Manal Saleh 

Saudi workers are moving beyond AI adoption to AI-enabled ways of working as organizations reshape roles, skills and the workplace

News Highlights

·       60% of Saudi workers surveyed use AI agents, compared with 47% worldwide, signaling faster adoption of AI-enabled ways of working.

·       86% of Saudi Business Leaders surveyed say AI adoption has resulted in new roles or teams, while only 2% report AI primarily replacing or reducing roles.

·       40% of Saudi Knowledge Workers report a healthy relationship with work, up 6 percentage points year on year.

·       71% of Saudi workers prioritize transferable skills over climbing a traditional career ladder, compared with 59% worldwide.

·       72% of Saudi Knowledge Workers still say it feels too risky to leave their current job, highlighting continued workplace uncertainty.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia 30 September, 2026 – Saudi workers are moving beyond AI experimentation and into AI-enabled ways of working, with 60% now using AI agents compared with 47% worldwide, according to the Saudi findings of HP's 2026 Work Relationship Index.

The findings demonstrate that Saudi organizations are entering a new phase of AI adoption, one in which AI is reshaping how work is organized, how teams are structured and the skills employees need to succeed. At the same time, workplace health has improved year on year, even as workers continue to navigate uncertainty.

The findings show that AI is becoming embedded in everyday work rather than remaining a standalone productivity tool. Among Saudi Business Leaders surveyed, 86% say AI adoption has resulted in new roles or teams, while only 2% report AI primarily replacing or reducing roles. Rather than focusing on workforce reduction, organizations are increasingly redesigning work around new skills, responsibilities and ways of collaborating.

“Saudi Arabia’s workforce is not simply adopting AI; it is beginning to work differently because of it,” said Fadle Saad, HP Managing Director Saudi Arabia, MENA HQ. “As AI agents become more embedded in daily workflows, the opportunity for organizations is to make this shift human-centered by giving people the right skills, the right technology and the confidence to use AI in ways that improve how they work. The findings show encouraging progress in workplace health, but they also remind us that trust must be built deliberately. When employees feel supported, equipped and included in the change, AI can become a catalyst for healthier, more resilient ways of working.”

AI Is Reshaping How Saudi Organizations Work

AI is no longer simply helping Saudi employees complete tasks faster; it is becoming part of how work itself is organized. From decision-making and collaboration to team structures and skills development, the findings demonstrate that organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and embedding AI into everyday business operations.

The study also finds that 41% of Saudi workers surveyed turn to AI as their first point of inquiry for a work task or question, compared with 34% worldwide. Among Business Leaders, that rises to 56%, reinforcing AI's growing role in everyday decision-making.

As organizations adapt, employees are adapting too. Seventy-one percent of Saudi workers now prioritize building transferable skills over following a traditional career ladder, highlighting the growing importance of adaptability in an AI-enabled economy.

Workplace Health Improves Despite Continued Uncertainty

The transition to AI-enabled work is taking place alongside healthier relationships with work. Forty percent of Saudi Knowledge Workers are now in the Healthy Zone of HP's Work Relationship Index, up six percentage points from 2025 and placing Saudi Arabia among the highest-performing markets surveyed.

The findings also reveal an important tension. Although workplace health is improving, uncertainty remains a defining feature of the employee experience. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Saudi Knowledge Workers say it feels too risky to leave their current job, highlighting how workers are adapting to uncertainty even as workplace health improves.

For employers, the message is clear: AI adoption alone is not enough. Sustaining progress requires organizations to build trust in how AI is introduced, equip employees with the skills to work confidently alongside new technologies, and create workplace experiences that support both productivity and wellbeing.

“As AI moves deeper into core workflows, the role of technology leaders is also evolving. CIOs and IT teams are no longer only responsible for keeping systems running; they are helping shape how people experience work every day. The real measure of success is not only whether technology makes employees faster, but whether it makes work clearer, more seamless and more fulfilling. In Saudi Arabia, this means designing technology experiences that give people confidence, reduce friction and help them focus on higher-value work.”

– Fadle Saad, HP Managing Director Saudi Arabia, MENA HQ

Technology and Adaptability Will Define the Next Phase

HP's findings underscore that the next phase of workplace transformation in Saudi Arabia will depend on how effectively organizations combine AI adoption with workforce development, leadership and technology experience.

As AI becomes embedded in everyday work, the organizations most likely to succeed will be those that invest not only in technology, but also in skills, trust and employee experience. For business leaders, the imperative is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to help people adapt, grow and thrive alongside it.

About the HP Work Relationship Index 2026

HP's 2026 Work Relationship Index is based on a global survey conducted between April 15 and May 20, 2026, across 15 countries, including Saudi Arabia. The study surveyed more than 19,000 desk-based workers, including Knowledge Workers, IT Decision Makers and Business Leaders.

The Index measures people's relationship with work and identifies the factors associated with healthier workplace experiences.

For more information and to access the full HP Work Relationship Index 2026, visit: HP Work Relationship Index

About HP

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology company operating in more than 180 countries, delivering devices, software and services that help people and organizations thrive in the future of work.