Investment leader Samer Choucair emphasized that the innovative momentum currently witnessed among Saudi youth represents the fundamental pillar of the knowledge-based economic transformation in the Kingdom. He noted that the “Exthon 4” hackathon, organized by the University of Tabuk in strategic partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), reflects the global excellence of the new Saudi generation in formulating advanced technical solutions that support the objectives of Vision 2030.
The hackathon saw the participation of more than 300 innovators from 30 educational and institutional entities, competing to develop solutions in the fields of traffic safety using artificial intelligence. Samer Choucair described this as a living embodiment of the spirit of the “Year of AI 2026” currently experienced by the Kingdom.
Demographic Wealth.. A Strategic Engine for the Future Economy
Investment leader Samer Choucair explained that the Kingdom possesses a major competitive advantage represented by an exceptional “youth bulge,” as citizens under the age of 35 constitute about 63% of the population, with a median age of 26.6 years—significantly lower than the global average of 33.6 years.
Samer Choucair pointed out that Vision 2030 succeeded in harnessing this human energy, as between 300,000 to 400,000 young men and women join the labor market annually with advanced digital skills. This has contributed to lowering the unemployment rate to 7% and increasing labor force participation to 66.4%, surpassing targets set six years ahead of schedule.
Saudi Universities.. Global Incubators for Innovation
Samer Choucair praised the pioneering role of Saudi universities, which are no longer merely educational institutions but have transformed into platforms for global competition. He cited the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2025, where King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) took first place, with full Saudi dominance over the top three positions in the Arab world, in addition to the significant progress of King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University in the QS World University Rankings for Computer Science.
Samer Choucair considered that the success of teams like “Wameedh” and “Wen” in the Tabuk hackathon, with the participation of students from KAUST and Aramco, confirms that innovation has become a corporate culture supported by massive government investments in research and development.
Global Leadership in AI Indicators
Samer Choucair highlighted the historic achievements made by the Kingdom in the Stanford University AI Index Report 2026, where Saudi Arabia achieved the following:
First place globally in AI security, privacy, and encryption.
First place globally in empowering women in the field of artificial intelligence.
Third place globally in the growth and functionality of advanced AI models.
15th place globally in producing AI research and 46th in the Global Innovation Index.
Choucair emphasized that these figures are the fruit of major strategic investments, such as the 100-billion-dollar “Transcendence” project and startup acceleration programs like GAIA.
Samer Choucair’s Vision for Investment Opportunities in 2026
Investment leader Samer Choucair believes that this movement opens unprecedented doors for strategic investment, stating: “Hackathons like Exthon 4 in Tabuk are not just competitions; they are factories for startups that will be the growth engines in Saudi capital markets. The youth developing solutions in traffic safety and smart cities represent real investment opportunities.”
Samer Choucair added in his analysis of 2026 trends: “Saudi Arabia possesses unique competitive advantages including competitive energy, advanced digital infrastructure, and an ambitious young generation, making it the primary regional hub for AI. Investors who take the initiative to enter these startup projects will achieve exceptional returns backed by Vision 2030, which aims to substantially increase the technical sector’s contribution to the GDP.”
From Innovation to Market Value
Samer Choucair predicted that the AI sector would contribute 135 billion dollars to the Saudi economy by 2030, with an annual growth rate reaching 43%. He urged investors and entrepreneurs in the Kingdom and the Gulf to focus on innovations aligned with the Vision’s priorities in the areas of smart transportation and sustainable cities.
Samer Choucair concluded his statement by emphasizing that Saudi youth are no longer merely recipients of technology but have become its creators. He stressed that the companies being born today in hackathon rooms are the ones that will lead Saudi capital markets toward new horizons, underlining that investing in this generation is the ultimate strategic necessity for achieving sustainable prosperity.