By: Michael Cade, Global Field CTO, Veeam Software 

So far, AI adoption has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving organizations largely to make up their own rules. But this lack of clarity hasn’t slowed organizations down. In fact, McKinsey’s latest survey found that 88% of organizations already report using AI in at least one business function. Despite this, innovation has slowed, and it’s become clear that organizations have overlooked a key enabler of safe and secure AI - data sovereignty.

Simultaneously, regulation has begun to catch up, and much of it points to the same principles of data sovereignty and AI visibility. Take the EU AI Act, for example, which sets strict, risk-based rules on both AI development and deployment within the EU to improve AI visibility. 

Rather than blindly charging ahead, organizations need to pause to develop transparent, traceable, and sovereign-by-design data architectures. Otherwise, they won’t just be unable to unlock the true potential of AI for their businesses; they’ll also fall behind on regulatory compliance. 

Not all data is good data.

As you might expect, both digital sovereignty and AI innovation boil down to data. It’s already well documented that AI needs a lot of data, and we’ve got plenty, with the IDC estimating that the global datasphere reached around 181 zettabytes annually in 2025. But, despite having plenty of data, Generative AI (genAI) pilots continue to fail widely. Some research suggests that as many as 95% of enterprise genAI pilots fail to reach production, or even demonstrate measurable ROI. The reason? Long-standing data hygiene issues. 

Thanks in no small part to AI, data growth has become exponential, but organizations have largely failed to keep up. This influx has far outpaced storage processes, and organizations have somewhat taken their eye off the ball, with ‘junk’ data being stored alongside the ‘useful’ data required for AI usage. And ultimately, AI systems inherit not just the bias but also the quality and structure of the data they are trained on. So, if the training sets are poorly structured and include ‘junk’ data, outputs, and usability suffer. 

There’s also a significant knock-on effect with compliance and regulation. While regulatory bodies are yet to agree on a unified approach to AI regulation, it’s already becoming clear that visibility will be central to future requirements. In Europe alone, the EU AI Act and the NIS2 Directive are already signaling a broader push for stronger governance, transparency, and control over operational and training data. And without strong sovereignty, organizations will remain unable to map and understand their data landscape to adhere to existing and future requirements. 

Sorting the wheat from the chaff 

After the last few years of data growth, the sheer scale of the workloads most businesses now hold can seem daunting. Before organizations can improve their data hygiene, they first need to understand and classify their data. Not just for what it contains, but also according to how sensitive it is. A piece of data may be useful for a genAI pilot, but if it’s too sensitive, it cannot be used. This level of understanding not only avoids mistakenly giving genAI programmes sensitive data, but could also be key to creating genAI that delivers on its potential. Instead of training it on a pile of ‘useful’ data peppered with ‘junk’ data, organizations will be able to feed AI only the information it actually needs. 

Once this is all in place and you know what you’re working with, organizations can begin to define the sovereignty requirements for each data bucket, including both regulatory and locality rules. For some, the knee-jerk reaction is to restrict usage to meet the strongest requirements of data localization laws. Still, the EU’s GDPR, for example, doesn’t mandate localization within a specific EU country, just to the European Economic Area (EEA), although it does place strict restrictions on the transfer of personal data outside the EEA – creating a ‘soft localization’ effect in practice. There’s a lot of nuance within this, which is why many organizations are adopting hybrid or multi-cloud architectures to maintain flexibility over where workloads are processed and stored. With these, organizations can restrict data where needed to meet localization requirements, while still maintaining data portability, which will be essential as regulations continue to change. This flexibility and transparency allow organizations not just to monitor where their data resides, but who can access it - essential knowledge not just for compliance, but for security too. 

Not just a tickbox

Up until now, data sovereignty has been relegated to the bottom of the priority list, seen mostly as a compliance exercise. Organizations have ticked it off, but only as part of a longer list of regulatory requirements, rather than considering it as a vital part of their data strategy. But if fully understood and wielded correctly, aligned with the wider business strategy, it can do much more. 

Not only can it feed into the data governance frameworks that underpin operations, but it can also help inform and establish AI governance. With clean, structured, and classified data, organizations can finally unlock the true potential of their genAI pilots. 

So far, data sovereignty has been underestimated, but with genAI innovation stalling and regulation catching up, organizations can’t afford to do so any longer. 

Ghada Ismail

Positioned at the intersection of conversational AI and enterprise automation, Amira AI Almost Human is a Germany-origin platform delivering AI-powered customer experience and sales solutions across the Middle East and Europe. Headquartered in Dubai and operating under AC Group Middle East, the company enables businesses to automate interactions across voice, chat, email, and messaging platforms in more than 120 languages, offering what it describes as a highly human-like AI interface. 

Designed as an omnichannel automation layer, Amira’s technology integrates with enterprise systems to streamline customer service, qualify sales leads, and manage high volumes of interactions in real time. Its platform is used by over 150 enterprises, spanning industries where responsiveness and customer experience are critical, positioning the company as a key player in the growing adoption of AI-driven customer engagement solutions in the region. 

In this interview, Andreas Willmers, CEO of Amira.ai Almost Human, discusses how the company is addressing long-standing inefficiencies in customer care, the evolving concerns around AI adoption, and the opportunities emerging in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly advancing digital economy.

What problem are you solving today by using different AI tools?
We are solving a wide range of customer care challenges. We position ourselves as one of the world’s leading AI and automation platforms, enabling companies to automate processes across voice, chat, and virtually any communication channel. Our platform connects from anywhere to anywhere, acting as an API layer before, during, and after every conversation.

A key issue we address is waiting time. Traditionally, when customers call an airline or similar service, they may wait up to 45 minutes before being assisted. With AI, we can pick up calls within 10 seconds and resolve up to 80% of inquiries without involving a human agent. In effect, companies gain access to a virtually unlimited workforce that can respond instantly while maintaining a human-like interaction.

Beyond customer care, we also support sales processes by qualifying large volumes of leads. For instance, in real estate, agents often struggle to reach potential clients. Our platform can contact and qualify an unlimited number of leads immediately, improving efficiency and reducing frustration.

Ultimately, customer service becomes faster, more accessible, and available 24/7 across all channels, whether WhatsApp, email, phone, Slack, or Telegram. With full context awareness, we can resolve issues more efficiently, resulting in higher customer satisfaction, improved net promoter scores, increased sales, and reduced operational costs.

What is the top concern your clients raise about AI, and how do you address it?
There are companies that are already highly prepared for AI and understand that it is not perfect and is still evolving. However, the primary concern we encounter is data security, which is especially critical when working with banks and large enterprises such as Vodafone, Volkswagen Group, and L’Oréal.

To address this, we implement strict security measures. Unlike some smaller providers that directly connect AI systems to CRM platforms, we always introduce a security layer in between. This ensures that AI never has direct access to the CRM. Additionally, within workflows, we define precisely what information the AI can request and what it can return. Proper orchestration and security layers are essential to maintaining data integrity and protecting sensitive information.

Are there any collaborations or partnerships your company is considering in the Saudi market?
We already have partnerships in place. Our solution is fully white-labelable, meaning partners can adopt our technology, brand it with their own identity, and offer it under their name. This significantly expands market opportunities.

Our platform covers the full ecosystem, including agentic capabilities, call analysis, agent training, and real-time assistance. In markets like Saudi Arabia, this model enables large IT companies—previously focused on equipping call centers or providing telecom infrastructure—to integrate our solution and offer it to enterprises under their own brand.

We are actively seeking additional white-label partners in Saudi Arabia, as well as large enterprise clients that are ready to transition to AI-driven automation.

In your opinion, which sectors in Saudi Arabia are most ready for AI transformation?
Sectors with high customer interaction are the readiest. This includes hospitality, real estate, banking, airlines, and insurance. These industries handle large volumes of customer inquiries and place significant importance on customer satisfaction. Wherever customer experience is critical, AI adoption becomes both necessary and highly impactful.

