15/06/2026 03:14 AST
Artificial intelligence adoption among businesses in Saudi Arabia rose to 33.1 percent in 2025, up 20 percent from 2024, official data showed.
According to the latest report by the General Authority for Statistics, the information and communications sector recorded the highest uptake of AI technologies at 61.1 percent, followed by the financial and insurance activities sector at 52.9 percent, and the education sector at 51 percent.
Other notable sectors include transportation and storage at 44.4 percent and professional activities at 43.9 percent.
The figures highlight the growing adoption of advanced digital technologies across the Kingdom's business sector, with several industries leading the shift toward AI and other digital tools.
In its latest report, GASTAT stated: "The results of the ICT Access and Usage Statistics indicated that 98.1 percent of establishments had Internet access. The findings also showed an expansion in the use of digital services among establishments, with the usage rate of e-government services reaching 93.2 percent."
It added: "Meanwhile, the use of the Internet for conducting electronic banking services reached 79.1 percent, while the use of social media platforms stood at 66.3 percent and the percentage of establishments advertising their products through social media platforms reached 52.3 percent."
According to the report, 71.4 percent of establishments use the Internet of Things for building security, including smart alarms, fire detection, surveillance cameras, and door locks. The use of IoT for customer service stood at 54.6 percent, while usage for energy consumption management reached 40percent and for maintenance purposes 25.4 percent.
E-commerce activity continues to expand, with 33.5 percent of establishments using the internet to sell or display goods and services - the highest share being in the financial and insurance sector, at 48.5 percent. Among those receiving online orders, 28 percent deliver sales digitally.
Cloud computing services are also seeing wider adoption, with 51.3 percent of establishments using them.
Within this group, 56.4 percent employ cloud-based office software, up 5.4 percent from 2024, while 55.3 percent use cloud email services, up 9.9 percent. Meanwhile, 42.8 percent rely on cloud storage for files, up 4.1 percent.
The Establishments' ICT Access and Usage Survey is conducted using a methodology aligned with international standards set by the UN Conference on Trade and Development, ensuring data quality and international comparability, GASTAT added.
Arab News
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