Saudi Arabia Predictions 2025

As Vision 2030 approaches, what can we expect to see happen in Saudi Arabia in 2025?

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As Saudi Arabia races toward the ambitious milestones set by Vision 2030, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year in the Kingdom’s journey towards becoming a global hub for innovation, entertainment and technology. 

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With Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034 on the horizon, it’s an incredibly exciting time and we can expect to see the country’s focus on giga-projects, smart cities, and digital ecosystems continue to redefine its future over the coming year. 

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1. A people-first approach

While the scale of its developments is staggering, the year ahead will not only be about rapid construction and grand designs. A key theme emerging for 2025 will be the integration of ‘people-first’ thinking into the Kingdom’s tech landscape—ensuring that the community is at the heart of all innovation.

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As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its smart city projects, including mega-developments such as Qiddiya and the Red Sea Project, 2025 will be a year when these destinations start to truly take shape. But more than just building the infrastructure, the next steps will focus on empowering the people living in them. 

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2. Putting communities at the heart of the masterplan

Rather than only creating cities with technology at their core, the Kingdom will embrace a new approach: involving the community early in the design and implementation of these smart ecosystems; giving them a voice to shape the citizen and customer experience now and in the future. As AI, IoT, and data analytics shape urban life, feedback loops will be critical. City residents will be invited to share their thoughts on what’s working and what’s not—ultimately guiding the future of their urban experience.

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So, in 2025, expect to see community-driven platforms that allow people to engage with city management in real time. AI will explore text and sentiment from publicly available posts and use natural language processing (NLP) to identify trends and insights in chats that might not be available through direct feedback and manual analysis alone. This people-powered feedback will be essential in ensuring that these new cities live up to the promises of Vision 2030, including a focus on creating vibrant, inclusive communities.

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3. Super apps and digital infrastructure

In 2025, the rise of super apps in Saudi Arabia will redefine the way people interact with their cities. These apps, designed around specific cities or giga-projects, will integrate multiple services into a single platform—everything from food delivery to event booking, transportation, and utility management.

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Behind the scenes, companies like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are already investing heavily in the digital infrastructure that will power these experiences. The back-end infrastructure is critical as cities grow and digital services become even more integrated into daily life. Expect to see new digital ecosystems that make it easier for residents and visitors to navigate everything from city services to cultural experiences.

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Additionally, local content and services will take centre stage. To ensure these meet the rigorous quality and security standards, KSA's cultural and legal frameworks, there may be more homegrown digital solutions that will prevail; not only to comply with regulations but also reflect the country’s identity.

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4. The growing importance of first party data to know your customer

The future of digital experiences in Saudi Arabia will also be shaped by data, particularly first-party data. Companies and government entities will increasingly turn to their own data—collected from citizens and users within their digital ecosystems—to understand first-hand needs, preferences, and behaviours and also to ensure the highest quality of data.

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This data will enable more personalised services, from AI-powered recommendations for daily tasks to tailored entertainment and shopping experiences. However, with data privacy becoming a focal point globally, particularly with the Kingdom’s introduction of the Personal Data Protection Law, there will need to be a delicate balance between personalisation and trust. Communities must feel that their personal information is handled with care, and emerging legal frameworks will guide organisations in protecting user data. Those that gain user trust will see significant advantages, while those that fail to meet these expectations may face public backlash.

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5. Augmented Reality (AR) in entertainment and culture

Saudi Arabia’s investment in cultural and entertainment hubs will also open new opportunities for immersive experiences. Museums, galleries, and entertainment parks will increasingly incorporate AR to offer visitors an interactive and playful experience. These digital overlays will bring exhibitions and cultural landmarks to life in ways that were previously unimaginable.

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This trend will only grow in the coming years, with cities and cultural hubs developing their own AR-driven apps that blend the digital with the physical, creating experiences that will engage tourists and locals alike.

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Looking ahead in 2025, Saudi Arabia’s tech landscape will continue to evolve at a rapid pace, with smart cities, AI, gamification, and immersive technologies shaping the country’s future. 

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The future is bright, and Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be a global leader in entertainment, technology and innovation, with their communities at the very centre of this transformation. 

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