Top Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and business leaders across Saudi Arabia are feeling optimistic about their companies’ revenue growth in 2025, staying ahead of both regional and global averages. 

According to PwC’s latest CEO Survey, this confidence is fueled by ambitious workforce expansion, cutting-edge AI adoption, and big investments in emerging industries. According to the report, the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation is positive, and local leaders are steering their organisations toward a future-ready economy. In fact, the Kingdom is now seen as a top investment destination beyond home markets, with major commitments to sustainability and technology leading the way.  

The key findings from the report are:

Bolstering Gen AI investments: Saudi CEOs are embracing the transformative power of AI and GenAI like never before, recognising their potential to reshape industries and boost business performance.

According to the report, an impressive 81% of CEOs in the Kingdom have adopted GenAI within the past year—right in line with global adoption trends.

What’s more, trust in AI is notably high, with 57% of Saudi business leaders confident in embedding the technology into key processes.

That’s significantly ahead of their regional peers (47%) and way above the global average of 33%.  

And it’s not just hype—Gen AI is delivering real results. As two-thirds of Saudi CEOs report that GenAI has boosted profitability and increased revenue in the past 12 months, which is higher than the entire MENA region and global benchmarks.  

The report also underlines that the Kingdom’s AI commitments are paying off, as in 2024, Saudi Arabia jumped to 14th place on the Global AI Index, fulfilling its Vision 2030 goal of becoming a top 15 AI leader by the end of the decade.

With Project Transcendence – a $100 billion-backed project for data centers, infrastructure, startups, and AI skills– the Kingdom is building a robust AI ecosystem to position itself as a global tech hub.  

Gen AI-backed job growth on the rise: Leaders across Saudi Arabia are already seeing the benefits of integrating GenAI, with many saying it has freed up their time to focus on strategic growth and strengthening client relationships. Nearly 80% conveyed that GenAI has made their own work time more efficient—much higher than the global average of 53%. Additionally, 66% of them agreed that it has made their employees more productive as well.  

While AI and GenAI are undoubtedly shifting some traditional clerical roles, they’re also sparking job growth. Nearly 29% of Saudi CEOs shared that they’ve increased headcount in the last year, compared to just 17% globally.

This points to a growing demand for tech and cybersecurity specialists as companies continue to embrace innovation.  

The Kingdom's forward-thinking approach to digital transformation and AI adoption is paving the way for a dynamic and competitive future. Business leaders are confident that technology will continue to be a powerful driver of growth and opportunity, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to be a global leader in innovation.  

While they are optimistic about job growth, they’re also keeping a close eye on skill shortages—40% of CEOs see this as a significant concern. 

To address the gap, the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan is putting a strong focus on education and upskilling to build a more diverse, future-ready economy. One key initiative making strides in this area is the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence. The initiative aims to empower Saudis with the skills needed for the modern workforce—particularly in data analysis, machine learning, and other high-demand tech fields.

Additionally, training programs are also prioritising women, youth, and entrepreneurs, aiming to nurture a new generation of experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

By investing in people alongside technology, Saudi Arabia is not just building a thriving economy but also ensuring that its workforce is ready to lead in global competition too.

Climate-first investments: The Kingdom is increasing efforts towards a sustainable future, with large-scale investments in renewable energy. 

As part of the Vision 2030 program, the goal is to generate 50% of the country’s electricity from renewables by the end of the decade. Plus, Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to commit to a formal net-zero target, aiming to hit it by 2060.  

And this year, the region will see bigger investments, with sustainability plans kicking off on a positive note. The efforts will be creating a great amount of jobs in tourism, manufacturing, and other non-oil sectors—helping diversify the economy while cutting emissions.  

And Saudi CEOs are aligning their efforts with this, as 72% of them have invested in climate-friendly initiatives—more than their Middle Eastern and GCC counterparts, and right in line with global peers over the past 12 months. These investments cover a range of areas, from making operations more energy-efficient to rolling out greener products and adopting emission-reducing technologies.  

And the investments are already paying off.

While 59% of CEOs acknowledge that these sustainable moves have increased costs, 72% have also seen a revenue boost—a figure that’s significantly higher than the global average of 33% and the GCC average of 54%.  

By prioritising sustainability alongside economic growth, Saudi Arabia is not just setting ambitious goals—it’s leading the way toward a greener, more resilient future.  

Riyadh AlNajjar, PwC Middle East Chairman of the Board & KSA Country Senior Partner, explained, “Saudi Arabia’s business leaders are at the forefront of one of the world’s most dynamic economic transformations. Their commitment to digital innovation, sustainability, and diversification isn’t just about keeping up with change – it’s about driving it.”  

And it’s paying off. The survey shows that 71% of CEOs in the Kingdom expect increased profitability within the next 12 months thanks to GenAI, while 57% are confident in integrating AI into core business processes.  

Faisal Alsarraj, PwC Middle East Deputy Country Leader for Saudi Arabia, echoed this sentiment, “CEOs here are leading the region in AI adoption, positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for digital transformation. The rapid integration of AI and emerging technologies is already boosting efficiency and profitability.”  

As the Kingdom accelerates its diversification plans, almost half of the CEOs reported entering new sectors over the past five years. Looking ahead, 69% plan to make acquisitions within three years, with three-quarters of those deals focusing on industries beyond their traditional sectors.  

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Cybersecurity remains a top concern, with 49% of CEOs acknowledging the risk of cyber threats. As a result, many leaders are ramping up investments in digital resilience and advanced security solutions to protect their progress.  

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Despite the challenges, Saudi business leaders are confident in the Kingdom’s future, driving innovation and embracing transformation as they work toward Vision 2030. It’s an exciting time for the region, and the momentum is only building.