How does your company approach responsible and ethical AI deployment?
Since AI is not perfect, it is essential to implement oversight mechanisms. Our approach involves deploying a second AI system to monitor and evaluate the performance of the first. Every interaction is continuously assessed from a technical standpoint to ensure quality and accuracy.

For example, after each call, we analyze how the AI performed, what actions it took, and whether all queries were handled correctly. This constant monitoring ensures that the system maintains high standards and operates responsibly.

How do you envision AI shaping the broader business landscape in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is a large and diverse market, and AI will inevitably impact every industry. Those who believe they do not need AI today are similar to those who believed they did not need the internet in the 1990s.

AI will enhance customer service, automate business processes, and enable faster, more efficient operations. Ultimately, it will lead to higher customer satisfaction and increased revenue across sectors.

Ghada Ismail

For years, the global digital economy has been built on a simple promise: move everything to the cloud. Data from phones, sensors, machines, and platforms would travel to centralized servers, be processed, and return with insights. That model worked well when speed was not critical, and data volumes were manageable.

Today, data is being generated everywhere, in factories, vehicles, hospitals, retail stores, and entire cities. And much of it needs to be processed instantly, not after a round trip to a distant data center. This is where Edge Computing comes in.

Edge computing is the practice of processing data closer to where it is created rather than sending it to centralized cloud infrastructure. Instead of relying on faraway servers, computation happens at or near the source, whether that is a sensor, a machine, a mobile device, or a local data node.

In Saudi Arabia, this shift is becoming especially important. As the Kingdom accelerates its digital transformation under Vision 2030, the demand for real-time intelligence across industries is rising fast. From smart cities to autonomous systems, edge computing is emerging as the invisible layer that makes this transformation possible.

The Shift from Cloud to Edge

Cloud computing is not disappearing. In fact, it remains the backbone of global digital infrastructure. But it has clear limitations when speed, scale, and immediacy are required.

One of the biggest challenges is latency. When data must travel to a centralized cloud region and back, even a few milliseconds of delay can matter. In applications like autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, or remote healthcare, that delay is not acceptable.

Bandwidth is another constraint. As billions of devices come online under the Internet of Things, continuously sending raw data to the cloud becomes inefficient and expensive. Not every piece of data needs to travel that far.

Edge computing solves these problems by complementing the cloud rather than replacing it. The cloud still handles heavy analytics, long-term storage, and training of large AI models. Edge systems handle immediate decision-making, filtering, and local processing.

This shift is tightly connected to three major technological trends shaping Saudi Arabia’s digital future.

First is artificial intelligence. AI systems increasingly require real-time inference at the point of action. Second is IoT growth, where sensors and connected devices generate constant streams of data. Third is real-time decision-making, which is becoming essential in sectors ranging from logistics to energy.

Together, these forces are pushing computing closer to the edge.

Why Saudi Arabia Is Positioned for Edge Computing

Saudi Arabia is not just adopting digital infrastructure; it is building it on a national scale.

Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is investing heavily in becoming a global technology and innovation hub. This includes everything from smart infrastructure and digital government services to giga-projects designed around data-driven ecosystems.

Projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea development, and other smart city initiatives are designed from the ground up to rely on real-time data flows. These environments cannot function efficiently if every sensor, camera, or autonomous system must depend on distant cloud servers. They require distributed intelligence, which is exactly what edge computing provides.

Another key factor is data sovereignty. As digital systems become more critical to national infrastructure, there is a growing emphasis on keeping sensitive data within local borders. Edge computing enables localized processing, reducing reliance on external data centers while improving security and regulatory control.

In parallel, Saudi Arabia’s expanding cloud infrastructure, supported by global players and local providers, creates a strong foundation for edge-cloud hybrid systems. Rather than choosing between the cloud and the edge, the Kingdom is increasingly building an integrated ecosystem that uses both.

Key Use Cases Across Industries

The real impact of edge computing becomes clear when looking at how it is being applied across industries in Saudi Arabia. In the energy sector, particularly in large-scale oil and gas operations, vast volumes of operational data are generated across upstream and downstream systems. Edge computing architectures can enable faster monitoring of equipment, predictive maintenance, and real-time anomaly detection by processing data closer to the source rather than relying solely on centralized systems. This approach helps improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime across critical energy infrastructure.

In smart cities and giga-projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea developments, edge computing plays a foundational role. Autonomous transport systems, smart grids, surveillance networks, and environmental sensors all rely on instant data processing. Without edge infrastructure, the responsiveness required for these environments would not be achievable.

Healthcare is another area seeing rapid transformation. Real-time diagnostics, connected medical devices, and remote patient monitoring systems require instant data interpretation. Edge computing allows hospitals and healthcare providers to process patient data locally, reducing delays that could affect critical decisions.

In logistics and retail, edge computing supports automation in warehouses, real-time inventory tracking, and smarter supply chain management. Delivery fleets, for example, can benefit from instant route optimization based on live traffic and operational data.

The gaming and entertainment industry is also becoming a major beneficiary. Cloud gaming, augmented reality, and immersive digital experiences require ultra-low latency. Edge nodes placed closer to users significantly improve performance, enabling smoother gameplay and more responsive digital environments.

The Emerging Edge Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

As demand grows, a new ecosystem of infrastructure and technology providers is beginning to take shape in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, supporting the shift toward distributed and edge-enabled computing.

Local players are laying much of the groundwork. Edarat Group is one example, offering data center engineering, cloud services, and edge AI capabilities, while also partnering with global firms to deploy modular infrastructure closer to where data is generated. This positions it as part of the emerging layer, enabling more distributed computing models.

Another company contributing to this foundation is Ezditek, which is investing in large-scale data center capacity and digital infrastructure, including projects linked to NEOM. While not exclusively focused on edge computing, such investments are essential in building the physical backbone that edge architectures depend on.

On the global side, specialized technology firms are also entering the Saudi market. EdgeCortix, for instance, is expanding into the Kingdom through the National Semiconductor Hub, bringing energy-efficient AI accelerator technologies designed specifically for edge environments. This reflects a broader industry shift toward embedding AI processing directly into devices and localized nodes, rather than relying solely on centralized cloud infrastructure.

Together, these companies represent an early-stage but rapidly evolving ecosystem that combines infrastructure providers, AI hardware innovators, and distributed computing platforms.

Challenges Slowing Adoption

Despite strong momentum, edge computing adoption in Saudi Arabia still faces several challenges.

One of the most significant is infrastructure cost. Deploying distributed edge nodes across a large geography requires substantial investment in hardware, connectivity, and maintenance. Unlike centralized cloud models, edge systems are physically dispersed, making them more complex to scale.

Another challenge is talent. Edge computing sits at the intersection of cloud engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The demand for professionals with cross-disciplinary expertise is growing faster than supply, creating a skills gap that needs to be addressed through education and training.

Integration is also a technical hurdle. Most enterprises in Saudi Arabia are already operating on cloud platforms. Integrating edge systems with existing cloud architectures requires careful design to ensure consistency, security, and data synchronization.

Finally, the market is still in its early stages. While interest is high, large-scale deployments are still emerging, meaning that best practices, standards, and regulatory frameworks are still evolving.

The Future ahead

The next phase of edge computing in Saudi Arabia will likely be defined by convergence.

Edge and artificial intelligence are becoming deeply interconnected. Instead of sending data to the cloud for AI processing, models are increasingly being deployed directly at the edge. This allows systems to make decisions in real time, from autonomous machines to smart infrastructure.

At the same time, the Kingdom is expected to see a rise in localized data infrastructure. More edge data centers, micro data centers, and distributed computing nodes will emerge closer to population centers and industrial zones.

This evolution positions Saudi Arabia as a potential regional edge computing hub, not just a consumer of global technology but a producer and exporter of advanced digital infrastructure capabilities.

Investor interest is also expected to increase as the ecosystem matures. As edge use cases become more visible and commercially viable, startups and venture capital activity in this space will likely accelerate.

