81 percent of CEOs in Saudi Arabia embraced AI in the past year, says PWC

Saudi Arabian business CEOs are highly optimistic about their companies' revenue growth in 2025, surpassing regional and global averages. Saudi Arabia is emerging as a preferred regional investment destination beyond its domestic market, with large-scale investments in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and emerging industries reshaping the business landscape.

According to PwC's 28th Annual Global CEO Survey: Saudi findings reveal that 72% of Saudi Arabian CEOs have invested in climate-friendly initiatives to further strengthen their commitment to sustainable growth, while 81% of CEOs have adopted generative AI in the past year, exceeding their global and regional counterparts.

Riyadh AlNajjar, Chairman of the Board of PwC Middle East and Senior Partner of PwC Saudi Arabia, stated: "Saudi Arabia’s business leaders are at the forefront of the world’s most dynamic economic transformation. Their unwavering commitment to digital innovation, sustainability, and industry diversification is not just about embracing change, but about driving it. As Saudi Arabia continues to make strategic investments in AI, workforce development, and emerging industries, it is shaping a more resilient and future-oriented economy." As Saudi Arabia accelerates its economic transformation, local business leaders are among the most confident in the region, guiding their organizations to realize the nation's ambitious commitment to a sustainable and future-proof economy.

Building on this momentum, Saudi Arabian CEOs are leveraging digital transformation to enhance efficiency, innovation, and long-term profitability. The survey shows that 81% of Saudi Arabian CEOs have integrated generative AI into their organizations, with 71% expecting further improvements in profitability over the next 12 months. Trust in AI is also notably high, with 57% of Saudi Arabian CEOs confident in embedding AI into key business processes, surpassing the global average.

Faisal Alsarraj, Deputy Country Leader of PwC Middle East Saudi Arabia, stated: "Saudi Arabia's CEOs are leading the region in AI adoption, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for digital transformation. The rapid integration of AI and emerging technologies has already led to significant gains in efficiency and profitability, strengthening Saudi Arabia's competitive edge on the world stage."

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its diversification agenda, nearly half of Saudi Arabian CEOs indicate that they have begun competing in industries or sectors they were unfamiliar with in the past five years. Looking ahead, 69% of local CEOs plan to pursue acquisitions in the next three years, with 75% of deal value expected to come from industries outside of their traditional sectors.

This expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia's vision of building new economic pillars, from giga-projects and AI-powered smart cities to high-tech manufacturing and cultural investments. With continued investments in infrastructure and innovation, Saudi Arabia is attracting significant local and international interest, further solidifying its role as a global investment hub.

While Saudi Arabian CEOs remain optimistic about growth, they are also navigating an evolving risk landscape. Cybersecurity has emerged as a top priority, with 49% of CEOs highlighting the risk of significant cyber threats. To this end, business leaders are increasing investments in digital resilience, strengthening cyber defenses, and embedding advanced AI-driven security solutions to protect their organizations from emerging risks.

Despite these challenges, Saudi business leaders are demonstrating resilience, ensuring long-term value creation through strategic investments in AI, workforce upskilling, and sustainability. As Saudi Arabia now enters the five-year milestone of achieving its 2030 Vision, CEOs across the nation are embracing transformation, driving innovation, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a frontrunner in the global economy.