Saudi Arabia tops global digital readiness, tech sector jobs surge
Communications minister says Saudi Arabia leads the world in digital readiness as the digital economy grows to 522 billion riyals.
Key Takeaways
AIMinister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha announced that Saudi Arabia has ranked first globally in digital readiness, speaking at a government press conference held on the sidelines of the LEAP technology conference.
Al-Swaha noted that jobs in the technology sector have increased from 150,000 to 410,000, reflecting significant growth in this vital job market.
He added that Saudi Arabia has become a technology exporter, capable of serving one billion customers in its main market, and highlighted that the Saudi digital economy has grown to 522 billion riyals (SAR), with a cumulative growth rate exceeding 75%.
Technological achievements and talent development
The minister pointed out that there are more than 80 technology schools in the Kingdom, with around 30,000 talents trained in artificial intelligence as part of efforts to enhance national competencies.
He stated that the LEAP conference has become the region's largest technology movement, thanks to the support of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, showcasing achievements and success stories in the sector.
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Major projects launched and AI adoption
The LEAP conference is also witnessing the launch of major projects in partnership with global companies, including Microsoft's Azure cloud platform.
The minister also highlighted the adoption of artificial intelligence solutions in both public and private sectors, with specialized university programs launched to boost technical capabilities.