Interview: Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO, National Technology Development Programme
How does the development of the innovation ecosystem within the ICT sector contribute to the economic transformation outlined in Vision 2030?
IBRAHIM NEYAZ: The innovation ecosystem within the ICT sector is essential to achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030. This sector is a cornerstone for the country’s economic transformation, driving diversification and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. ICT is deeply integrated into each Vision Realisation Programme, enabling different sectors such as education, health care, tourism and government services to benefit from technological advancement. For instance, in tourism, ICT is crucial in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of services, including the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Furthermore, the ICT sector attracts foreign investment and boosts quality of life, aligning with the vision’s aim to improve public services and create opportunities for start-ups to thrive.
What role do you envision artificial intelligence (AI) playing in the future of the technology industry?
NEYAZ: We are already witnessing AI’s rapid global development, and Saudi Arabia is committed to positioning itself as a leader in this space. This technology has the potential to revolutionise various industries by improving efficiency, productivity and innovation. For example, AI can enhance public services, enabling round-the-clock accessibility and reducing the need for human-operated call centres through advanced chatbots and language models. AI is also expected to contribute to the emergence of smart cities, with the Kingdom aiming to have 10 smart cities by 2030.
Across sectors like health care, industry and tourism, AI will disrupt business models, introduce new efficiencies, and open opportunities for both public and private enterprises. The government is also keen on accelerating AI adoption by enabling private sector companies and start-ups to innovate in this field, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s overall digital transformation.
To what extent do public-private partnerships (PPPs) drive technological advancement?
NEYAZ: Countries with strong economies often rely on PPPs to build infrastructure, enhance innovation and mobilise resources, and Saudi Arabia is following a similar path. The ICT sector in the Kingdom is driven by the private sector, with players like stc and Mobily leading the development of networks and infrastructure. These partnerships enable resource sharing, whether human capital or infrastructure, and foster innovation by bringing in global expertise and technology.
A significant portion of Saudi Arabia’s technological ecosystem is developed in collaboration with private sector entities. In our work, we collaborate with nearly 49 partners – the majority of whom are from the private sector – to operate products and deliver value across the ICT space. This collaboration is critical to achieving Vision 2030’s targets for innovation, economic diversification and global competitiveness.
In what ways do research and development (R&D) align with global technological trends?
NEYAZ: The Kingdom is aligning its R&D efforts with technological trends by focusing on areas such as health, environmental sustainability, energy and future innovations. The Research, Development and Innovation Authority was created in 2021 to drive these efforts. The government recognises the role of the private sector in driving R&D, which is why initiatives like the NTDP’s NextEra programme were introduced to support start-ups and tech firms with grants for R&D projects.
The R&D focus is geared towards ensuring that new innovation can be commercialised or integrated into businesses. This approach has attracted interest from start-ups and firms eager to make progress in areas such as AI, renewable energy and deep tech. As we scale these initiatives, we are doubling the number of companies supported, demonstrating the strong demand and potential for R&D growth within the Kingdom.
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