RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is seeing unprecedented growth in the robotics industry as a growing number of technology companies seek to register to do business in the Kingdom.
The number of robotics companies registered in the Kingdom increased by 52 percent to 2,344 in the second quarter of 2023, compared to 1,537 in the same period a year ago, according to a summary bulletin released by the Commerce Minister earlier this month.
Riyadh topped the list with 1,387 registrations, followed by Makkah with 491, Eastern Province with 269, Madinah with 76 and Qasim with 32, the bulletin said.
AI trading registrations
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia also saw a 49% increase in the number of registered companies offering artificial intelligence solutions to 4,229 in the second quarter of the year, compared to 2,823 in the same period in 2022.
Riyadh topped the list again with 2,563 registrations, followed by Makkah with 843, Eastern Province with 475, Madinah with 130 and Qasim with 62, according to the bulletin.
Saudi Arabia’s AI sector is expected to contribute more than $135.2 billion to the economy by 2030, equivalent to 12.4 percent of the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In October 2022, Ahmed Baharoon, an AI consultant and co-founder of Saudi Arabian robotics provider Inc Robotics, told Arab News that the Kingdom supports the adoption of robotics in all sectors. However, challenges in automating their operations remain.
Speaking at the time, Baharun said: “The government is launching initiatives such as automating 4,000 manufacturing plants over the next five years, and the Kingdom’s logistics strategy launched last year lists the use of robotics and AI in smart cities, including NEOM and Line.”
He also emphasized that robotics can significantly reduce costs in many industries and utilize human labor for better purposes.
Baharun added: “Having a robot can enhance the customer experience and create great moments that can be used to enhance brands and present them in a fun way.”
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