The Deepfest26 forum opened its third day of sessions in Riyadh alongside the LEAP 2026 technology conference, outlining the Kingdom’s strategic transition toward an “AI-First” operational model. Official discussions addressed how artificial intelligence can be systematically integrated into service and product design from inception to improve institutional productivity, resource efficiency, and broader economic outcomes.
Abdullah Al-Khodairi, Chief Strategy Management Officer at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), addressed attendees during the opening of the event’s third day. According to SPA (Arabic), Al-Khodairi stated that designating 2026 as the “Year of AI” established a clear national trajectory for the Kingdom to leverage cutting-edge technology for long-term development, innovation, and global competitiveness.
Enterprise Adoption at Deepfest26 Forum
Al-Khodairi referenced data from Stanford University’s AI Index, which shows that more than 80% of surveyed employees in Saudi Arabia use artificial intelligence regularly in their daily work routines. Consequently, the primary operational focus across public and private entities has moved from raising initial awareness toward converting widespread adoption into sustainable organizational value and measurable performance improvements.
“The AI-First approach does not mean using artificial intelligence everywhere or placing technology before humans, but rather putting value before technology.”
Abdullah Al-Khodairi, Chief Strategy Management Officer at SDAIA
Governance and Infrastructure Frameworks
Saudi Arabia spent years building the foundation for this stage by strengthening national data capacity, expanding digital infrastructure, and establishing comprehensive governance frameworks. Furthermore, organizational adoption requires careful management based on institutional readiness, risk levels, and adherence to strict guidelines in cybersecurity, privacy, and data sovereignty.
Experts emphasized that sustainable deployment relies on developing robust data pipelines, standardizing ethical compliance, and ensuring that automated systems remain auditable and secure against emerging cyber threats.
Real-World Operational Themes
The third day of the Deepfest26 forum ran under the theme “Intelligence in the Real World: From Discovery to Execution.” The agenda featured specialized sessions exploring the transition from theoretical ambitions to reliable institutional deployment across critical sectors, including predictive tools in health-tech, industrial automation, and physical computing architectures.
Outlook for National Development
The gathering brought together international specialists, policymakers, and enterprise leaders to examine trust, data quality, and scalable deployment models across public and commercial ecosystems. By maintaining human oversight at the core of technical transformation, the initiative supports long-term national objectives and sustainable productivity within the broader economy.
