Saudi Arabia is taking a bold step toward industrial leadership in the age of convergence
During a panel discussion titled “Industrial Leadership in the Era of Convergence,” H.E. Bandar Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, announced a strategic shift in the Kingdom’s industrial approach — from keeping pace with global trends to leading the development of future industries. Moderated by Dr. Basma AlBuhairan, Managing Director of C4IR Saudi Arabia, the discussion emphasized innovation, sustainability, and human capital as key enablers of Saudi Arabia’s industrial transformation.
Alkhorayef noted that more than 4,000 factories are being upgraded into smart facilities powered by artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and 3D printing, in alignment with Vision 2030’s focus on technology-driven growth. The ministry is also advancing digital infrastructure, developing national talent, and fostering an investment-friendly regulatory environment to enable the safe and effective adoption of modern technologies.
The two-day forum featured 12 panel discussions exploring AI integration, drone and satellite technologies, digital twins, and advanced manufacturing. Sessions examined global best practices in smart factories, the future of AI in key sectors, and the potential of quantum technologies to strengthen global cybersecurity.
Attendees also explored KACST’s Advanced Manufacturing Centre through an interactive metaverse experience led by Dr. Ibrahim AlShunaifi, showcasing the Kingdom’s progress in additive and subtractive manufacturing and smart logistics.
Discussions underscored the global shift from physical to knowledge capital, emphasizing that continuous learning, innovation, and mental well-being are central to national competitiveness. Participants highlighted the importance of youth and entrepreneurs in driving the age of AI and transforming industrial innovation.
On the sidelines, C4IR Saudi Arabia launched PeerLink, a new digital platform designed to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange.
Three joint publications with the World Economic Forum were unveiled:
- “Deployment Pathways for Advanced Air Mobility — Lessons from Early Implementation in Saudi Arabia”
- “From Barriers to Breakthroughs: How Peer-to-Peer Learning Can Help SMEs Embrace Digital Transformation”
- “Building Communities for Impact: Lessons from the Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India and Saudi Arabia,” co-authored with C4IR India.
The forum reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for industrial innovation and digital transformation, advancing the nation’s leadership in shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
