From Ambition To Reality

George Nazi, CEO of the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), outlines the organization’s blueprint to redefine Saudi Arabia’s tech landscape

At the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), which is a key driving force for the Kingdom’s ambitions to establish itself as a global AI powerhouse. Led by CEO George Nazi, the entity – which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – has been making waves with its efforts to position the Kingdom as a competitive AI hub. 

SCAI is PIF’s arm in the AI and emerging technologies sector, and it focuses on delivering AI solutions across different sectors such as smart cities, energy, healthcare and financial services. According to Nazi, SCAI’s mission is deeply intertwined with that of Vision 2030, and the organization is committed to advancing AI to play a pivotal role in the country’s national transformation. “With the Saudi AI market poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 42.6% by 2030, SCAI is proud to contribute to this growth by empowering talent, fostering innovation, localizing technology, and driving advancements in AI adoption,” Nazi declared. 

And as Saudi Arabia continues its transformation into a high-tech powerhouse, AI’s contributions cannot be understated. “Because the AI industry does not evolve linearly nor does it behave like traditional economic sectors, our outlook is focused on 2030, which gives us a more robust view on our strategy and ambition,” Nazi said. “We expect AI to contribute more than SAR500 billion (US$133 billion) in economic contribution to the nation by 2030. Furthermore, we estimate that the AI application market will reach more than SAR41 billion ($10.93 billion) by 2030.” 

Diversified Applications 

By embedding AI technologies across various priority sectors such as healthcare, media and entertainment, sports, and smart city applications, Nazi said that SCAI is not only enhancing operational efficiencies, but it’s also creating new industries and opportunities for economic growth, while staying true to the goals of diversification. “For instance, our AI-driven solutions in healthcare are revolutionizing diagnostics and patient care, while in sports, innovations like our SportNative AI-driven products suite are transforming athlete performance analytics and fan engagement, contributing to the growth of a vibrant sports industry,” he explained. 

Launched in 2024, this particular suite – which includes the products, Sport- Native Platform, SportNative Scout and SportNative Venue – helps users make informed decisions more effectively. The SportNative Platform integrates different data sources and advanced computer vision technology to detect game tactics and offer in-depth team and player performance analysis. As for the SportNative Scout, it uses AI to help sports organizations to discover future stars. Finally, the SportNative Venue helps enhance safety, security, and overall fan experience across sporting venues. 

“The launch of SportNative products marks a pivotal moment for SCAI, dovetailing seamlessly with the strategic aims set forth by the Ministry of Sport,” Nazi noted. “Meanwhile, our sustained collaborations with diverse sports organizations, such as football clubs, embody the cooperative spirit that has guided the creation of SportNative. These alliances have played a critical role in refining the platform and securing its place as a pertinent pillar within the sports community. More specifically, SportNative will be a marketplace bolstering a variety of applications around real time sports analytics, fan engagement and more.” 

SCAI is also making significant strides in the media sector. Its partnership with AlArabia Outdoor Advertising is pioneering AI-driven outdoor advertising, bringing hyper-personalized digital billboards to Riyadh. “Together, we are leveraging AI technologies to reshape the landscape of outdoor advertising in Riyadh,” Nazi said. “One of the more exciting themes in the works for the media sector is hyper-personalization of the digital-out-of-home subsector. Imagine driving past a billboard, which, based on a number of traits, can show advertisements tailored to you.” 

Nazi also pointed to Saudi Arabia’s investments in smart city projects, such as NEOM and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), which exceed $150 billion, where SCAI is playing a key role in integrating AI into these developments. With KAFD, for instance, SCAI is implementing a smart city project aimed at transforming urban operations within the district, while also rolling out a smart traffic management (STM) platform as well as a mobility-as-aservice (MaaS) platform. “We are working together to integrate AI solutions that enhance urban living and operational efficiency,” Nazi added. “This includes the deployment of intelligent traffic management systems, energy optimization programs, and smart infrastructure maintenance tools, all of which contribute to making KAFD a model for future smart cities in the region.” 

Investing In People 

An essential aspect of the Kingdom’s AI ambitions is its investment in digital talent. Nazi pointed out that the country has made “remarkable advancements” on this front, with the number of professionals in the field doubling to reach 381,000 people. It’s also worth noting here that female participation in the technology sector has grown from 7% to 35%. 

“Our initiatives in training and nurturing local talent in AI and emerging technologies are particularly crucial, as they empower a new generation of Saudi professionals to lead in the high-tech economy,” Nazi said. “By driving these changes, SCAI not only supports Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, but it also contributes to its goal of becoming a global hub for innovation and technology.” He also said that SCAI’s commitment to nurturing the talent pool is evident through its educational initiatives aimed at developing expertise in AI and related technologies. “This approach is crucial for sustaining the growth of AI within the Kingdom,” Nazi added. 

SCAI is also playing a key role in supporting the growth of AI startups, and democratizing AI adoption among SMEs. “These efforts are crucial for building a sustainable ecosystem that not only adapts to the evolving technological landscape, but also leads it,” Nazi pointed out. “By empowering local enterprises and innovators with AI tools and capabilities, SCAI aims to ensure that Saudi Arabia not only keeps pace with global AI trends, but sets new benchmarks in AI excellence and application.” 

Leading The Way 

While commending the work being done across Saudi Arabia in this regard, Nazi said that other countries with similar ambitions would do well to learn from the Kingdom’s commitment to building a comprehensive ecosystem for AI, which includes investing in digital infrastructure, fostering local talent, and promoting AI literacy across various sectors of society. “Saudi Arabia’s focus on education and training programs to prepare the future workforce for AI-driven economies is particularly noteworthy,” he added. “This proactive approach in nurturing homegrown talent ensures that the AI sector remains sustainable and vibrant. We also recognize the disruption that AI can bring to some of the more traditional industries and sectors. The Kingdom is one of the early adopters in acting on the need to reskill and upskill a significant amount of the Kingdom’s labor force.” 

