When most hear “artificial intelligence,” they think of chatbots or digital assistants. But the next wave—superintelligent AI—could arrive within five years and profoundly transform the digital economy across the Middle East and beyond.
Unlike today’s narrow AI tools like ChatGPT or DALL-E, artificial general intelligence (AGI) will think and act like a human across diverse tasks, learning new skills and solving unfamiliar problems creatively. Artificial superintelligence (ASI) will surpass the smartest humans in every field, from science and economics to emotional intelligence—achieving capabilities far beyond current technology.
Foundations are already set with faster computing, advanced neural systems, and sophisticated reasoning models. Saudi Arabia is leading the regional charge, shifting from AI users to creators with initiatives like Humain—backed by the Public Investment Fund—which aims to develop homegrown AI infrastructure, local cloud services, and powerful Arabic language models.
Humain leverages over 18,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs, with AMD, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services investing billions to build AI research and infrastructure hubs. Saudi Arabia’s strategy prioritizes cultural alignment, data sovereignty, and shaping AI to serve future generations.
Superintelligent AI promises to revolutionize governance by enabling real-time policy analysis and optimizing public services, accelerating progress towards Saudi Vision 2030. It will personalize education at scale, adapting to individual learning styles and cultural contexts, fostering a skilled future workforce.
Scientific breakthroughs in medicine, clean energy, and materials science could be propelled by ASI, aligning with Saudi investments in biotechnology and sustainability. New industries—from autonomous legal platforms to AI-designed cities and emotionally driven travel experiences—may emerge, with projects like NEOM as innovation testbeds.
However, ASI’s transformative power demands robust governance, ethical frameworks, and global collaboration to prevent risks like job displacement and inequality. The Middle East is poised not only to adopt but also to lead in creating these frameworks. As Saudi Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha emphasized, the region aims to help set global standards rather than merely follow them.
In the race towards superintelligence, early investment, bold thinking, and prudent management will be decisive. Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach—from sovereign AI development to massive infrastructure deals—signals a future where intelligence, not traditional resources, drives prosperity.
If ASI arrives by 2028, the Middle East won’t just watch—it will lead.
