How Saudi Arabia is Growing Its Tech Talent to Lead in AI
Saudi Arabia’s push to develop tech talent and lead in AI is part of a planned national transformation. Backed by billions in investment, the country is reshaping its workforce and expanding its capabilities in artificial intelligence. Vision 2030 places human capital at the heart of this transformation, emphasizing government support, educational reform, and strategic business partnerships to drive growth. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a new generation of specialists equipped to compete on the global stage.
From high-tech cities like NEOM to health sector applications, artificial intelligence projects rely on a strong workforce. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was established in 2019 to oversee this mission. SDAIA has a mandate to prepare 20,000 professionals by 2030. It manages the National Strategy for Data and AI and directs efforts that prioritize capability building.
Institutional Investment and AI Policy Foundations
Saudi Arabia ranks 14th globally in AI readiness, according to UNESCO’s 2024 report. It ranks first in the Arab region. This standing is a result of dedicated national policy. The LEAP tech conference in 2025 attracted $1.79 billion in AI-specific funding. These investments go toward academic partnerships, research, infrastructure, and business development. National policy links technology with economic reform.
The foundation for this effort was laid between 2018 and 2022. During this period, AI-related job postings grew by 54% annually. Demand from public and private sectors continues to outpace supply. SDAIA’s national roadmap highlights the urgency of training local talent.
Education Reform and Academic Capacity Building
Saudi universities have restructured degree programs to accommodate the demands of the digital economy. In KSA, 86% of universities now offer undergraduate degrees in artificial intelligence. 56% offer master’s degrees, while 9% provide doctoral programs.
This expansion is based on practical needs. Between 2022 and 2023, AI-related graduation numbers increased by 42%. These graduates come from engineering, data science, and computer science backgrounds. Over 38,000 students have completed AI-aligned programs since 2019. This figure includes 6,500 individuals who studied internationally and returned to join Saudi Arabia’s workforce.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals offers a flexible path in artificial intelligence and data science. These tracks include hands-on learning, project-based assessments, and links to private-sector mentorships. KAUST, another major academic institution, uses cloud platforms and open courses to deliver accessible AI education.
Government and Private Sector Training Programs
Saudi Arabia’s strategy depends on scalable learning opportunities. SDAIA funds nationwide boot camps that serve learners at all levels. These boot camps prepare participants for technical and applied work.
The Elevate Program, launched by SDAIA and Google Cloud, is another example. This five-year project plans to train over 25,000 women in machine learning. It includes participants from 28 countries and offers advanced instruction in technical fields.
Tuwaiq Academy also plays a key part. It has partnered with Alibaba Cloud and STC to build university labs dedicated to artificial intelligence. These facilities offer access to industry-standard environments and structured mentorship.
Key training pathways include:
- Government-funded boot camps for various experience levels
- Career-acceleration programs with Aramco and the Ministry of Investment
- Academic partnerships with global cloud and data firms
- MOOCs for remote and self-directed learning
- Research fellowships and international placements
These investments support both foundational education and specialized upskilling.
KAUST and the Integration of Research and Training
KAUST plays an important part in combining research with practical learning. The university develops programs that help students and professionals build skills in artificial intelligence. These efforts are designed to meet national goals by preparing people for current and future job markets.
Through partnerships with national organizations and international companies, KAUST runs events, workshops, and short courses focused on applied learning. The university also connects graduates with potential employers and supports those who want to start their own businesses. This approach helps bridge the gap between education and employment.
Linking Curriculum With Practical Requirements
Artificial intelligence education in Saudi Arabia is expanding beyond technical knowledge. To succeed in the workplace, professionals also need to understand how AI connects to business, teamwork, and decision-making. This is why many programs now include real-world experience alongside classroom learning.
Omar Alolayan, co-founder of Almutanabi FinTech, believes education should match the way AI is used in actual industries. He encourages the use of online platforms, community centers, and scholarship programs to increase access. He also supports tools that make learning easier for beginners.
More universities are working with private companies to update what they teach. This includes adding mentorship programs and adjusting course content to match hiring needs. These efforts include:
- Practical projects that reflect workplace challenges
- Final-year work judged by professionals from industry
- Curriculum advice from company partners
- Evening and weekend programs for working adults
These steps help students move from learning environments into jobs more smoothly and confidently.
AI Infrastructure Inside Giga-Projects
NEOM and similar developments serve as real-world laboratories for AI applications. These projects are designed to integrate machine learning into energy management, transport, and public safety systems.
By embedding AI labs into urban planning departments, the projects serve dual functions. They provide training space while allowing participants to contribute to live systems. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle of innovation and deployment.
These environments attract foreign advisors while supporting domestic capacity. They also create employment options for AI professionals in both engineering and policy development.
Expanding Access for Women and Marginalized Groups
The Elevate Program and others demonstrate a commitment to inclusion. Women have historically been underrepresented in high-technology fields. These initiatives target the access gap through tuition support, mentorship, and digital training tools.
Saudi universities have begun offering early-access courses for high school girls. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is also launching coding academies in rural areas. These programs are supported by mobile learning units and cloud-based labs.
National access strategies now include childcare support, transportation subsidies, and remote learning flexibility. These approaches remove external barriers and build inclusive pathways into AI careers.
International Engagement and Talent Mobility
Saudi Arabia has opened pathways for global collaboration. The GAIN Summit, held in Riyadh, brings together academic leaders, government officials, and private-sector researchers. It has become a reference point for policy alignment and ethical discussion.
The Kingdom has also signed agreements with institutions in Europe, North America, and Asia. These include shared degree programs, research centers, and student exchange platforms.
The goal is to build a workforce that can move between global and local settings. These partnerships also give Saudi professionals access to international networks and postdoctoral placements.
Outcomes and Forward Planning
Saudi Arabia’s AI talent strategy has already shown results. Job postings in the field increased by 54% per year from 2018 to 2022. Graduation rates in AI fields rose 42% in 2023. These metrics confirm that current policies are expanding workforce capacity.
More importantly, they show demand alignment. Companies across sectors like finance, energy, and logistics are hiring specialists trained within the system. The country is beginning to meet its goal of building a sustainable AI workforce.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is growing its tech talent to lead in AI reflects a structured national campaign. This effort draws strength from targeted investment, reformed education, and industry collaboration. It is creating a workforce prepared to contribute across sectors and settings. By expanding training access and linking learning to employment, Saudi Arabia is building more than infrastructure. It is building the capacity to lead. Explore how Arthur Lawrence empowers the Middle East with future-ready AI and tech talent.