AI in Travel
Majority Saudis use AI tools to make travel decisions: Survey

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation under Vision 2030, a critical question has emerged: Can the Kingdom build a homegrown tech workforce strong enough to power its digital ambitions?
From artificial intelligence and smart mobility to fintech and clean energy, the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding sectors are creating an unprecedented demand for highly skilled professionals. Yet despite billions in investments and major infrastructure rollouts, supply still lags behind demand.
This challenge, however, is far from ignored.
“We are proud to take human capital development to the next level,” said Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi, during the launch of the National Skills Platform in April 2025. “Technical expertise alone is not enough. Leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability are equally important, and skilling and reskilling for the workforce is a national priority that all stakeholders should engage in.”
The AI-powered platform connects Saudi job seekers to customized learning pathways, marking a shift toward demand-driven education and training.
Despite billions in investments and major infrastructure rollouts, supply still lags behind demand. (SPA)
A national priority
Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan, who also chairs the executive committee of the Human Capability Development Program, emphasized the broader purpose behind the Kingdom’s reforms.
“Vision 2030 is not just a roadmap for national transformation — it is a model for how investment in people can drive sustainable progress,” Al-Benyan wrote in an April op-ed for Arab News titled “Vision 2030: Elevating human capability in a changing world.”
Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, he noted that while 170 million new jobs will emerge globally by 2030, another 92 million will be displaced. He warned that 44 percent of core skills are set to change within five years, with digital and AI literacy becoming as fundamental as reading and math.
“Without these,” he wrote, “individuals are unable to participate meaningfully in today’s digital economy.”
Yousef Al-Benyan, Saudi education minister. (Supplied)
Scaling up training and inclusion
This outlook is shaping some of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious workforce initiatives. Among them is the Waad National Training Campaign, launched in 2023 and supported by more than 70 organizations. The program surpassed 1 million training opportunities in its first phase and now targets 3 million by the end of 2025.
Waad’s Women’s Employment Track has been particularly successful, with a 92 percent retention rate in tech roles—contributing to a record rise in female participation across the digital economy.
Waad, Al-Rajhi noted, is an investment in “the promise of human potential.”
Meanwhile, the Future Skills Training Initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology since 2020, has provided training to hundreds of thousands of Saudis in areas like cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing. Supported by the Digital Skills Framework and private-sector partnerships, it has grown steadily.
One such partnership — a 2023 collaboration with IBM — aimed to train 100,000 Saudis in AI and machine learning.
Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Saudi minister of human resources and social development. (Supplied)
Talent gaps persist
Despite this progress, a 2025 report by Nucamp and the ministry highlighted a 20 percent shortfall between tech job vacancies and qualified local talent. Critical roles such as AI engineers, cloud architects, and data analysts remain in short supply.
“Demand for AI and cloud experts far exceeds supply,” said Ahmed Helmy, managing director for SAP in the Middle East, in an April interview with Asharq Al-Awsat. The result: fierce competition among employers.
To meet short-term needs, Saudi Arabia is tapping into international expertise. The Premium Residency Program, launched in 2021, allows skilled foreign professionals to live and work in the Kingdom without a local sponsor. By late 2023, more than 2,600 had taken advantage of the scheme.
In 2024, five new visa categories were introduced to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and tech specialists. These include provisions that exempt founders from Saudization quotas for their first three years—providing flexibility to scale teams while supporting local hiring in the long term.
“Such incentives allow skilled professionals to have a more stable life and make long-term investments in their careers in Saudi Arabia,” said Raymond Khoury, partner at Arthur D. Little, in May.
Still, officials stress that international hiring is a stopgap — not a substitute.
“While attracting global talent is crucial, sustainable growth depends on balancing international expertise with local knowledge development,” said Mamdouh Al-Doubayan, MENA managing director at Globant.
To that end, foreign hires are increasingly being integrated not just as employees, but as mentors and trainers.
Startups adapt with remote models
In the private sector, startups are turning to remote hiring to bypass local talent shortages. A 2024 study by Wamda found that many Saudi companies are building distributed teams, sourcing tech talent from Egypt, Jordan, and other regional markets. This strategy shortens hiring cycles and enables around-the-clock operations.
The trend aligns with the Kingdom’s Telework Initiative, which certifies employers to offer remote roles to Saudis—especially women and those living outside major urban centers.