Conclusion: Edge as Invisible Infrastructure

Edge computing will not be something most people see or interact with directly. It will not be a visible platform or a consumer-facing application. Instead, it will function as invisible infrastructure, powering the systems that define modern life.

From smart cities that respond instantly to environmental changes, to autonomous systems that make split-second decisions, to digital services that operate without delay, edge computing will sit quietly beneath it all.

In Saudi Arabia, this shift is particularly significant. As the Kingdom builds one of the world’s most ambitious digital transformation agendas, edge computing is becoming one of its most essential enabling layers.

It is not replacing the cloud. It is completing it.

Ghada Ismail

As artificial intelligence reshapes the cybersecurity landscape, organizations are facing a new generation of digital threats, many of which are powered by the same technologies designed to improve business operations. In response, cybersecurity providers are increasingly embedding AI into their defense systems while also developing tools to secure AI itself.

TrendAI is positioning itself at the center of this shift. Headquartered in Tokyo and operating globally, the company leverages artificial intelligence and decades of cybersecurity expertise to help enterprises, governments, and organizations secure their digital environments across cloud, networks, endpoints, and emerging AI systems.

In this interview, Mahmoud Safwat, Country Manager for Egypt at TrendAI, discusses how AI is transforming cybersecurity operations, why securing AI systems is becoming just as critical as using them, and how organizations can balance innovation with responsible and regulated AI deployment. He also shares his perspective on whether AI is a passing trend or a long-term technological shift that will redefine how businesses operate.

How is AI transforming your core business operations, products, or services?
As you can see, our company is called Trend AI now. Trend AI has been working in cybersecurity—we are a cybersecurity leader globally. We have been in the market for over 35 years now as a Japanese company.

As AI is transforming everything in our industry, it is essential for our business. In our solutions, we focus on the evolution of technologies driven by AI. Basically, we have two main things: AI for security and security for AI.

AI for security means we integrate AI into our cybersecurity solutions to enhance our ability to detect cyber threats, attacks, and the many new types of threats emerging today. Especially because attackers are using AI too—they are innovative in how they execute malicious attacks—so we must be prepared. We need intelligence and adaptability, and AI helps us integrate these capabilities across all layers: endpoints, user machines, networks, data centers, and the cloud. Every layer of the customer’s environment is secured, and AI is at the core of it.

On the other side, we ensure our solutions fit customer needs when they want to integrate AI in their business. When clients deploy AI to enhance operations, we secure it so they can use AI safely and smoothly. They don’t have to worry about the consequences of reckless AI usage. We adapt our solutions to protect their AI infrastructure and enable businesses to leverage AI confidently.

How does your company approach responsible and ethical AI deployment?
Cybersecurity is our bread and butter. That’s our first priority. We integrate AI in our security solutions and secure AI itself to ensure its ethical usage. For example, if a user in a company is using an AI tool, we make sure no confidential data leaks. We prevent malicious use and regulate AI so that all data remains safe.

All AI tools within a company are regulated. Users operate within safe limits, protecting both the business and its data. This ensures AI is used ethically and responsibly, aligning with company policies.

What problem are you solving today by using AI technologies in your company? What client pain points are you addressing?
Our main focus is securing customer data. The biggest pain point for clients today is the evolution of attacks, especially as attackers also use AI to innovate. We help clients feel secure and cope with this evolving threat landscape.

Our AI-integrated products detect, respond, remediate, and even protect against attacks. They include proactive security features—we don’t wait for an attack. We predict potential threats, assess asset vulnerabilities, identify attack paths, and act before attacks happen.

We aim to stay ahead of threats, regularly assess the current security posture, and provide recommendations to close any gaps. If an attack occurs, we are ready to handle it fully, using AI at the core of our solutions.

Is regulation slowing AI innovation or making it stronger?
I totally believe regulation makes it stronger. Using AI without guidance leads to consequences. Regulation sets boundaries, defines what’s right, and allows us to build solid foundations.

I like to compare it to driving a car: brakes may slow you down, but they make you safe. You can go faster when you’re confident in your brakes. Similarly, regulation helps us use AI safely and ultimately advance faster, avoiding potential obstacles and setbacks.

Do you think AI is just a hype that will cool down over time?
I don’t think so. AI is still in its early stages. Yes, it’s booming and growing fast, but we’ve seen similar trends with the internet and other transformative technologies—they became essential and remain so.

Do you believe AI is a replacement for human talent or an enhancement tool for productivity?

AI will continue enhancing businesses, operations, and daily life—personally and professionally. Will it replace humans? No. Humans must supervise AI. Talents are critical. People need to maintain knowledge and learn how to leverage AI to work smarter, not replace their jobs. AI will make work easier, smoother, and more efficient, but humans remain central. AI is here to enhance, not replace, human work. It’s a tool that makes life better, helps businesses thrive, and ensures we can respond to a fast-changing cybersecurity landscape safely.

Ghada Ismail

For decades, Saudi Arabia’s global energy identity has been closely tied to oil production. Yet in recent years, the Kingdom has begun positioning itself as a future leader in renewable energy, particularly solar power. With vast deserts, high sunlight exposure, and strong government backing, Saudi Arabia is rapidly building a solar ecosystem that combines large infrastructure projects with innovative startups developing technologies tailored for desert environments.

This shift is not simply environmental. It is deeply economic. As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy and reduce domestic reliance on hydrocarbons for electricity generation. Renewable energy now sits at the center of that transformation.

The Kingdom has set an ambitious target: generating 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, requiring around 130 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, most of which will come from solar power. 

To put that in perspective, Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy capacity was almost nonexistent a decade ago. Today, large-scale projects are already producing electricity while dozens more are under development. Solar technology is not only becoming a key energy source—it is emerging as a new sector for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Why Saudi Arabia Is Ideal for Solar Technology

Saudi Arabia possesses some of the strongest solar resources on Earth. Studies by the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy show that solar radiation across much of the Kingdom averages around 5.5 to 6.5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day, placing it among the most sun-rich regions globally. Research on solar resource mapping conducted by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology indicates that annual solar irradiation levels typically range between 2,100 and 2,400 kWh per square meter, giving the Kingdom a natural advantage: solar panels installed in Saudi Arabia can generate significantly more electricity than similar systems in many other countries.

These environmental conditions make solar energy economically attractive. Renewable energy tenders organized under the Kingdom’s procurement program, managed by the Saudi Power Procurement Company, have produced some of the lowest solar electricity prices ever recorded globally, with winning bids falling below $0.02 per kilowatt-hour in several competitive auction rounds, according to analyses by the World Bank and international solar market reports.

Yet the Saudi environment also presents unique technical challenges. Research from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology highlights how dust accumulation, extreme temperatures, and large-scale desert installations can significantly reduce photovoltaic efficiency. As a result, simply importing conventional solar technology is often not enough, creating demand for desert-adapted solar solutions and new technological innovation.

This is where Saudi energy tech startups and research institutions are stepping in, developing innovations designed specifically for desert climates.

Startups Tackling Solar’s Desert Challenges

One of the most prominent Saudi solar technology startups is NOMADD Desert Solar Solutions, a company originating from research conducted at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The acronym NOMADD stands for NO‑water Mechanical Automated Dusting Device — a solution developed in response to the specific challenges of cleaning solar panels in desert environments.

Dust accumulation is a major obstacle for solar farms in desert regions. Sand and fine particles settle on panels and block sunlight, reducing electricity output. According to NOMADD’s founder, daily dust soiling can cut production by around 0.5–1% per day, and after severe sandstorms, efficiency losses can reach as much as 60% if panels are not regularly cleaned.

Traditional cleaning systems often rely on large amounts of water, an impractical solution in water-scarce arid regions. NOMADD addressed this by developing autonomous robotic cleaning systems that remove dust from solar panels without water. These robots traverse solar arrays, gently brushing surfaces to maintain performance while minimizing maintenance costs and water use. 

