Google's Economic Impact in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for 2024
In 2024, the narrative across the Middle East & North Africa has shifted. The region is no longer simply "adapting" to the digital age; it is boldly forging an incredible new future, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates leading the charge in an unprecedented era of not only digital transformation, but AI transformation. These nations are embracing technology and are actively shaping the global landscape of Artificial Intelligence; at Google, we are proud to be their partner in this ambitious journey.
For years, our products have been woven into the fabric of daily life and economic activity across the MENA region. But today, as we unveil the latest insights from Public First's 2024 Google Economic Impact Reports for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, we're excited about the shared commitment to innovation, growth, and prosperity, which our products and programs directly bring.
The AI Opportunity for Saudi Arabia and the UAE
According to Public First, by 2030 Generative AI alone is set to boost Saudi Arabia’s economy by SAR 727 billion, equivalent to 19% of its Gross Value Added (GVA), and grow the UAE’s economy by AED 298 billion, also 19% of its GVA.
This incredible potential is a direct testament to the strategic vision of both nations and the AI transformation that we help build. It is also why we launched the Google Cloud region in Dammam in 2023, and announced the PIF-Google Cloud partnership to create a global AI Hub in 2024.
However, we know that powerful products and AI tools are only truly impactful when people have the right skills to use them. In 2024, we launched the AI Opportunity Initiative for the Middle East & North Africa, the largest AI initiative in the region, to ensure essential AI skills, research funding and helpful AI products are accessible to all.
At Google, we continuously work to equip everyone for the jobs of the future, especially that 57% of adults in Saudi Arabia and 78% in the UAE agree they aren't currently using AI tools to their full potential, according to the report. This clearly demonstrates both an appetite for and a need for more skills training across the Kingdom. Businesses are also realizing the importance of AI to their countries’ economy where 88% of businesses in Saudi Arabia and 87% in the UAE agree that AI is an important opportunity for their country’s economy.
Google's Economic Impact and Mission of Helpfulness
We're excited to see our products and local programs directly boost economic activity and benefit people, businesses, and communities across both nations.
Google products create a vibrant ecosystem of opportunity and innovation, helping everyone thrive—from individuals and small businesses to large corporations and, ultimately, the entire national economy. The Public First report revealed that In 2024 alone, our tools—Google Search, Google Play, YouTube, Google Cloud, and Google Advertising—generated SAR 31.2 billion in economic activity for Saudi businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers. In the UAE, these same tools generated AED 21.8 billion in economic activity.
But our impact goes beyond economic figures. Our flagship Maharat Min Google initiative has trained over 590,000 individuals in Saudi Arabia and over 430,000 in the UAE since 2018, directly equipping them with the essential digital and AI skills for the jobs of the future.
We also empower communities and help them with access to technology and AI-powered tools and programs, especially through strong developer communities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Google's mobile platforms, Google Play and Android, help local app developers, digital startups, and exporters build, innovate, and grow. In 2024, our app ecosystem directly supported the creation of 29,000 jobs in Saudi Arabia and 30,000 jobs in the UAE.
A Shared Future
The 2024 Economic Impact Reports for Saudi Arabia and the UAE clearly show these nations are leading the way into an AI-powered future. At Google, we are incredibly excited to see our products and programs are making a real difference in these dynamic economies and in the lives of their people. As Saudi Arabia and the UAE keep pushing the limits of what's possible with AI, Google is ready. Together, we're building a future that's more productive, more innovative, and helpful for everyone. d truly helpful for everyone.
