In yet another attempt to polish his economic reputation and promote ambitious yet fragile projects, Mohammed bin Salman has announced massive investments in artificial intelligence, partnering with global tech giants such as Lenovo, Grok, Alibaba Cloud, and Google Cloud. According to official statements, these investments will reach $14.9 billion, covering the development of AI-driven manufacturing hubs, cloud computing expansion, and training local talent.
However, beyond the flashy headlines that the Saudi regime excels at crafting, serious questions arise regarding the reality of these investments, their economic viability, and whether they are part of a genuine effort to build a strong tech sector or just another PR stunt to distract from the failures of Vision 2030.
Massive Investments—But Who Really Benefits?
Saudi Arabia’s recent AI investment announcements are being marketed as transformative, yet a closer look reveals that these projects may not significantly contribute to the country’s technological independence or economic diversification.
– Projects That Don’t Develop Local Talent:
While Alibaba Cloud has announced collaborations with Tuwaiq Academy and STC to train Saudis, the majority of these AI projects remain heavily dependent on foreign expertise. Instead of empowering local talent, these investments primarily serve as contracts for global tech firms, reinforcing Saudi dependence on external capabilities.
– Lack of a Clear Strategy:
Despite pouring billions into AI-related projects, the Saudi government has not provided a detailed roadmap explaining how these investments will contribute to a diversified economy beyond oil. Without a strategic vision, these projects risk becoming financial black holes rather than sustainable economic drivers.
– Foreign Companies in Control of AI Technology:
The agreements make it clear that the biggest beneficiaries of these investments are global tech corporations that receive generous tax breaks and financial incentives. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia itself remains a consumer of technology rather than a developer, lacking control over patents, data sovereignty, or AI infrastructure.
“Saudi Silicon Valley”—A PR Stunt to Mask Failure
The Saudi regime is aggressively promoting these investments as a move to turn the kingdom into a global AI hub, but in reality, such claims lack credibility.
– No Established Tech Infrastructure:
Saudi Arabia still relies on importing technology rather than developing its own digital infrastructure. Without a solid foundation of research institutions, skilled workforce, and homegrown innovation, turning Riyadh into the next Silicon Valley remains a far-fetched fantasy.
– Severe Shortage of AI Professionals:
While the Saudi government boasts of its AI ambitions, reports indicate a critical shortage of engineers and programmers specializing in AI and machine learning. This means that AI initiatives will continue to be dominated by foreign professionals, offering little long-term value to the Saudi economy.
– Repeating the Failures of Past Mega-Projects:
This is not the first time bin Salman has launched extravagant investment plans. Projects like NEOM and The Line were similarly hyped as groundbreaking, only to be plagued by mounting debts and execution failures. The lack of transparency and strategic planning raises concerns that these AI investments are just another marketing gimmick to shift attention away from Vision 2030’s economic shortcomings.
AI Investments as a Tool for Digital Oppression?
These investments do not appear to be part of an organic effort to foster economic growth but rather a calculated move to enhance the regime’s surveillance capabilities and suppress dissent.
– AI-Powered State Surveillance:
Repressive regimes worldwide have used AI to expand digital monitoring and crack down on free expression. Saudi Arabia, notorious for its strict internet censorship and aggressive crackdown on online dissent, is unlikely to use AI for public empowerment. Instead, the regime is investing in AI to strengthen its control over digital spaces, further silencing critics.
– Buying Global Legitimacy Through AI Hype:
Bin Salman is using AI investments to position Saudi Arabia as a rising tech power, hoping to improve his standing among Western nations. This strategy aims to divert international attention away from human rights abuses, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the imprisonment of activists, and the lack of political freedoms. AI is being used not as an economic development tool, but as a distraction from Saudi Arabia’s authoritarian reality.
Artificial Intelligence, Real Corruption
Ultimately, bin Salman’s AI investments appear to be yet another reckless leap into a trending industry without the necessary foundation to succeed. This is another attempt to mask his economic mismanagement with glamorous, high-tech branding.
There is no clear evidence that these investments will benefit the Saudi people. On the contrary, this is another cycle of pouring billions into grandiose projects without a realistic plan for long-term sustainability.
- Who Really Profits? Foreign tech companies, which receive lucrative contracts and financial perks while maintaining full control over the technology.
- Who Loses? The Saudi people, who remain deprived of fundamental freedoms while being asked to believe in economic promises that have yet to materialize since the launch of Vision 2030.
What is happening now is not a technological revolution—it is yet another mirage added to the long list of bin Salman’s overhyped, underperforming projects. Instead of delivering real progress, these AI investments may only serve as another expensive failure, draining public resources while keeping the regime’s repressive mechanisms intact.
