Investment leader Samer Choucair confirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has succeeded in securing a leading position within the global map of the AI services economy, noting that 2026 represents the most important station in transforming emerging technologies from auxiliary tools into fundamental pillars in the national economy’s operating model. Samer Choucair’s statements came in response to global discussions regarding the identity of the winners in the new tech services economy, which is valued at approximately 15 trillion dollars.
A Radical Shift in the Services Economy
Samer Choucair explained that the budgets of major global companies have witnessed a historical shift, as about 70% of them are being directed toward AI applications, noting that global warnings of increasing competition intensity require boldness in restructuring traditional models. Samer Choucair stated saying: “Artificial intelligence is no longer an additional option but has become the foundation of the new economy. Clinging to traditional models is no longer a safe bet; the future belongs to those who have the courage to change their operating model today to dominate the markets of tomorrow.”
Saudi Arabia 2026.. The Year of Artificial Intelligence
Investment leader Samer Choucair highlighted Saudi excellence in this sector, coinciding with the declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence” within the objectives of Vision 2030. Samer Choucair expects this sector to contribute 135 billion dollars to the GDP by 2030, representing about 12% of the total GDP, with a compound annual growth rate reaching 43.1%. Samer Choucair added: “The Kingdom presents a unique model that differs from global models reliant on debt; it relies on a long-term strategic vision supported by sovereign capabilities and a target computing capacity of 6 gigawatts by 2030, making it a global hub for data and innovation in partnership with tech giants such as NVIDIA.”
Map of Strategic Opportunities in the Gulf
Samer Choucair outlined the features of successful investment in this sector, identifying four main paths for investors in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf:
Infrastructure and Sovereign Computing: Describing it as the “new oil” of the digital economy, benefiting from competitive renewable energy costs and the Kingdom’s geographical location.
Support for Specialized Startups: Focusing on local applications in the smart energy, healthcare, and tourism sectors.
Human Capital Development: Investing in collaboration models between humans and machines to raise productivity rates.
Predictive AI and Asset Tokenization: Trends that serve major projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea.
Success Strategy for Investors and Entrepreneurs
Samer Choucair emphasized the necessity of moving from the experimental stage to execution linked to clear financial performance indicators, confirming that companies integrating AI into the core of their strategy are the only ones that will achieve real returns. Choucair called on entrepreneurs to develop customized AI solutions for the local market, such as multimodal small language models in Arabic to serve vital sectors. Investment leader Samer Choucair concluded his statement by saying: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the support of Vision 2030 and the strength of the Public Investment Fund, possesses all the elements to be the biggest winner in this global economic transformation. Today is the time for bold and calculated decisions, for whoever grasps this historical moment will control the tools of the future.”