Saudi Arabia is making significant investments in IT, especially artificial intelligence, to reduce its traditional reliance on oil. Recently, the country announced a $15 billion investment in AI at the Leap 2025 event near Riyadh. The conference featured a range of speakers who painted a picture of Saudi Arabia as an IT powerhouse with plans to become a regional data center hub and a center for digital innovation, all part of its Vision 2030 strategy.
However, reaching that goal isn’t straightforward. To realize its ambitions in technology, Saudi Arabia needs a robust presence of tech companies, skilled talent, and solid infrastructure—both physical and digital. While there’s a clear desire to shift from an economy dominated by state sectors, the path forward is filled with challenges.
At events like this, there’s often a gap between the optimistic visions presented and the reality outside the conference halls. My own experiences, bolstered by a decent grasp of Arabic, underscored the hurdles in the kingdom’s quest for a developed digital economy.
Take getting to the conference, for example. I attempted to use Careem, a local taxi app. They advertised a 100% discount for Leap attendees, but it didn’t work. I ended up paying cash, missing out on the discount. The event also lacked a designated taxi lane, leaving me stranded far from the main exhibit area. It seemed like Uber drivers were avoiding the venue, which led to negotiation hassles with taxi drivers who were eager to inflate fares after long rides.
Inside the event, navigating through numerous stages in a massive area proved challenging. The event app’s map was hard to read, and physical maps were nonexistent. Staff members in “crowd control” vests seemed more focused on directing foot traffic than helping attendees find their way. Asking for directions was often met with blank stares, a frustrating reminder of a deeper issue—underemployment and a lack of initiative.
The Wi-Fi faltered when I needed it most, making it tough to keep track of sessions. And let’s not forget the long lines at the men’s restrooms, adding to the overall chaos.
What does this have to do with achieving digital transformation? As a UK journalist, I fit the profile of the skilled foreign workers the kingdom aims to attract. However, talent retention isn’t just about throwing money at problems. Many of the daily struggles I encountered stem from ingrained inequalities in Saudi society and ongoing challenges in the education system.
While many Saudis are well-educated and fluent in English, not everyone has access to those opportunities. This limits the talent pool in ways that developed countries do not face. Compounding this issue is the public sector’s dominance, where personal connections often dictate career advancement.
Nevertheless, the warmth and hospitality of the Saudis I met were genuine and disarming. Like people everywhere, given the right opportunities, they could meet the challenges ahead. The real question is how smoothly the state and society can navigate the necessary changes to unleash their potential.