This technology is particularly relevant as Saudi Arabia deploys massive solar farms across desert landscapes, including those planned for megaprojects such as NEOM, where maintaining high output amid harsh conditions is essential for renewable energy targets. 

Mirai Solar and the Rise of Agrivoltaics

Another emerging Saudi startup pushing solar innovation forward is Mirai Solar, which is developing flexible and transparent solar technologies designed for agriculture and greenhouse applications.

Unlike traditional solar panels that completely block sunlight, Mirai Solar’s photovoltaic modules allow some light to pass through while converting part of it into electricity. This technology enables solar panels to function as shading systems for greenhouses.

In hot climates like Saudi Arabia’s, excessive sunlight can stress crops and increase cooling costs in agricultural environments. By integrating solar shading structures with energy generation, Mirai Solar’s systems simultaneously produce electricity while creating a more controlled environment for agriculture.

This approach belongs to a growing field known as ‘agrivoltaics’, which combines agriculture and solar power generation on the same land. In regions where water and arable land are limited, such hybrid systems could help improve both energy and food sustainability.

Solar Windows and Energy-Producing Buildings

Another innovative Saudi climate tech company working on solar energy solutions is Iyris, a startup developing transparent photovoltaic materials designed for building integration.

The company’s technology focuses on glass coatings that capture infrared light while allowing visible light to pass through. This means windows can generate electricity while still functioning as normal building glass.

Beyond electricity production, this technology can significantly reduce heat entering buildings. In Saudi Arabia, where air-conditioning accounts for a large share of electricity consumption, reducing solar heat gain could dramatically lower energy demand.

If deployed at scale, energy-generating glass could transform urban architecture, allowing buildings to function as distributed power generators rather than passive energy consumers.

Research Institutions Driving Solar Innovation

Many Saudi solar startups originate from academic research institutions rather than traditional venture capital ecosystems.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has emerged as one of the region’s most important hubs for renewable energy research. The university hosts dedicated laboratories focused on photovoltaics, energy materials, and solar system engineering.

Through commercialization programs and accelerators such as TAQADAM, research projects can evolve into venture-backed startups capable of scaling globally.

Companies like NOMADD and Iyris demonstrate how academic research can transition into real-world energy technologies that address regional environmental challenges.

The Solar Infrastructure Boom

Alongside startup innovation, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in utility‑scale solar infrastructure as part of its renewable energy transition under Vision 2030. One of the Kingdom’s flagship projects is the Sudair Solar PV Project, a 1.5‑gigawatt solar installation in Sudair Industrial City,  one of the largest single‑site solar plants in the country and among the largest globally at this scale.

Another massive development is the Al Shuaibah solar project, planned to reach around 2.6 gigawatts of installed capacity, making it one of the region’s largest solar power projects and a major component of the National Renewable Energy Program.

The Kingdom’s solar market is also expanding rapidly in economic terms. According to industry research by IMARC Group, the Saudi solar energy market was valued at about $8.3 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow to around $145 billion by 2034, driven by continued deployments and growth in solar technologies and infrastructure.

These large‑scale projects provide the infrastructure backbone for the renewable energy transition, while startups and technology companies help build the innovation layer that makes solar systems more efficient, durable, and scalable.

A New Energy Technology Ecosystem

Traditionally, energy industries have been dominated by massive corporations and government-backed utilities. Solar technology is changing that dynamic.

Because solar power involves numerous technological components—from materials science and robotics to software and energy storage—it creates opportunities for smaller companies to develop specialized solutions.

Saudi startups are increasingly focusing on technologies such as solar panel maintenance automation, advanced photovoltaic materials, smart energy monitoring systems, and building-integrated solar technology.

Rather than competing with utility-scale energy companies, these startups operate within the broader energy ecosystem, developing the tools and infrastructure that allow solar energy systems to operate more efficiently.

Challenges for Solar Startups

Despite strong government support, building energy technology companies remains challenging.

Solar hardware development often requires long research cycles and expensive testing environments. Scaling technologies from laboratory prototypes to industrial-scale deployment can take years.

Regulatory requirements for energy infrastructure can also slow commercialization. Solar technologies must comply with grid standards, safety regulations, and large-scale engineering requirements.

Yet Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in renewable energy may gradually reduce these barriers. As solar deployment accelerates, demand for supporting technologies will likely increase.

The Future of Solar Tech in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s solar ambitions extend far beyond generating electricity. In the coming decades, solar technologies could power smart cities, enable energy-positive buildings, support sustainable agriculture, and drive green hydrogen production.

The Kingdom’s natural solar resources, combined with strong government backing and emerging startup innovation, create the conditions for a new energy technology sector to emerge.

For a country historically defined by oil, the next chapter of its energy story may be written under the desert sun.

Ghada Ismail

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes business operations across industries, companies are increasingly exploring how AI agents, enterprise solutions, and localized language models can transform decision-making and efficiency.

In this interview, Anas Elkhatib, Co-Founder and CTO of THAKAA AI Decision Support System, discusses how AI is redefining enterprise operations, the rise of agentic AI, and why Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key hub for artificial intelligence innovation.

How is AI transforming your core business operations, products, or services?

AI is truly the revolution of this era. One of the clearest ways we see its impact is in how it improves efficiency and return on investment across business operations.

For example, processes such as generating reports used to take weeks. Companies would need to gather data from multiple sources, organize it, and analyze it before producing meaningful insights. With AI solutions like the ones we provide at THAKAA AI Decision Support System, this entire process can now be completed in seconds.

Instead of manually compiling information, a user can interact directly with an AI agent. You can even have a phone call or a video call with the AI. During the interaction, the AI can present dashboards, answer questions in real time, and provide insights or recommendations.

It can also extract market data and compare a company’s performance with broader industry benchmarks within seconds. In practical terms, AI allows organizations to transform decision-making cycles from weeks into seconds while saving significant time and effort.

What recent AI innovations are you most excited about?

The speed of innovation in AI is remarkable—every day, there seems to be something new. Chatbots were the earliest and simplest stage of AI interaction, but today, the most exciting development is the concept of Agentic AI.

Agentic AI involves multiple AI agents with specialized knowledge communicating with one another. It works almost like a virtual team.

For instance, in our demonstrations we present what we call a virtual CXO team. Under each executive role—such as a virtual CFO—you can have supporting functions like financial planning and analysis or cost control. These AI agents communicate with each other. If one agent receives a question it cannot answer, it can consult another agent, such as a CHRO or CFO agent, to provide the necessary information.

In this way, AI agents collaborate internally to deliver more comprehensive responses and insights.

Does that mean AI will eventually replace human workers?

AI may replace certain roles, but it is important to emphasize the concept of human-in-the-loop.

Every recommendation produced by AI should be supervised by humans. In our systems, we do not allow AI to act independently. Instead, we control issues such as hallucination through enterprise-level solutions that ensure the AI only responds using trusted data.

Rather than relying on public information, the generative AI model is trained on the organization’s own internal data. This makes the system more reliable and secure.

At the same time, it is realistic to say that some jobs may change as AI becomes more widespread. However, new opportunities will also emerge. AI can increase productivity and create new economic activity, which ultimately leads to new roles and industries.

The key for individuals is to continue developing their skills and adapting to new technologies.

Are there any collaborations or partnerships your company is building in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, and we actually consider all of our customers in Saudi Arabia to be partners.

At THAKAA AI Decision Support System, we work with several public-sector entities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, and the Saudi Data and AI Authority. On the commercial side, we collaborate with organizations such as Jabal Omar in Makkah and other private-sector clients.

Our approach is based on knowledge exchange. When we implement our solutions, we share our technical expertise and lessons learned from previous projects. In return, our customers share their knowledge about their own industries and operational needs.

Because of this exchange of expertise, every client becomes a strategic partner that contributes to improving the overall solution.

Which sectors in Saudi Arabia are most ready for AI transformation?

Saudi Arabia is generally a very dynamic and rapidly developing market for AI adoption. However, if we look at industries that are particularly ready for large-scale implementation, I would highlight oil and gas and banking.

