Samer Choucair: Artificial Intelligence Can Turn Rural Areas Into Economic Growth Drivers in Saudi Arabia
Samer Choucair, investment entrepreneur, affirmed that global experiences deploying artificial intelligence within local communities, led by the accelerating digital transformation seen in Indian villages, offer a practical model Saudi Arabia can benefit from to expand digital transformation's impact and strengthen economic development across various regions, in line with Vision 2030's targets.
He explained that the report The Economist published on the spread of AI applications in rural India highlights how smartphones, chatbots, and short videos have become daily tools for education, work, and improving productivity, helping reshape the economic and social reality of millions of users outside major cities.
He noted that AI app downloads in India surpassing 600 million reflects the scale of transformation the digital economy is experiencing, affirming that this experience carries important messages for investors in the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which continues investing in building a knowledge economy based on technology and innovation.
He added that the Indian experience proves that artificial intelligence isn't limited to developing major companies, but its impact extends to empowering individuals, supporting entrepreneurs, and raising productivity in traditional sectors, opening broad investment horizons in markets with advanced digital infrastructure and a clear economic vision.
*Saudi Arabia's Fundamentals*
He affirmed that Saudi Arabia today possesses all the fundamentals needed to benefit from these shifts, starting with advanced digital infrastructure, rising internet penetration rates, and the expansion of 5G networks, down to national initiatives aimed at strengthening the digital economy under Vision 2030.
He noted that the digital economy's contribution to Saudi GDP has seen accelerating growth in recent years, at a time when studies expect artificial intelligence to contribute more than 135 billion dollars to the Saudi economy by 2030, backed by massive investments in data centers, cloud computing, and tech startups.
He explained that these fundamentals position the Kingdom to benefit from AI applications in sectors directly touching citizens' lives, such as agriculture, education, financial services, healthcare, and digital government services.
Samer Choucair said: "What we're seeing in rural India proves that artificial intelligence isn't an urban luxury, it's a tool for breaking down barriers. In Saudi Arabia, we have the vision, the capital, and the infrastructure. The opportunity now is in building AI solutions tailored for rural and remote areas, whether in agriculture, education, or financial services. Whoever invests in this comprehensive empowerment today will reap long-term strategic returns."
He added: "Investing in AI-backed agricultural technologies isn't just an economic opportunity, it's a national necessity supporting food security and sustainability goals in Vision 2030. I expect this sector to see accelerating growth in the coming years, particularly with continued government support for smart agriculture."
*Where the Opportunities Lie*
He noted that digital transformation isn't limited to economic aspects, but also extends to empowering local communities, through developing the content economy, and opening new income sources for creators and entrepreneurs across various regions.
Choucair said: "Short videos and chatbots aren't just changing entertainment, they're creating a new economy for creators, farmers, and young people in remote areas. Investors who support local Arabic platforms and cultural content will achieve a dual impact, achieving financial returns alongside generating positive social impact aligned with Vision 2030's empowerment goals."
He explained that the current stage offers promising investment opportunities across a number of sectors, most notably smart agriculture relying on AI applications in irrigation management, crop monitoring, and climate data analysis, in addition to digital education offering Arabic-language content backed by artificial intelligence, alongside fintech solutions tailored for farmers and small enterprises, the digital content economy, and investing in startups linking digital infrastructure to government services and local applications.
He affirmed that the success of these investments also requires focusing on developing digital skills, strengthening data governance, and developing AI models that respect the Kingdom's cultural and linguistic particularity, ensuring sustainable economic and social impact.
Choucair said: "Saudi Arabia possesses all the fundamentals to be a leading regional hub in this transformation, but success requires considered strategic investment, not just technical enthusiasm. Whoever understands the market's deep mechanisms and simplifies them for investors is the one who will make the difference."
He concluded his remarks by affirming that the Indian experience offers a practical example of artificial intelligence's ability to bring about broad economic and social transformations when it reaches various segments of society, noting that the Kingdom has a unique opportunity to accelerate this transformation thanks to Vision 2030 and continuous investment in the digital economy.
Samer Choucair said in concluding his remarks: "Opportunity doesn't wait. Whoever moves today with a clear strategy and a deep understanding of economic and technical shifts will be better positioned to benefit from the future of the digital economy in the Kingdom and the region. Real investment begins with empowering people, and when artificial intelligence reaches every region and every sector, technology turns into sustainable economic and social value."