Competitive pressures from giga-projects
The hiring challenge became especially acute in 2023. That year, PwC’s Middle East Workforce Survey reported that 58 percent of Saudi firms struggled to fill key tech roles. A MAGNiTT report found that 65 percent of startup founders saw the shortage of senior tech talent as their top obstacle.
A concurrent survey by Flat6Labs noted that many startups were delaying product launches due to staffing shortages, losing talent to mega-projects offering 30 to 50 percent higher salaries.
“Engineers and product managers often defect to deep-pocketed giga-projects that offer salaries 30–50 percent above startup pay,” wrote venture adviser Aditya Ghosh in a November 2023 LinkedIn Pulse column.
Bridging the divide
Education leaders are working to close this gap. Khalid Al-Sabti, chairman of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, said in a 2024 Arab News interview that Saudi Arabia is aligning its curriculum with global benchmarks.
“We must ensure our graduates meet international standards to compete globally,” he said.
This includes revising curricula, emphasizing hands-on projects, and embedding industry into the classroom through partnership programs. The Talent Enrichment Program, for example, spans 160 countries and offers global certifications to Saudi learners.
Encouragingly, Saudi Arabia’s position in the IMD World Talent Ranking improved in 2023. Companies such as STC, Aramco Digital, and Elm are now hiring directly from local boot camps and training centers — evidence that education and industry are beginning to align.
The road ahead
Ultimately, the success of Saudi Arabia’s tech talent strategy will be measured not just by enrollments or credentials, but by how effectively new graduates are absorbed into the workforce.
If current reforms continue at scale, the Kingdom may not only satisfy its domestic tech demand — but emerge as a regional hub for digital talent.
As Al-Benyan wrote: “By investing in people, fostering global collaboration, and redefining the future of work, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating that human capability is the ultimate driver of progress.”
AI in Travel
Ansett brand being relaunched to usher in an era of AI travel era

You might trust AI to quietly do your job, but would you trust it with your holiday – and would using a service named after a twice-bankrupt Australian airline help seal the deal?
Melbourne-based digital marketing strategist Constantine Frantzeskos believes it should. The entrepreneur is reviving the Ansett Australia brand – formerly Australia’s second-largest airline – as an AI-powered online travel agent called Ansett.Travel.
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AI in Travel
How the Galaxy AI Features on Galaxy Z Fold7 Redefine Wanderlust – Samsung Newsroom Malaysia

Buckle up! You’re flying to Seoul, South Korea, to watch your favorite K-pop group’s first full-squad comeback. Concert tickets? Secured. Flights? Booked. Bags? Packed. But before you start snapping that first airport selfie, you’ve got some planning to lock down.
Unfold Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 — your ultimate travel companion with multimodal capability for smoother, and smarter travel.
As the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Fold series device yet, its pro-level cameras and AI features make it the ideal travel buddy. Translation: zero travel stress, max fandom vibes.
Before You Go: Unfold Your Travel Planner
You’re about to witness a once-in-a-lifetime reunion show, and it’s also your first time visiting Seoul. Relax. Galaxy Z Fold7 will handle the details.
Press and hold the side button to activate Gemini. Drop your concert date, hotel address and wish-list spots, then tell it:
“Recommend a 4-day, 3-night itinerary including a K-pop concert and save it to Samsung Notes.”
Gemini generates a custom itinerary, complete with must-visit fan cafés and your personal favorite’s trainee-era hangouts, fueling your ultimate K-pop pilgrimage.
“Should I pack this T-shirt or a hoodie?”
Don’t know what to pack? Let Gemini suggest for you. Activate camera sharing on Gemini Live to hold up your outfit options and just ask Gemini what works best to get real-time advice. It will consider Seoul’s weather and the kind of exploring you’ll be doing. No more overpacking so you’ll have more room in your luggage to bring home all that concert swag.
When the jet-set countdown starts, Now Brief has you covered. It shows your boarding pass details, Seoul’s current weather and real-time exchange rates front and center — so you can check what matters at a glance, before your trip.
Gate to Stage: AI Navigates Your Tour
You land at Incheon International Airport and the clock is ticking. So you ask:
“What’s the fastest and most affordable route to my hotel carrying two suitcases?”
