Riverbed’s AI Survey Reveals Saudi Arabia at a Critical AI Inflection Point

Riverbed, an AI Observability company, has unveiled its Global AI & Digital Experience Survey, highlighting that Saudi Arabia is at a pivotal moment in AI adoption. While optimism is high, with 95% of surveyed organizations naming AI a top C-suite priority and 92% seeing it as a competitive advantage, only 31% are fully prepared to implement AI projects. Key challenges such as data quality and scalability are slowing the full realization of AI’s potential.

Saudi Arabia, a major AI market, is expected to shape AI adoption regionally and globally. Earlier this year, the Kingdom announced a $40 billion investment fund focused on AI, signaling its ambition in this space. According to Moueen Zahreddine, Regional Director – Strategic Business, EMEA Emerging at Riverbed, “The next three years will see rapid AI expansion as enterprises seek practical solutions. By 2027, 82% of Saudi leaders expect their organizations to be fully ready to implement AI strategies.”

Riverbed will showcase its AI solutions, including AI Observability and AIOps, at GITEX 2024, under the theme “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy.”

AI to Drive Growth by 2027

Today, 59% of Saudi leaders use AI primarily to drive operational efficiency, but by 2027, 62% believe AI will shift towards being a growth driver. Trust in AI is also growing, with 59% of respondents stating they would rather use AI to automate IT upgrades than sit in a driverless car.

The survey reveals enthusiasm for AI across all levels, particularly among C-suite executives and younger employees. Currently, 64% of leaders prioritize AI, and 95% agree it enhances digital experiences for users.

AI Adoption Accelerating Despite Challenges

While 73% of organizations are accelerating their AI strategies with increased investment, the survey identified three key gaps:

1. Reality Gap: 86% believe they are ahead of competitors in AI adoption, though this perception may be overconfident.

2. Readiness Gap: Only 31% feel fully prepared to implement AI now, with challenges in scaling AI.

3. Data Gap: 57% express concerns over data quality, and data security remains a key issue, with 72% worried about proprietary data.

Overcoming AI Barriers

To address these gaps, 59% of organizations have formed dedicated AI teams, and 84% emphasize the importance of using real data in AI initiatives. Additionally, observability across IT environments is seen as crucial, with 92% agreeing it plays a key role in AIOps strategies.

Riverbed’s insights come at a time when Saudi Arabia and other nations are shaping the future of AI, leveraging these technologies to drive both efficiency and growth.