AI workplace research from Gensler Research Institute shows that employees in Saudi Arabia spend approximately 52% of their work week in the office, according to the firm’s Global Workplace Survey 2026. The study surveyed more than 16,400 full-time office workers across 16 countries and 10 industries, making it one of the largest ongoing studies of workplace experience globally.
Saudi employees report spending 14% of their work week at home, with the remainder split across client sites, co-working environments, and time spent commuting or traveling. The primary reason employees cite for coming to the office is to focus on work, followed by professional development opportunities, access to technology, and collaboration with colleagues.
AI Workplace Research Findings on Global Office Attendance
Globally, employees spend 55% of their work week in the office, according to the survey. This figure suggests that physical workplace environments remain central to professional life, even as digital transformation accelerates across industries.
The data aligns with broader trends observed across the 16 surveyed countries. Moreover, the findings challenge assumptions that remote and hybrid work models have permanently reduced office attendance at a global scale.
How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Collaboration
The research highlights a notable shift in how artificial intelligence affects workplace behavior. Globally, 30% of workers are now classified as advanced AI users, meaning they regularly use AI tools in both their professional and personal lives.
Contrary to assumptions that technology leads to more isolated work, the data shows the opposite. Employees who use AI frequently spend less time working alone and more time learning, collaborating, and building stronger team relationships. Active AI users allocate approximately 12% of their work week to learning and professional development, compared to 8% among other employees.
“AI is not replacing the workplace — it is redefining its value. As AI takes over routine tasks, employees spend more time collaborating, learning, and solving problems together. For organizations in Saudi Arabia, this reinforces the importance of workplace environments that enable connection, creativity, and continuous learning.”
Tarek Sheikh, President and Managing Director, Gensler Middle East
Employee Expectations for Wellbeing and Development
The study also examines what Saudi employees expect from future workplace environments. Employees prioritize spaces that support physical and mental health, access to outdoor areas, training and mentorship opportunities, and quiet zones for focused work. Furthermore, employees want workplaces that feel both productive and professional, as well as creative and inspiring.
“The workplace has reached a new equilibrium. Employees still value the office as a place where they can focus, connect with colleagues, and access the resources they need to perform at their best. The opportunity for organizations in Saudi Arabia is to design workplaces that respond to these evolving expectations — spaces that combine technology, community, and experience to support both productivity and wellbeing.”
Jose Faine, Workplace Practice Area Leader and Principal, Gensler Middle East
Workplace Design and Saudi Vision 2030
Gensler’s research indicates that the workplace is entering a new phase, where environments must be both technologically advanced and human-centered. This means enabling employees to connect, learn, and perform at their highest levels simultaneously.
As Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to build a knowledge economy under Vision 2030, the findings point to a strategic opportunity. Designing workplaces that empower employees can support the Kingdom’s broader ambitions in innovation and productivity. The full report, titled “Design Forecast 2026,” is available for download from Gensler’s website.
Gensler was founded in 1965 and currently employs nearly 6,000 professionals working with clients in more than 100 countries annually. The Global Workplace Survey draws on more than 20 years of specialized workplace studies and a database of approximately 125,000 participants.