RIYADH: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in Saudi Arabia has reached 45%, more than double the rate recorded in the previous year.
The fifth edition of the Saudi Internet Report, issued by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), showed the rapid growth of AI tools among internet users, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.
The report coincides with the Kingdom’s launch of the “Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026.”
تبنّي أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي في المملكة يقفز إلى 45.2% بأكثر من ضعف العام السابق.https://t.co/HUcpISF5Hk#واس pic.twitter.com/NVQvLQgE16
— واس العلمي (@SPA_sci) August 9, 2026
It highlighted significant differences in AI tool usage across demographic groups. Women accounted for 52.8% of users, compared with 39.4% of men.
The highest adoption rate was recorded among those aged 20–29 at 55.7%, followed by the 10–19 age group at 53.4%.
AI usage declined steadily with age, falling to 27.4% among people aged 50–59 and 14.8% among those aged 60–74.
الإناث في #السعودية يتفوقن على الذكور في استخدام أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي:
الإناث 52.8%.
الذكور 39.4%. pic.twitter.com/DCOjuXa5BG— علوم السعودية (@ulumsaudi) August 9, 2026
ChatGPT most-downloaded AI App in Saudi Arabia
ChatGPT topped the list of the most-downloaded AI applications in Saudi Arabia, followed by Google Gemini and DeepSeek. The list also featured the Saudi-developed HUMAIN platform.
The rising adoption of emerging technologies coincided with a narrowing digital divide among older people. Internet usage among those aged 60–74 increased from 88.9% in 2024 to 92.8% in 2025, representing a 3.9 percentage-point increase in a single year.
The rapid expansion of AI adoption, coupled with broader internet access, underscores the continued development of Saudi Arabia’s digital landscape.
The progress has been supported by government and regulatory efforts aimed at promoting best practices and keeping pace with global technological advancements.
Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in Digital Readiness Framework 2025
Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the Digital Readiness Framework 2025 issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), strengthening its position in the digital transformation journey regionally and globally, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Last month, the Kingdom’s Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) organised a forum on Thursday to introduce the National Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework, bringing together more than 150 experts from 45 public and private sector organisations as part of the Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026 initiative.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Unveils National AI Risk Management Framework
According to SDAIA, the framework is designed to provide a structured methodology for preparing institutions to address potential AI risks, enhance governance, improve regulatory compliance and build public trust in artificial intelligence applications.
The forum also highlighted AI risk management as a key element of the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. Discussions focused on best practices for identifying, assessing, mitigating and continuously monitoring risks associated with AI systems