According to Nazi, the country’s expansive AI strategy can provide valuable insights for other nations looking to harness AI’s potential to drive economic growth and societal advancement. Aligning AI strategies with national development goals is key, Nazi said, as demonstrated by Vision 2030. “One example is Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI), which sets clear objectives, including ranking among the top 15 countries in AI by 2030 and training 20,000 AI specialists,” he explained. “This alignment ensures that AI initiatives contribute directly to broader economic diversification efforts and infrastructure development, fostering a holistic approach to national progress.” 

From Nazi’s perspective, the Kingdom is definitely primed to be an AI leader – and its population is paying attention. “Public awareness of AI has increased significantly, with 75% of the population familiar with the concept, and 64% aware of its applications,” he noted. Part of this awareness comes from the initiatives taken by public and private sector bodies to ensure the benefits of adopting AI are well highlighted. On this front, SCAI’s strategic partnerships are instrumental. “These partnerships are tailored to infuse AI technology across diverse sectors, enhancing operational efficiencies and fostering innovation in line with national priorities,” Nazi explained. “Each collaboration is carefully selected to expand our technological reach and support environments conducive to AI development and application, contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts.” 

In 2024, SCAI revealed more than 14 strategic partnerships with global and regional organizations, which enhanced its technological capabilities and facilitated knowledge exchange. “These partnerships have enabled us to make considerable advancements in AI-driven solutions across various sectors such as sports and entertainment, smart cities and enterprise solutions, thus reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position in the global AI landscape,” Nazi said.

According to Nazi, SCAI has developed a structured approach to such collaborations. “We have developed our own partnership prioritization and elevation framework to ensure that all parties involved benefit from a productive partnership,” he explained. “We categorize partners into two main categories: development partnerships, and go-to-market partnerships. Organizations that we partner with for development typically focus on co-development opportunities, where, together, we can develop products at the edge of innovation, or enhance our existing offerings.” 

He continued, “With go-to-market partners, we focus our effort on entering new markets, exploring joint opportunities for our clients, our partners’ clients, or penetrating a completely new sector or client, where together, we come stronger rather than individually. We consistently reassess the quality of our partnerships, and we proactively seek ways on how to convert some of our longstanding relationships into strategic partnerships.” 

A key collaboration for SCAI is the one it has with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), with a notable achievement from this partnership being the creation of the AI Ethical Framework. “Our collaboration with SDAIA to develop a first-of-its-kind AI Ethical Framework highlights our dedication to responsible AI, ensuring that our deployments align with cultural values and strategic goals,” Nazi noted, while adding this partnership is further proof that SCAI’s AI initiatives align with national priorities. “This partnership is essential in crafting policies and frameworks that promote the ethical use of AI, ensuring its benefits extend across all sectors of Saudi society,” he pointed out. 

Furthermore, SCAI’s AI project, Sawaher, is one that shows the organization’s ability to push boundaries. On this project, SCAI partnered with the telco stc as well as the Saudi Technology and Security Comprehensive Control Company, Tahakom, to launch the AI-driven platform that was initiated by SDAIA. Sawaher’s aim is to enhance urban safety across the Kingdom by using AI technologies and smart analytics. It utilizes AI-powered surveillance and smart analytics to analyze visual data, detect potential risks, and strengthen security in Saudi cities. The project also involves the development of a centralized AI platform to improve real-time threat detection and urban safety measures. “Sawaher exemplifies how targeted AI solutions can drive sectorspecific advancements, further solidifying our role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” Nazi said. “These initiatives collectively ensure that Saudi Arabia is not only a participant, but a leader in the global AI landscape, leveraging technology to foster economic growth and enhance societal well-being.” 

Nazi also confirmed that SCAI plans to extend its collaborative efforts with international stakeholders in the future, with the aim to further enhance its AI capabilities, and build a leading AI ecosystem. This includes forming strategic partnerships with global AI organizations across areas such as infrastructure and hardware, products and solutions, attracting world leading investors, and sharing its findings at international AI summits and conferences. “Such collaborations will not only bring in global expertise and insights, but also provide platforms for SCAI to showcase its innovations and contribute to global discussions on AI development,” he added. 

The Future Is Here 

SCAI’s roadmap for the future thus focuses on expanding strategic partnerships, driving AI adoption across key sectors, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. “As we look ahead, SCAI is set to spearhead initiatives that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly in enhancing digital infrastructure, which is foundational for the AI sector’s expansion. participates, but leads in the evolving global AI domain,” he said. 

On a personal level, Nazi said the potential impact of SCAI’s work on the future of Saudi Arabia and beyond is “incredibly inspiring.” “What motivates me most in my role is the opportunity to shape the future by creating technologies that empower people, enhance human potential, and drive positive change,” he said. “Seeing our initiatives, such as the pioneering AI Ethical Framework developed with SDAIA, set global standards for responsible AI use, and empowering a new generation of AI specialists through our internship programs for university students, truly reaffirms the positive influence we can have.” 

“As the CEO of SCAI, one of my most significant wins has been driving impactful innovations that align with Vision 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI,” he continued. “This achievement involves leading the organization through a transformative phase where we not only advanced our technological capabilities, but also established SCAI as a key player in KSA and more broadly on the global AI stage. Witnessing firsthand how our efforts contribute to societal progress and help build a smarter, more connected world fuels my dedication and enthusiasm every day.”