In no time, Gemini displays side-by-side cards for airport express trains, buses and taxis, complete with fares, travel times and transfer counts all laid out.
Seoul Highlights, From Tradition to Modernity
After leaving your luggage at the hotel, day one kicks off at Bukchon Hanok Village, the perfect “Hello, Korea” setting for your vlog. Rest the Galaxy Z Fold7 on a ledge — Flex Mode lets you shoot easily, no tripod needed, while capturing the full Hanok backdrop.
But wait. Those unwanted photobombers in your pictures? Gone. Galaxy AI’s Photo Assist understands the whole scene, and Suggest Erases automatically detects and removes them with one tap. All done without post-editing hassle. Plus, with Side-by-Side Editing and Show Original, you can instantly compare the before-and-after images on the unfolded screen.
Next stop: K-beauty heaven. Aisles and aisles of products, but when you pick one up to read the label, it’s all in Korean. No worries. Camera sharing on Gemini Live can translate the ingredient labels listed in Korean, sprinkling in emojis for context to help you know what you’re buying. Still overwhelmed? Ask Gemini:
“Recommend one for sensitive skin.”
Gemini cross-checks the ingredients and suggests a top 3 recommendation list tailored to you. You can check out like a skincare pro, not a confused tourist.
Main Stage Moment: Your Favorite Idol Up Close
It’s finally the big day. Your lightstick is charged, your phone is fully juiced and the stadium is crowded with fans. You might be stuck in the nosebleeds, but Galaxy Z Fold7’s 200MP camera captures your personal favorite up close with crystal-clear detail. Moreover, thanks to the 10 MP 100° front camera, you can squeeze all your new friends into one frame and still grab the boys on stage too. When the arena goes dark, Nightography kicks in, turning a sea of flickering lightsticks into sharp, balanced footage you’ll replay on a loop after the encore.
Final Encore: Edit and Elevate
Say goodbye, Seoul — hello airborne edit bay. Plane rides are perfect for some creativity. With Galaxy Z Fold7’s expansive screen, editing your travel vlog is easier than ever. Use the upgraded Audio Eraser to reduce the sound of the crowd’s background noise so your favorite member’s vocals shine.
Z Fold7: The Perfect Travel Companion
Galaxy Z Fold7 isn’t just another travel gadget — it’s the backstage pass, stylist, translator, map and editing tool that elevates your creativity to the next level. It’s no longer the smartphone era; welcome to the age of the AI sidekick. Skip the endless search bars and just talk. Unfold your phone, and half your trip is already handled. So go ahead, live your best wanderlust life. GalaxyZ Fold7’s got your back from takeoff to touchdown.
Unfold your Galaxy Z Series devices with these promotions and rebates today!
Until 31st August 2025, purchase the latest Galaxy Z Series devices to enjoy launch rebates and promotions worth up to RM2,209![1]
Model | RAM + Memory | Colour | RRP | Rebates & Promotions |
Galaxy Z Fold7 | 12+256GB | Silver Shadow | RM 7,799 | · Double storage upgrade worth RM600
· Samsung Reservation+ Voucher worth RM210
· Samsung Care+ worth up to RM999
· CIMB Rebate worth RM400
· Enhanced Trade-In worth RM500 |
Blue Shadow | RM 7,799 | |||
Jetblack | RM 7,799 | |||
Mint (Online Exclusive) | RM 7,799 | |||
12+512GB | Silver Shadow | RM 8,399 | ||
Blue Shadow | RM 8,399 | |||
Jetblack | RM 8,399 | |||
Mint (Online Exclusive) | RM 8,399 | |||
16GB + 1TB | Blue Shadow | RM9,899 | ||
Jetblack | RM 9,899 | |||
Galaxy Z Flip7 | 12+256GB | Blue Shadow | RM 4,999 | |
Coral Red | RM 4,999 | |||
Jetblack | RM 4,999 | |||
Mint (Online Exclusive) | RM 4,999 | |||
12+512GB | Blue Shadow | RM 5,599 | ||
Coral Red | RM 5,599 | |||
Jetblack | RM 5,599 | |||
Mint (Online Exclusive) | RM 5,599 | |||
Galaxy Z Flip7 FE (Online Exclusive) | 8+128GB | Black | RM 3,999 | |
White | RM 3,999 | |||
8+256GB | Black | RM 4,299 | ||
White | RM 4,299 |
Grab the all new Galaxy Watch Series with these rebates as well to expand your Galaxy ecosystem:
Model | Connectivity | Colour | RRP | Rebates |
Galaxy Watch8 (44mm) | Bluetooth | Graphite | RM1,399 | · Fabric Band M/L worth RM159
OR
· Fabric Band S/M worth RM159 · Enhanced trade-in Rebate up to RM200 |
Silver | RM1,399 | |||
Bluetooth + LTE | Graphite | RM1,699 | ||
Silver | RM1,699 | |||
Galaxy Watch8 (40mm) | Bluetooth | Graphite | RM1,299 | |
Silver | RM1,299 | |||
Bluetooth + LTE | Graphite | RM1,599 | ||
Silver | RM1,599 | |||
