Investment pioneer Samer Choucair confirmed that human capability development is no longer a secondary developmental option, but has become the highest-value strategic asset in the Saudi economy under the umbrella of Vision 2030. He noted that true wealth in the modern economy is measured by a person’s ability to innovate, adapt, and lead in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Samer Choucair’s statements came on the sidelines of the Sports Investment Forum 2026 in Riyadh, where he stressed that infrastructure and financial capital alone are not enough in the age of emerging technologies. Instead, the real difference is made by individuals capable of employing technology and transforming it into productivity and sustainable growth.
Samer Choucair explained that investing in training and skill-building is no longer categorized under “operating costs,” but has become a fundamental element in the investment valuation equation for companies. He said: “Companies that focus on developing their cadres’ capabilities in data analysis and the use of artificial intelligence do not only gain a competitive advantage, but also become more attractive to investors in capital markets. Investing in digital and analytical skills improves productivity, reduces operational risks, and accelerates the pace of innovation.”
In the context of his analysis of investment opportunities related to national cadres, Samer Choucair praised the calls made by the forum to transform traditional folk games into digital products, considering it a strategic opportunity to link authentic heritage with advanced technologies.
He added: “Transforming folk heritage into digital experiences—whether electronic games or edutainment content—opens wide doors for Saudi youth in the digital entertainment and e-sports sectors. This builds an exportable economic identity and enhances the Kingdom’s regional competitiveness.”
The investment pioneer linked the economic prosperity witnessed by the Kingdom to investment in talent, noting that the growth of the Saudi sports economy—which reached a volume of approximately 32 billion riyals in 2025 alongside the increase in sports facilities—requires highly qualified human cadres in the fields of management, marketing, technology, and content creation.
Samer Choucair emphasized that “the smart investor in 2026 no longer only asks where the opportunity is, but asks about the human cadres capable of transforming this opportunity into sustainable value.” He stressed that companies that make continuous learning and AI readiness part of their business model are the most capable of adaptation and expansion.
Samer Choucair concluded his statements by reaffirming his firm conviction that the human being is the first and final investment asset, saying: “In the era of Vision 2030, natural resources alone no longer create wealth; true wealth is the human being who transforms vision into achievement, technology into value, and ambition into a thriving global market. Therefore, every riyal invested in building skills is an investment that multiplies the return on all other assets.”