Enterprise AI solutions can require significant investment. Industries with strong financial resources are therefore often the earliest adopters. Oil and gas companies and financial institutions have the capacity to absorb these costs and implement AI at scale.

As technology becomes more accessible, we expect adoption to expand across many other sectors as well.

How does THAKAA approach responsible and ethical AI deployment?

Responsible AI is a key priority for us. From the beginning, our solutions have been designed with strong privacy and security frameworks.

Our platform is built as an enterprise solution rather than a consumer AI tool. This means that protecting company data is central to the system architecture.

For example, we apply several techniques to control AI hallucination, including advanced prompting and retrieval-augmented generation methods. We also implement strict security protocols when dealing with personally identifiable information (PII).

Sensitive information—such as employee names or contact details—is encrypted and masked to ensure it cannot be leaked or misused.

Additionally, we comply with regulatory frameworks issued by authorities such as the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and the National Cybersecurity Authority. In some cases, the system is deployed on-premises to ensure that all sensitive data remains fully secure within the organization.

Do your AI solutions support Arabic, including Saudi dialects?

Yes, and that is one of the key differentiators of our platform.

THAKAA was developed with Arabic language capabilities from the beginning. The system can communicate naturally in Arabic, including the Saudi dialect.

For example, we use the technology in call center environments. In many cases, people speaking with the AI cannot easily distinguish whether they are interacting with a human agent or an AI system.

The interaction feels very natural, which demonstrates how far conversational AI technology has evolved.

How do you see AI shaping the broader business landscape in Saudi Arabia?

AI is already becoming a central part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic vision.

The Kingdom is forming strategic partnerships with global technology companies to build advanced data centers and GPU infrastructure. These investments will support the development and deployment of large language models.

If LLMs are hosted locally in Saudi Arabia, government institutions, banks, and other organizations will be able to adopt AI technologies more easily and securely.

From my perspective, the AI ecosystem can be divided into three categories. The first includes companies that focus on hardware infrastructure. The second includes companies developing large language models. The third includes companies building practical AI applications and solutions—like what we do at THAKAA.

Saudi Arabia is supporting all three layers of this ecosystem. The country is investing in infrastructure, supporting LLM development, and encouraging the growth of AI startups.

Startups are particularly important because they form the backbone of any AI economy. When governments create supportive regulations and provide resources for startups, the long-term economic impact can be significant.

Ghada Ismail

Saudi Arabia is quietly entering a new demographic chapter. While the Kingdom remains widely known for its youthful majority—with more than 70 % of citizens under the age of 35—another segment of the population is steadily expanding: older adults. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), about 1.7 million people aged 60 and above now live in the Kingdom, representing roughly 4.8 % of the total population in 2025. 

This shift is subtle compared with global aging trends but significant enough to influence how healthcare, social services, and digital technologies are designed and delivered. The World Health Organization and Saudi health authorities define the elderly as individuals aged 60 years or above, a demographic that is expected to grow in the decades ahead amid rising life expectancy and improvements in healthcare access. 

Across homes, clinics, and digital platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to play a meaningful role in enhancing seniors’ quality of life, helping them remain independent, connected, safe, and engaged in ways that align with Saudi cultural values and Vision 2030 priorities.

Aging and Its Challenges

Aging often brings layered challenges. Chronic disease management, reduced mobility, memory changes, and social isolation can gradually erode independence. Traditional care systems, heavily reliant on family or institutional support, are increasingly stretched amid smaller household sizes and urban lifestyle shifts. In Saudi Arabia, these concerns are compounded by a healthcare environment preparing for the future dynamics of a longevity economy.

Yet many older Saudis are actively engaged both socially and digitally. GASTAT’s 2025 Elderly Statistics Bulletin shows that over 60 % of elderly Saudis participate actively in social events, with 63.4 % of men and 57.3 % of women reporting regular activity. Additionally, high rates of digital engagement—where about 87 % of elderly men and 78 % of elderly women use smartphones or computers—reflect a population already comfortable with basic technology. 

Wearables: Personalized, Continuous Support

One of the most visible intersections of AI and elder care is through wearables, smart devices capable of continuous monitoring and predictive analysis. These devices use machine learning to track vital signs such as heart rate, movement, sleep patterns, and irregular activity. The real value lies in algorithms that can detect deviations from personal norms and alert caregivers or family members before small issues become emergencies.

A notable Saudi startup leading innovation in this space is Me’kaaz, which has developed AI-enabled wearable solutions tailored to senior care. Rather than serving merely as emergency alerts, Me’kaaz’s technology focuses on early detection and prevention. It captures subtle changes in activity or routines that may signal emerging health problems—whether related to mobility, cardiovascular health, or daily function—helping families and clinicians intervene proactively.

Importantly, these technologies are linguistically and culturally localized for Saudi users. AI interfaces support the Arabic language and sensory cues that feel natural and respectful, ensuring seniors can interact comfortably with devices. This cultural resonance is crucial in a society that emphasizes family involvement and dignity in elder care.

AI Companions and Social Connectivity

Physical health is part of the picture, but emotional well-being is equally important. Loneliness and social isolation have been linked globally to depression and cognitive decline, particularly among seniors living alone or with limited mobility.

AI-powered digital companions are entering this space as well. These systems combine conversational capability with reminders, mental exercises, and engagement tools designed to keep elderly users mentally stimulated and socially connected. Me’kaaz and other innovators are exploring how these companions can deliver culturally relevant content, including religious and community-oriented interactions, enriching everyday life for seniors who may spend long hours alone.

Such AI companions are not a replacement for human interaction, but a supplemental presence, especially valuable for those whose families live at a distance or have demanding work schedules.

Training for an AI-Enabled Life

Technology adoption does not begin with advanced gadgets; it begins with confidence. Recognizing this, national and private initiatives in Saudi Arabia are increasingly focusing on digital literacy for older adults.

A notable example is the collaboration between Huawei Technologies and stc Group, which launched a senior-focused training program under Huawei’s global “Education for All” initiative. The program’s SmartTruck serves as a mobile digital classroom, traveling across regions of the Kingdom to deliver free, hands-on training for people aged 50 and above.

These workshops cover practical digital skills: using smartphones, accessing online services, understanding digital safety and fraud protection, and navigating AI-enabled tools. In its early phase, the initiative trained more than 2,000 seniors through over 150 workshops, underscoring strong enthusiasm among older adults for digital skill-building when instruction is accessible and age-appropriate.

While these sessions don’t teach deep AI theory, they build foundational confidence. For seniors, learning to interact safely with digital systems reduces anxiety, increases participation, and lays the groundwork for more sophisticated AI engagement, whether through telemedicine, smart wearables, or digital communities.

AI in Healthcare Systems

AI’s role is expanding beyond the home into broader healthcare delivery. Hospitals and clinics across the Kingdom are using AI tools for diagnostics, predictive analytics, and remote monitoring—beneficial for senior patients managing chronic conditions.

AI can help clinicians identify high-risk patients sooner, personalize treatment plans, and reduce unnecessary hospital visits. For seniors, this means more tailored care with less physical strain, particularly for those managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular issues.

Government entities such as the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority are central in shaping ethical AI deployment across sectors, including healthcare. Professional bodies like the Saudi Association for AI and Healthcare are also contributing research and education frameworks to align AI adoption with clinical standards and ethical guidelines.

Cultural and Ethical Dimensions

Despite the promise, challenges persist. Not all seniors have equal access to smartphones, high-speed internet, or ongoing support, particularly in rural areas. Digital inequality remains a real barrier to the full potential of AI adoption.

Privacy concerns also loom large. AI elder-care systems rely on sensitive personal data—from biometric readings to behavior patterns—making data protection and transparency essential. Ensuring that seniors understand how their data is used and protected is particularly important in a society where privacy and family reputation are highly valued.

