Organisations in Saudi Arabia are strengthening automation strategies as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates, with new research indicating that foundational process improvements remain critical to achieving measurable business outcomes. The study, conducted by Nintex, highlights a growing shift among enterprises towards aligning automation with AI initiatives to improve operational performance.

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The findings are based on a survey of C-suite executives and senior managers across 100 Saudi organisations with more than 250 employees. Results show that 62% of respondents reported stronger business outcomes when combining AI with automation, while 86% identified automation as a necessary first step for successful AI implementation. This reflects the role of structured workflows and improved data quality in enabling scalable and effective AI deployments.

Businesses across the Kingdom are already acting on these insights. Around 82% of organisations plan to introduce formal automation strategies within the next seven to twelve months, while 43% have begun automating processes across various business functions. This indicates steady progress in building operational frameworks required to support enterprise-level AI adoption.

“Saudi organisations clearly recognise the potential of AI, but the organisations that realise the greatest value will be those that first put the right operational foundations in place,” said Samir Akel, Regional Vice President at Nintex. “Automation provides the structure that allows AI to operate effectively by connecting systems, improving data quality, and ensuring insights can translate into real operational improvements.”

For CIOs, the focus is increasingly shifting from AI experimentation to demonstrating measurable value. As investments in AI technologies grow, expectations from executive leadership are centred on improving efficiency, enabling faster decision-making, and delivering tangible business impact. At the same time, technology leaders are under pressure to show clear return on investment, manage complex data environments, and support AI deployment across critical workflows.

The research suggests that without structured processes and well-managed data environments, organisations may struggle to translate AI-driven insights into operational results. Automation addresses this by standardising workflows, connecting systems, and enabling consistent data governance, ultimately enhancing AI effectiveness across business functions.

“AI has enormous potential to transform how organisations operate, but technology alone does not deliver business outcomes,” adds Akel. “What we are seeing across Saudi Arabia is a growing recognition that automation provides the operational foundation that allows AI to succeed. When organisations automate their processes and structure their data effectively, AI can deliver faster insights, support better decision-making, and ultimately drive measurable impact on the bottom line.”

Half of respondents indicated that AI and automation are now being designed together from the outset, reflecting a more integrated approach to digital transformation. The findings align with broader national priorities under Saudi Vision 2030, as organisations adopt structured strategies to support scalable, enterprise-wide innovation.

As adoption continues, the research indicates that organisations focusing on operational readiness alongside technology deployment are more likely to achieve sustained business impact from AI initiatives.