the elements that require human judgment and contextual understanding. 

A clear example comes from the Qiyas program, the Kingdom’s benchmark for digital maturity. In the past, evaluating a government entity demanded extensive workshops and large volumes of manual data entry. With AI-enabled platforms, operational data is processed quickly, dashboards are generated automatically, and consultants spend more time advising leaders on how to implement changes rather than collecting inputs. The result is stronger compliance, clearer insights, and transformation strategies that build sustainable national capability.  

The future of consulting in the Kingdom will not be human versus machine. It will be a combination of both — a model where AI accelerates delivery and consultants deepen impact.

Sarah Abdullah Bawazir 

A second example emerges from a major Saudi government real estate development company that sought to redesign its organizational model. AI-supported consulting enabled teams to analyze service data, map internal dependencies, and simulate how proposed changes would affect operations. 

This allowed decision-makers to test scenarios before implementing reforms. The project helped the organization become more agile and data-driven, contributing to improved governance and raising standards across the wider housing and urban development sector.  

As AI becomes more integrated into consulting, its role is not to replace expertise but to elevate it. Consultants still provide context, strategic guidance, and the human insight that technology cannot replicate. AI strengthens this work by handling repetitive tasks, improving accuracy, and opening room for deeper analysis. 

For practitioners, the path forward is clear. Starting small — adopting a single tool or automating one task — can lead to meaningful improvements. Using AI for drafting, summarizing, and data processing frees consultants to engage more closely with clients. Experimentation is also essential. Testing new models, workflows, and tools enables teams to refine approaches and identify where AI adds the most value. 

Yet the human element remains central. Consultants provide interpretation, empathy, and the ability to navigate sensitive conversations — qualities that define trusted advisory work. AI can generate insights, but it cannot replace the experience required to assess organizational readiness, guide change, or understand cultural context. 

Saudi Arabia’s rapid digital transformation makes this partnership between humans and technology especially important. As organizations modernize at unprecedented speed, the demand for accurate data, agile governance, and strategic clarity will only grow. AI helps meet these needs, while consultants ensure that transformation remains aligned with national objectives and grounded in practical execution. 

The future of consulting in the Kingdom will not be human versus machine. It will be a combination of both — a model where AI accelerates delivery and consultants deepen impact. Together, they form a capability that supports Vision 2030’s ambition to build a competitive, innovative, and digitally empowered economy.

• Sarah Abdullah Bawazir is an enterprise architecture and digital transformation consultant at Jodayn.