Cultural compatibility remains key as well. AI systems must respect Saudi social norms, language nuances, and religious practices. Solutions that feel foreign or disconnected from daily life are unlikely to gain traction, regardless of their technical sophistication.

Looking Ahead

Saudi Arabia’s broader AI ecosystem—strengthened by national strategic investments, research institutes, and innovation incentives—provides fertile ground for senior-focused technologies. Future developments are likely to include more advanced predictive care models, AI-assisted cognitive health tools, and deeper integration between home-based systems and national healthcare platforms.

Demographic data indicate that the proportion of older adults in Saudi Arabia is modest but growing. According to GASTAT’s 2025 Elderly Statistics Bulletin, people aged 60 and above currently represent about 4.8 % of the population, with men slightly outnumbering women in this age group. While still a small share, demographic trends suggest this segment will expand in the coming decades as life expectancy rises and fertility rates decline, reflecting broader global aging patterns. This gradual increase highlights the need for proactive planning, innovative care models, and policies that embrace technology while maintaining human dignity and social inclusion.

Embracing Aging with Intelligence

AI for senior citizens in Saudi Arabia is no longer a theoretical concept; it is taking shape now through wearable devices, digital engagement programs, and healthcare innovations that respect cultural values. These technologies complement family care, empower seniors to stay connected, and enhance their ability to live independent, fulfilled lives longer.

By investing in localized tech solutions, digital literacy training, and ethical AI frameworks, Saudi Arabia is fostering an environment where aging with intelligence and intention is possible. For the Kingdom’s older adults, this means accessing tools that enrich daily life—while retaining the autonomy, dignity, and social bonds that define Saudi culture.

Ghada Ismail

Around the world, technology has become a catalyst for inclusion, transforming how people with disabilities engage with the economy, access education, and participate fully in society. From AI-powered communication tools to digital accessibility platforms and supported employment systems, innovation continues to dismantle barriers that once constrained opportunity.

In Saudi Arabia, this global wave of accessibility tech is gaining unique momentum. With Vision 2030 emphasizing social inclusion, human empowerment, and digital transformation, there’s a growing recognition that technology must work for all citizens, including the millions who live with disabilities. What was once mainly the responsibility of public institutions and NGOs is now increasingly being advanced by startups and mission-driven organizations harnessing technological solutions to improve the quality of life and economic participation for people with disabilities.

This article examines the evolving Saudi accessibility tech landscape, highlighting key innovations, market dynamics, real-world examples, regulatory and social context, and the road ahead.

Market Overview: Accessibility Innovation in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s accessibility ecosystem still sits at an early but accelerating stage. Traditional assistive solutions—like mobility aids and localized special education tools—are now converging with digital services, AI-driven platforms, and inclusion-focused solutions designed for broad scalability.

Across the spectrum:

• Digital accessibility is becoming a priority as more services move online.
• Assistive technology empowerment is expanding beyond hardware into software and training.
• Employment and skills programs are pairing digital tools with economic integration.

Despite this progress, challenges persist. These include limited local datasets for Arabic-native accessibility AI models, a scarcity of venture funding specifically earmarked for assistive technology, and ongoing gaps in awareness among private sector adopters. Yet Saudi Arabia’s digital-first trajectory, coupled with supportive government frameworks, creates fertile ground for further innovation.

Startup and Organization Profiles: Leaders in Accessibility

Advanced Access 

Advanced Access is a Saudi company dedicated to making digital platforms—websites, apps, and services—fully inclusive and usable by people of all abilities. Its core offering is digital accessibility auditing and consulting, combining automated and manual testing to identify barriers and guide organizations toward international accessibility standards. Beyond compliance, Advanced Access supports strategy development, training, and continuous improvement to ensure digital services are equitably accessible to users with visual, motor, cognitive, or sensory impairments. 

Importantly, Advanced Access aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of building a truly inclusive national digital ecosystem, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in digital accessibility. 

Tawasal Association for Assistive Technologies 

Tawasal is a pioneering association in Saudi Arabia focused on harnessing modern devices and software to improve everyday life for people with disabilities. Licensed by the National Center the Non-Profit Sector, the organization provides assistive devices, technology project support, and consultation tailored to individual needs and functional impairments. 

Rather than functioning solely as a product vendor, Tawasal acts as an integrator, connecting users with adaptive technologies (like communication devices or smart mobility aids), offering training, and facilitating community awareness about tech adoption. Its mission, “Better Technology, Easier Life,” reflects a holistic approach where technology meets real-world needs, especially among individuals who may struggle to access mainstream solutions otherwise.

Qaderoon Foundation 

While Qaderoon is a nonprofit rather than a classic tech startup, it plays a crucial role in the accessibility ecosystem by marrying digital inclusion with workforce integration. Based in Jeddah, Qaderoon focuses on rehabilitation, training, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, equipping them with the skills and tools necessary to thrive in the modern job market. 

Its services include job placement portals, professional training programs, and workplace readiness initiatives that emphasize not just employment but sustained participation and independence. Qaderoon acts as a bridge between talent and opportunity, ensuring that accessibility tech and inclusive employment go hand in hand. 

Technological Innovations in Accessibility

Across these initiatives, specific technological threads are emerging:

• Accessibility Standards and Digital Audits: Tools and processes that evaluate and fix digital barriers, ensuring compliance with accessibility guidelines and making online content usable for screen readers and adaptive interfaces.
• Assistive Devices and Software: Adaptive technologies—from communication aids to mobility supports—are central to Tawasal’s mission, enabling users to overcome physical or functional barriers in daily life. 
• Web and App Usability Enhancements: Modern UX design infused with accessibility considerations (contrast modes, keyboard navigation, alternative text protocols) helps digital services become universally accessible. 
• Employment Tech Platforms: Digital recruitment and training systems support economic inclusion, bridging gaps between talent and opportunity for people with disabilities. This model is central to Qaderoon’s operations. 

Although AI-specific tools for people with disabilities (e.g., sign language recognition or predictive text for communication disorders) are not yet prominently developed by these organizations, the foundation they are building—especially in accessible digital frameworks—sets the groundwork for future AI-driven solutions.

Social and Regulatory Environment

Saudi Arabia’s regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. National strategies and quality-of-life programs emphasize inclusion, accessibility, and technology empowerment. Digital platforms used by the government are increasingly expected to meet accessibility standards, creating demand for services like those offered by Advanced Access.

Meanwhile, nonprofits like Tawasal and Qaderoon benefit from government recognition and licensing, an indicator of institutional support for inclusive initiatives.

Social attitudes toward disability are also shifting. Where access was once framed primarily as a welfare issue, it is now increasingly positioned as a matter of civil inclusion and economic participation. This cultural change—amplified by awareness campaigns and visibility of people with disabilities in public life—creates a more fertile environment for accessibility innovation.

Future Outlook: Growth Ahead

Looking forward, Saudi Arabia’s accessibility tech sector is poised for expansion in several key directions:

• AI-Driven Accessibility Tools: As data ecosystems grow, there’s potential for AI models tailored to assistive use cases (e.g., Arabic-language speech recognition or predictive text for alternative communication).
• Accessible Government Services: With digital transformation underway across the public sector, accessibility compliance could become a basic requirement, boosting demand for auditing and consulting services.
• Inclusive Employment Platforms: Digital platforms linking people with disabilities to jobs—and supporting employers in creating accessible work environments—could proliferate alongside Saudi labor reforms.
• Cross-Sector Innovation: Integrations between healthtech, smart mobility, and digital inclusion promise hybrid solutions that enhance independent living.

To sustain this momentum, collaboration will be key. Startups, nonprofits, government agencies, tech giants, and investors must work together—sharing data, co-developing solutions, and scaling what works.

Conclusion

Technology’s potential to empower people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia is no longer theoretical; it is tangible, actionable, and growing. Organizations like Advanced Access, Tawasal, and Qaderoon demonstrate how digital inclusion can intersect with real-world impact, from accessible websites to assistive technologies and inclusive employment.

