The open-source revolution in Saudi Arabia

As I address audiences worldwide, few topics ignite my passion quite like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a sweeping initiative to redefine the Kingdom’s economic, social and cultural landscape. 

Launched in 2016, this ambitious government program seeks to diversify an oil-dependent economy, empower its people and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in innovation. At the heart of this transformation lies artificial intelligence.

Yet, as Saudi organizations ramp up their AI efforts, shifting from cautious pilots to bold, value-driven deployments, another dynamic player is emerging: open-source technology.

I am firmly convinced that open source will not only amplify AI’s role, but also democratize it, making it a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s future. Let us dive into how this synergy is poised to reshape Saudi Arabia over the next decade.

Vision 2030 is nothing short of a national reinvention. With goals to slash oil reliance, boost private-sector growth and enhance quality of life, the Kingdom is laying the groundwork for a knowledge-based economy.

Projects like NEOM embody this vision, blending cutting-edge technology with sustainable living. Meanwhile, investments in healthcare, education and renewable energy signal a commitment to societal progress.

AI is the linchpin here, enabling everything from predictive maintenance in energy grids to personalized learning platforms for students. PwC estimates AI could contribute $135 billion to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2030.

But achieving this is not just about ambition but execution. That is where open-source technology steps in, offering a path to scale AI efficiently and inclusively.

AI’s fingerprints are already all over Vision 2030. In NEOM, for example, AI will manage everything from traffic flow to water conservation, creating a city that learns and adapts.

Healthcare is seeing a revolution, too, with AI-driven diagnostics cutting wait times and improving outcomes, critical for a population of about 35 million.

In education, tools like adaptive learning platforms are equipping Saudi youth with skills for a digital economy, fulfilling Vision 2030’s promise of a capable workforce.

These examples underscore AI’s versatility as an engine of progress. But as Saudi organizations move beyond experimentation, the challenge is clear: How do you scale AI to capture value at a national level?

Proprietary solutions from global tech giants offer power, but they come with steep costs and limited flexibility. Enter open source, a model I believe will make AI not just viable, but also mainstream.

Open-source technology, software with freely accessible code, has been a quiet disruptor in the global tech scene. As McKinsey’s “Open Source in the Age of AI” report notes, the technology is gaining momentum for its ability to accelerate innovation and cut costs.

In Saudi Arabia, where organizations already blend proprietary and open-source tools, it will be a gamechanger for three reasons: cost savings, transparency and community engagement.

First, economics. Proprietary AI platforms often carry price tags that can stifle smaller players. Open-source alternatives such as DeepSeek-V3 or Llama 4 deliver comparable power for free.

For a Kingdom aiming to spawn more than 300 AI startups by 2030 (per the National Strategy for Data and AI), this affordability is transformative. It levels the playing field, letting entrepreneurs and SMEs compete alongside larger competitors.

AI is indeed the engine of Vision 2030, and open source is the fuel making it roar.

Edgar Perez

Second, understanding. Open source offers a window into the “black box” of AI models. Developers can tweak algorithms to suit local needs, say, refining natural language processing for Arabic or tailoring predictive models for desert agriculture.

This is not just technical, but is also cultural. Saudi Arabia’s unique context demands solutions that proprietary vendors might overlook, and open source hands the reins to local innovators.

Third, the ecosystem. Open source thrives on collaboration, drawing talent from a global pool. Saudi Arabia’s developer community, bolstered by entities like the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, is ripe to tap into this.

Picture a coder in Riyadh enhancing an open-source tool to optimize solar farms, then sharing it worldwide. That is the kind of ripple effect Vision 2030 needs.

The Kingdom is already laying the tracks. Its digital infrastructure, including high-speed 5G, and sprawling data centers, sets the stage for AI at scale. But adoption trends tell the real story.

“Much of KAUST’s AI research is open source, with tools and models made available to the public.” Bernard Ghanem, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of KAUST’s Center of Excellence on Generative AI, said of the institution’s cutting-edge research.

The government’s push to train 20,000 AI experts by 2030 means a generation fluent in the newest tools is on the horizon. Over the next several years, I foresee a sharp uptick in open-source use as organizations chase cost efficiencies and customization.

This is not just a domestic play. Saudi Arabia wants to export tech, not just import it. Open-source platforms can help build exportable solutions. A Saudi startup could develop an AI tool for smart irrigation, refine it on open source, and sell it to drought-prone regions globally.

That is Vision 2030 in action: Economic diversification with a global footprint.

Adopting open source is not without hurdles. It demands skilled workers, something Saudi Arabia is addressing through education reform and robust governance to patch security risks.

The Kingdom’s proactive steps, like the establishment of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics in 2023, show it is ahead of the curve.

The payoff, though, is immense. Open source can democratize AI, ensuring its benefits, jobs, innovation and sustainability reach beyond Riyadh and Jeddah to rural provinces. It is a tool for inclusivity, aligning with Vision 2030’s social goals.

AI and open source coexist but also thrive together. Picture NEOM’s skyline humming with AI optimized by local coders on open platforms.

Imagine rural clinics using free AI tools to diagnose patients, or startups in Dammam outpacing global rivals with lean, open source-driven tech. This is the Kingdom’s future: bold, innovative and open to all.

AI is indeed the engine of Vision 2030, and open source is the fuel making it roar. Over the next several years, as adoption soars, Saudi Arabia will not just follow the AI revolution; it will lead it.

• Edgar Perez is a global keynote speaker and director of AI Workshop Riyadh