TLDR: A recent Intel-commissioned survey reveals that Saudi Arabia has the highest AI PC adoption rate in the Middle East at 58.5%, with the UAE at 41.5%. This indicates a strong regional interest in AI-powered personal computing, despite some consumer concerns and low current ownership. The broader AI market in Saudi Arabia is projected for significant growth and investment by 2030.
According to an Intel-commissioned survey, as reported on April 23, 2025, Saudi Arabia is leading the Middle East in AI PC adoption, with 58.5% of its residents indicating a willingness to upgrade to an AI-powered personal computer. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) closely follows with an adoption rate of 41.5%. The survey highlights a significant market potential in both nations, with over 60% of surveyed residents across Saudi Arabia and the UAE expressing an intention to upgrade to an AI-powered PC, and an additional 29% likely to consider it.
Interest in AI PCs is particularly strong among younger demographics. Approximately 35% of individuals aged 25-34 and 26.4% of those aged 18-24 showed high enthusiasm for adopting these advanced computing devices. Overall sentiment towards AI learning and adaptation in the region remains positive, with 36% of respondents expressing strong positivity, 34% showing some concern, and only 4% holding somewhat negative views.
However, the report also notes that approximately 85% of respondents expressed some level of concern regarding AI, though extreme concern was limited to 6-7%. Despite growing awareness, current AI PC usage is relatively low, with 44% of respondents reporting no prior usage and only 6% currently owning such devices.
In a broader context, Saudi Arabia’s domestic AI market is poised for substantial expansion. Backed by 14 regulations from the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), the market is projected to reach USD 9.2 billion by 2030, contributing 12% to the country’s GDP. Furthermore, an estimated USD 15 billion in investments is expected to boost data center capacity to 1.3 GW.
Also Read:
- Gartner Forecasts 77.8 Million AI PC Shipments in 2025, Capturing 31% of Global Market
- Artificial Intelligence Poised to Outpace Cloud Computing Market Growth by 2030, SaaStr Reports
While the original news summary suggested that ‘generative AI adoption hits 58 percent, outpacing European markets,’ the detailed report specifically refers to ‘AI PC adoption’ in Saudi Arabia at 58.5%. For comparison, general AI adoption rates in Europe were reported to reach 64% in 2025, indicating that the ‘outpacing’ claim might refer to a different, more specific generative AI metric or a combined regional figure not explicitly detailed in the available information.