By continuing to invest in technology built with and for people with disabilities, Saudi Arabia can not only close persistent gaps in accessibility but also unlock new avenues for dignity, independence, and participation for all.

Noha Gad

In an era where technological disruption accelerates at remarkable speeds, businesses worldwide are at a crossroads: adapt or fail. Artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a transformative force reshaping the future of industries, economies, and daily operations.

AI-first business models redefine the way companies operate, compete, and scale by embedding AI at the core of their DNA rather than as a helping tool. These models treat AI as the foundational engine driving innovation, decision-making, and customer value in key sectors such as fintech and startups. Traditional businesses often integrate AI into outdated processes, yielding marginal gains, while AI-first pioneers redesign everything around intelligent systems for exponential advantages. This shift enables hyper-personalization, predictive analytics, and autonomous operations that thrive on data abundance.

How do AI-first business models work?

AI-first business models embed AI as the core engine for operations, decision-making, and growth, enabling radical automation, hyper-personalization, real-time insights, and scalable efficiency through autonomous agents and data-driven feedback loops, fundamentally redesigning organizational structures and workflows around intelligent systems rather than just adding AI as a feature. 

Unlike traditional AI-enhanced approaches, these models reimagine processes from the ground up, prioritizing data flows, automation, and machine learning as core infrastructure to ensure seamless scalability and adaptability in fast-evolving markets. 

Compared to AI-augmented models, AI-first models make intelligence proactive and pervasive, influencing every layer from product development to customer engagement. These approaches treat data as the primary asset for real-time analytics and predictive capabilities, fostering continuous learning loops without heavy human intervention.

Main features 

AI-first business models are defined by characteristics that prioritize intelligence as the central pillar, enabling unprecedented efficiency, adaptability, and value creation across operations. Key features include:

• Automation. AI handles end-to-end workflows autonomously, from transaction processing to compliance checks, reducing human involvement in major processes. For instance, in wealth management, AI-first platforms dynamically rebalance portfolios based on real-time market data and user life events.
• Data-based decisions. Real-time analytics from vast datasets power predictive insights, replacing intuition with probability-based forecasting for agile market responses.
• Hyper-personalization. AI-first models can help companies and startups provide tailored experiences by analyzing individual behaviors, preferences, and contexts to anticipate needs proactively. For example, banking applications deploy conversational AI agents to answer queries and execute actions, such as freezing cards or updating addresses via biometrics, enhancing user trust and retention.
• Scalable infrastructure: Cloud-native AI supports rapid growth and continuous model refinement.

How AI-first models could support startups’ businesses

Along with enhancing decision-making processes and providing hyper-personalized products, AI-first models help startups enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks, such as customer support via chatbots or inventory optimization. AI-first startups command investor attention due to their proven scalability, data moats, and rapid revenue trajectories. This advantage arises from AI's ability to demonstrate measurable revenue on investment (ROI) quickly, such as predictive models forecasting user acquisition costs.

For product innovation, accelerated prototyping via AI tools eliminates time-to-market from months to weeks and allows startups to test minimum viable products (MVPs) with real user data. AI-first models can also contribute to talent and team optimization since AI handles hiring screening, skill matching, and performance analytics.

AI-first startups can improve their risk mitigation strategies by utilizing AI to forecast market risks, regulatory hurdles, or supply disruptions early.

In summary, the rise of AI-first business models represents a fundamental architectural shift, not a mere technological upgrade. It transforms AI from a tool that supports business into the foundational engine that defines it. For startups and established companies alike, this approach unlocks exponential advantages through radical automation, hyper-personalization, and predictive, data-driven decision-making. 

Noha Gad

The entrepreneurship ecosystem is undergoing a profound transformation today, driven by the fast-evolving technological landscape. Traditionally, startups have been launched by visionary individuals or teams sharing complementary skills and a common goal. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the future of business, introducing a new paradigm where AI can serve as a full-fledged co-founder alongside human entrepreneurs.

In 2025, several startups are naming AI tools, like GPT-4, Claude, and open-source large language models (LLMs), as co-founders, not just assistants. In many cases, these AI systems ideate, write code, draft pitch decks, analyze markets, and even engage with customers.

The integration of AI as a co-founder democratizes entrepreneurship by leveling the playing field, especially for solo founders or resource-constrained teams. It empowers innovators to accelerate product development, optimize business strategies, and reduce time-to-market, all while fostering smarter, data-driven growth. 

What is an AI co-founder?

An AI co-founder is not a robot CEO. It is typically an advanced AI system, often based on LLMs or custom-trained agents, that supports or drives major startup functions from day one. Unlike human co-founders, AI systems operate tirelessly without requiring salaries, breaks, or rest. They harness vast data, predictive analytics, and machine learning to offer real-time insights, automate complex tasks, and support critical decision-making. This transformative concept is quickly moving from futuristic speculation to practical reality, fundamentally redefining how startups are conceived, launched, and scaled.

What makes AI co-founders different from traditional AI tools is their ability to handle up to 80% of early-stage R&D work that usually takes a lot of time and resources from founders. They keep learning and adapting to a startup's specific needs, becoming more efficient and customized over time. Several factors set AI co-founders apart from regular AI assistants. These include:

• Strategic input: AI co-founders are not just implementing tasks; they propose product directions or market pivots.
• Continuous learning: they adapt to the startup’s data, goals, and team behavior.
• High Autonomy: AI co-founders operate without constant human oversight, having access to APIs, CRMs, design suites, code repositories, and more.

The impact of AI co-founders on the entrepreneurship ecosystem

AI co-founders play a pivotal role in transforming the startup landscape into a more inclusive, efficient environment where human creativity pairs with relentless computational power to drive sustainable growth and broader economic innovation. They significantly contribute to:

     -Democratizing access to entrepreneurship. They lower barriers for solo founders and underrepresented groups, providing expert-level support without the need for large teams or significant funding.

     -Accelerating innovation cycles. AI co-founders enable rapid execution of market research, product roadmaps, and strategy development, reducing weeks of work into minutes and accelerating innovation cycles across industries.

     -Enhancing cost efficiency. These founders foster cost efficiency and lean operations, as they automate repetitive tasks, allowing startups to iterate faster, manage risks through data-driven insights, and achieve quicker time-to-market.

Will AI replace human founders?

AI co-founders do not replace human creativity and leadership; instead, they complement them by automating repetitive and resource-intensive tasks. This partnership enables founders to focus on innovation, strategy, and cultivating the company’s culture. Additionally, AI co-founders complement human strengths through:

    -Automating administrative tasks, data analysis, and routine operations, allowing human founders to prioritize high-level strategy, creativity, and vision.

    -Handling operations without burnout, enabling humans to provide empathy, relationship-building, and ethical judgment, ultimately creating a symbiotic dynamic that enhances innovation and decision-making.

    -Enabling solo founders to achieve what once required full teams, but leadership and cultural nuance remain distinctly human.

    -Shifting hiring toward specialized roles by filling skill gaps, with human-AI collaboration yielding higher-quality solutions.

Finally, blending human ingenuity with machine intelligence can create more accessible, efficient, and innovative ecosystems. From democratizing startup formation and accelerating market entry to fostering symbiotic human-AI teams, these virtual partners empower founders to compete globally without traditional barriers. Entrepreneurs who embrace this collaboration will lead sustainable growth, navigating challenges like regulation and ethics to unlock unprecedented economic value.

Mohamed Ramzy

Amid the rapid digital transformation sweeping across the food and beverage sector (F&B), technology companies play a vital role in supporting entrepreneurs and enhancing operational efficiency.

Among the most prominent of these companies is Foodics, a key player in the markets where it operates. The company maintains direct offices in five main markets—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, and Jordan, while its advanced technological solutions reach over 30 countries worldwide.

Through its integrated restaurant and café management systems, Foodics has significantly contributed to improving efficiency, optimizing performance, and enabling restaurant owners to expand and grow their businesses.

