Access to Adobe AI tools will expand across Saudi Arabia under a 4 billion dollar initiative announced with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Humain. The agreement provides eligible citizens and residents aged 13 and above with 12 months of free access to creative software. The initiative was unveiled at the LEAP 2026 conference in Riyadh, according to madhyamamonline.com.
Distribution of Adobe AI Tools
Under the terms of the project, approximately 27 million users will receive free access to Adobe Firefly Standard and Adobe Express Premium. Adobe plans to introduce these software tiers in phases through the end of 2026. Users can generate and edit visual media through Firefly while creating videos, presentations, and social content through Express.
Localized Image Generation and Language Support
Adobe and Humain, an entity backed by the Public Investment Fund, are collaborating on a generative image model through Adobe Firefly Foundry. Specifically, the system is designed to recognize Saudi visual identity and cultural heritage accurately. The model allows users to generate images directly using Arabic-language prompts. Furthermore, Adobe Express on iOS and web platforms includes right-to-left formatting, Arabic typography, and regional design templates, supporting broader adoption in digital applications.
Skills Training and Support for Startups
In addition to software access, the Adobe Digital Academy will conduct practical training via the national Future Skills initiative. Courses will focus on artificial intelligence, design, and digital marketing for students and local creators, advancing education and training efforts across the Kingdom. Meanwhile, starting in early 2027, eligible startups linked with The Garage and the Digital Entrepreneurship Center will receive one year of free access to primary creative software alongside mentorship.
Long-Term Economic and Creative Goals
The current program expands on an agreement originally established during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in November 2025. Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Alswaha and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen stated that the initiative aims to make creative technology available to general users while supporting growth in the Kingdom’s creative economy. Consequently, the localized Adobe AI tools developed through this initiative will eventually be released to international markets at a later stage.