Galaxy Watch8 Classic (46mm) | Bluetooth | Black | RM1,799 | · Sport Band M/L worth RM159
· Enhanced trade-in Rebate up to RM200 |
White | RM1,799 | |||
Bluetooth + LTE | Black | RM2,099 | ||
White | RM2,099 | |||
Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) | Bluetooth + LTE | Titanium Blue | RM3,399 | · Trail Band worth RM399
· Galaxy SmartTag2 worth RM149 · 15W Power Adapter without Cable worth RM59 · 10,000mAh Battery Pack worth Rm159 · Enhanced Trade-in Rebate up to RM200 |
Titanium Gray | RM3,399 | |||
Titanium Silver | RM3,399 | |||
Titanium White | RM3,399 |
To purchase Samsung’s latest devices, please visit the following sites:
[1] Terms and conditions apply.
AI in Travel
Edo Govt Denies PDP’s N3.51bn Travel Claim as ‘AI Fabricatio

The Edo State Government and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee on Sunday clashed over an alleged N3.51bn incurred by the government on travel expenses.
The PDP said it was outraged by the revelation that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration “squandered the huge amount on travel in just the first half of 2025.”
The government, however, dismissed the claim as “AI-generated,” noting that since his assumption of office, Okpebholo had not embarked on any frivolous voyage.
It maintained that every kobo spent on official engagements, both local and international, was “strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people.”
A statement on Sunday by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said, “The Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State chapter, is outraged by the disgraceful revelation that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration squandered an alarming N3.51bn on travel in just the first half of 2025.
“This waste comes at a time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Capital Importation Report confirms that Edo State failed to attract a single kobo in foreign investment, while states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and even Ekiti made the list.
“The contrast is both embarrassing and telling. Other states are opening their doors to capital, Edo’s leaders are opening their wallets for endless trips.
“This reckless expenditure is an insult to the good people of Edo State who continue to endure poor roads, inadequate healthcare facilities, decaying schools, delays in salary payments and epileptic power supply.”
Responding, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in a statement, said, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to yet another baseless, ill-informed, and laughable press statement by the moribund Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, signed by its ever-noisy but chronically uninformed, self-imposed mouthpiece, Chris Osa Nehikhare.
“It is ironic, if not downright insulting, that the PDP, a party whose years of misrule, monumental corruption, and gross incompetence left Edo State in ruins, now attempts to lecture the people on governance, accountability, and prudent spending.
“The same PDP that had every opportunity to transform Edo but instead chose to plunder its resources, destroy public trust, and mortgage the future of our people now pretends to be the conscience of the state. Edo people are neither fooled nor interested.”
The government dismissed the claims as false, adding that the governor had been forging alliances since assuming office to develop the state.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration is a government of action, purpose, and vision. The AI-generated claims by the moribund PDP are false.
“Since he assumed office, Governor Okpebholo has not embarked on any frivolous voyage.
“Every kobo spent on official engagements: local or international, is strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people.”
The governor’s aide carpeted Nehikhare, adding that he was the least qualified to talk about accountability, prudence or governance.
“As for Nehikhare, he is the least qualified person in Edo State to talk about accountability, prudence, or governance.
“His political resume reads like a manual on failure: years spent defending corruption, whitewashing incompetence, and parroting lies to keep his stomach full while Edo people suffered.
“The PDP’s talk of ‘crumbling infrastructure’ is the height of hypocrisy. It was under their watch that Edo’s schools rotted, our roads collapsed, hospitals became death traps, and investments fled in droves,” the statement added.
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