In this interview, Bilal Zahran, Regional General Manager of Foodics for Egypt and the UAE, speaks with Sharikat Mubasher about the company’s expansion plans in Egypt and across the region, explaining how Foodics’ mission goes beyond providing digital solutions to focus on empowering entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to manage their operations more efficiently.

What are the main services and solutions you offer to entrepreneurs and startups in the restaurant sector?

The company provides numerous solutions and products that serve startups in the restaurant and café industry and facilitate their business operations.

We offer an integrated point-of-sale (POS) system specifically designed for restaurants, in addition to accounting applications and solutions tailored to their needs.

Recently, we launched the Foodics BI business intelligence tool, which represents a major leap in this field. It enables restaurant owners to analyze their data with greater insight, understand customer behavior, accurately track daily performance, and predict future trends. This translates into well-informed decisions that enhance operational efficiency and support long-term growth. Simply, this tool turns data into a true source of power for any business.

How do your solutions specifically empower small and medium enterprises?

We focus on simplifying operational processes for SME owners. Our solutions help them manage sales, inventory, and data effectively, reducing administrative burdens and opening doors for expansion.

We also provide customized training programs to ensure our tools are used in the simplest and most efficient way possible.

Today, more than 33,500 active restaurant branches worldwide use Foodics technologies as of the end of the first half of 2025, with the total value of transactions processed through the Foodics platform exceeding $6 billion.

What distinguishes Foodics’ solutions from others available in the market?

What sets us apart is that we do not merely provide technological tools; we deliver comprehensive and user-friendly solutions that address the diverse needs of restaurants and cafés, both large and small.

We focus especially on empowering small and medium enterprises with practical solutions that grant them a sustainable competitive advantage and help them manage their businesses with high efficiency.

You mentioned that technology is no longer an option but a necessity. How does Foodics translate this vision into tangible support for entrepreneurs?

We translate this vision by developing integrated solutions that cover all aspects of operational processes, while offering continuous support channels to help clients keep pace with rapid changes.

We do not merely offer a product, but we offer a strategic partnership that accompanies entrepreneurs on their journey of digital transformation and growth.

To what extent can artificial intelligence enhance the efficiency of entrepreneurs in this sector?

Artificial intelligence has become a fundamental component capable of improving the customer experience through smart recommendations, optimizing costs by managing resources more precisely, and forecasting consumption patterns to meet demand.

These capabilities empower entrepreneurs to make faster decisions and deliver more competitive and sustainable services.

What are Foodics’ expansion plans for the coming phase?

We are working to strengthen our presence in the Egyptian market strategically and thoughtfully, by launching advanced technological solutions that directly address the needs of the fast-growing restaurant and café sector.

Our efforts focus on offering more integrated products that help entrepreneurs manage sales, inventory, and customer experiences, while introducing business intelligence and advanced analytics tools.

For us, Egypt is not merely an important market; it is a central hub within our regional strategy.

How do you assess the Egyptian market’s response to Foodics’ solutions compared to other markets?

The response in Egypt has been exceptionally strong. We have witnessed great enthusiasm from entrepreneurs and restaurant owners to adopt our digital solutions.

The Egyptian market is characterized by digital readiness and high growth rates, along with a growing awareness of the importance of technology as a fundamental tool for continuity and expansion.

Compared with other markets, Egypt is more flexible and adaptive to new solutions, making it a promising and ideal market for expansion.

How do you view Egypt’s future position on the regional and global technology map?

Egypt possesses all the necessary ingredients to become a regional hub for technology and innovation, starting from its infrastructure, through its human capital, to its strategic geographic location.

If these assets are optimally utilized, the country can achieve a prominent global position in the near future.

When expanding regionally, what are the main challenges you face, and how do you overcome them?

The key challenges lie in the differences in digital infrastructure, regulations, and market needs, as what works effectively in one country may not be as suitable in another.

We overcome this by gaining deep local market insight, engaging directly with customers, and developing flexible, adaptable solutions.

We also build strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in each market, which helps us deliver practical, relevant solutions and enhances our ability to succeed and sustain growth.

How does Foodics balance meeting current market needs with shaping the future?

We follow a dual strategy: First, addressing daily market needs through practical and efficient solutions.
Second, continuously investing in innovation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to ensure our clients’ readiness for the future and their ability to compete in a rapidly changing environment.

In conclusion, Foodics believes that innovation and partnerships are the foundation for building a more efficient and sustainable future for the food and beverage sector, an approach that reinforces Egypt’s role as a regional hub for technology and innovation.

Translated by: Ghada Ismail

Manish Pant, Executive Vice President of International Operations at Schneider Electric

Manish Pant, Executive Vice President of International Operations at Schneider Electric, affirmed in exclusive statements to Sharikat Mubasher that the company’s global presence spans more than 100 countries and includes a workforce of approximately 150,000 employees. He stated that Schneider Electric’s mission is to create a positive impact by empowering individuals and organizations to achieve the optimum use of energy and resources, linking economic growth with sustainability.

Pant revealed that the company’s global revenues reached €19.3 billion during the first half of this year, adding that Schneider Electric allocates around 5% of its annual revenues to research and development to strengthen its innovation capabilities and ensure the sustainability of its solutions.

He emphasized that the Saudi market has been one of the company’s key strategic markets for over 44 years, noting that the Kingdom is taking confident strides toward a more sustainable future through resource diversification, accelerated digital transformation, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Pant highlighted that Saudi Arabia aims to generate 50% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, alongside major investments in carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency, afforestation, and smart cities — all of which are reshaping the Kingdom’s energy landscape to become more flexible and efficient.

Pant remarked that Schneider Electric is proud to be a strategic partner of the Kingdom on this journey, providing advanced digital services, AI-powered data centers, smart building systems, and climate-friendly industrial solutions that reduce emissions and enhance resource efficiency, enabling industries, cities, and households to achieve higher levels of sustainability.

He also revealed ambitious expansion plans for the company in Saudi Arabia, which currently serves more than 8,000 clients through a range of assets and industrial facilities. These include the Dammam factory spanning 15,000 square meters, a preparation facility in Dammam, the Riyadh factory covering 13,450 square meters, and another preparation facility in Riyadh. The company will also open a new factory at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), covering 20,000 square meters, scheduled for inauguration in the coming period to serve both Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.

Pant noted that the new factory has obtained the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, achieving a 34% reduction in carbon emissions and energy savings of up to 33%.

He further stated that Schneider Electric operates a 7,000-square-meter distribution center in Riyadh serving more than 200 local partners, as well as a research, development, and innovation center in Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) in collaboration with Aramco. The company also has four legal entities in the Kingdom, with a localization rate exceeding 40%, and a regional training academy for the Middle East and Africa based in Riyadh.

Pant added that Schneider Electric has invested more than €50 million in its expansion plans in Saudi Arabia over the past five years and currently employs 700 people in the Kingdom. He highlighted that eight new products have recently earned the “Made in Saudi” mark, bringing the total number of locally manufactured products to over 20, with plans to increase production lines to 32 by 2030. The company also aims to export up to 20% of local production to regional markets, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a central industrial hub.

Regarding the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit, held recently in Riyadh in its second edition, Pant said the event serves as a leading platform to showcase the latest solutions in electric mobility, resilient infrastructure, smart buildings, advanced industries, and water resources management. He noted that hosting the summit again in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s leadership in energy transition, digital innovation, and sustainable development.

Pant added that the summit highlights innovation and digitalization as key drivers of Saudi Arabia’s goals for economic diversification, industrial growth, and global competitiveness. He concluded by affirming that technology and innovation are two core pillars of Schneider Electric’s strategy in Saudi Arabia and globally. Integrating AI- and IoT-based digital solutions, he said, enables the Kingdom to build more efficient and sustainable systems across cities, industries, and homes alike. Pant noted that the company’s achievements in Saudi Arabia have strengthened its standing as one of the world’s most globally integrated yet locally rooted companies. Saudi experiences, he added, contribute to developing globally scalable solutions and position the Kingdom as a role model to follow for innovation and sustainability.