Saudi Arabia will modernise 4,000 industrial facilities with artificial intelligence and automation under Vision 2030, aiming to become a regional manufacturing powerhouse.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is fast-tracking its industrial future. As part of its Vision 2030 agenda, the Kingdom will transform 4,000 existing factories into high-tech smart hubs using artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. The plan falls under the national Future Factories Programme, which targets improved productivity, energy efficiency and local talent development.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced strategic partnerships with major Chinese technology firms such as BOE Technology Group and Tsinghua Unigroup to transfer knowledge and localise complex industrial systems. These include AI-integrated manufacturing, advanced display technologies and semiconductor frameworks.
The transformation will be driven by the newly formed Advanced Manufacturing and Production Centre (AMPC), a dedicated zone to train Saudi engineers and operators in AI-powered systems, automation, and digital factory protocols.
The results are already becoming visible. According to the latest data, the Kingdom’s Industrial Production Index increased by 6.5% in July 2025 year-on-year. This reflects the growing impact of AI-enabled efficiencies across sectors.
Saudi Arabia is also targeting a $7.1 billion opportunity in AI for manufacturing by 2033. Experts predict a 36.2% annual growth rate in this segment alone, driven by innovations in predictive maintenance, robotics, and smart analytics.
To further diversify the economy, the Kingdom is now venturing into technical textiles and garment manufacturing through new partnerships with Indian firms. This move aligns with its strategy to expand into lightweight, innovation-heavy industries.
The message is clear: Saudi Arabia is no longer only rich in oil—it’s becoming rich in intelligence and innovation.
