SHIFT Observatory
Saudi Jobs Exposed to AI
Risk-weighted sum of all GOSI-registered workers by sector AI automation score.
Is My Job at Risk?
Search your occupation and see how exposed it is to AI automation.
Try a different keyword or check these suggestions:
AI Risk Map
13 administrative regions colored by AI exposure score.
Riyadh
الرياض
TOTAL WORKERS
5,906,951
registered in GOSI
SAUDI SHARE
23.2%
national workforce ratio
NON-SAUDI
4,537,814
76.8%
AI RISK SCOREⓘ
weighted by dominant sectors
GDP SHARE
22%
of national GDP
TOP SECTORS BY EMPLOYMENT
VISION 2030 GIGA-PROJECTSⓘ
V2030 PRIORITIES
Financial services, HQ & business services, entertainment & sports (Qiddiya, Sports Boulevard, King Salman Park), digital economy/cloud & AI, logistics
TOTAL WORKERS
Source: GASTAT GOSI Q4-2024
AI Exposure of the KSA Job Market
146 occupations — area = employment, color = AI exposure score
Cleaner/Janitor
1.8/10
880,000
Landscaping Workers
2.7/10
195,000
Security Guard
2.8/10
195,000
Administrative Assistants
8.5/10
145,000
General Manager
2.2/10
Operations Manager
3.4/10
HR Specialists
3.5/10
Receptionists
8.0/10
Data Entry Keyers
9.5/10
Office Manager
5.2/10
Government Relations Officer
2.8/10
Call Center Agent
8.5/10
Executive Secretary
7.5/10
Training Specialist
4.2/10
Payroll Clerks
8.8/10
Recruitment Specialist
6.2/10
Event Planner
3.2/10
Training & Development Manager
3.8/10
Travel Agents
7.7/10
Construction Workers
2.7/10
2,250,000
Electricians
2.9/10
245,000
Plumbers & Pipefitters
2.9/10
225,000
Electrical Technician
2.0/10
195,000
HVAC Technician
2.2/10
155,000
Civil/Mechanical Engineers
2.4/10
155,000
Project Manager (Construction)
2.9/10
Crane Operator
2.0/10
Health & Safety Officer
3.0/10
Architect
3.2/10
Quantity Surveyor
5.2/10
Document Controller
8.0/10
Surveyor (Land)
Retail Salespersons
5.7/10
450,000
Sales Representatives
6.2/10
195,000
Cashiers
5.4/10
155,000
Store Manager
4.0/10
Customer Service Reps
7.1/10
Purchasing Manager
4.2/10
Other Wholesale & Retail (2)
6.9/10
Other ICT (13)
4.0/10
Software Developer
4.8/10
IT Support Specialist
5.5/10
Computer Programmers
6.8/10
Network Engineer
3.8/10
Systems Analyst
4.8/10
Social Media Manager
5.8/10
Web Developers
5.6/10
Cloud Engineer
4.0/10
Content Writer/Copywriter
7.2/10
Video Producer/Editor
4.2/10
Heavy Truck Drivers
5.5/10
410,000
Delivery Driver
3.5/10
385,000
Warehouse Manager
4.0/10
Logistics Clerks
8.4/10
Supply Chain Manager
4.2/10
Other Transport & Storage (4)
5.2/10
Freight Forwarder
5.8/10
Flight Attendant
1.5/10
Maintenance Technicians
1.9/10
265,000
CNC Machine Operator
3.8/10
Production Supervisor
2.8/10
Maintenance Engineer
2.4/10
Industrial Engineer
3.2/10
Quality Manager
4.0/10
Chemical Engineer
2.6/10
Process Engineer
2.8/10
Registered Nurses
1.4/10
243,336
Surgeons & Physicians
1.5/10
Medical Laboratory Technician
3.5/10
Pharmacists
2.1/10
Dentists
1.3/10
Other Health & Social (4)
5.9/10
Social Workers
1.2/10
Hospital Administrator
4.0/10
Other Professional & Scientific (9)
4.7/10
Business Development Manager
3.8/10
Marketing Specialists
6.5/10
Lawyers
4.7/10
Graphic Designers
5.2/10
Public Relations Specialist
4.5/10
Corporate Lawyer
3.6/10
Market Research Analysts
6.8/10
Accountants & Auditors
8.8/10
Other Finance & Insurance (8)
6.6/10
Financial Analysts
5.3/10
Internal Auditor
6.7/10
Bank Tellers
7.3/10
Risk Manager
Insurance Agent
Teachers (Preschool/Primary)
1.4/10
244,652
University Professor
3.2/10
Private Tutor
4.8/10
School Principal
2.2/10
Other Education (1)
1.5/10
Waiter/Waitress
3.0/10
410,000
Barista/Cafe Worker
1.8/10
Fitness Trainers
Personal Trainer (Gym)
Tour Guide
2.5/10
Other Public Admin (3)
5.5/10
Food Safety Inspector
2.8/10
Petroleum Engineer
2.4/10
Drilling Engineer
2.2/10
Real Estate Agents
6.5/10
Imam/Religious Leader
0.5/10
Cleaner/Janitor
1.8/10
880,000
Landscaping Workers
2.7/10
195,000
Security Guard
2.8/10
195,000
Administrative Assistants
8.5/10
145,000
General Manager
2.2/10
Operations Manager
3.4/10
HR Specialists
3.5/10
Receptionists
8.0/10
Data Entry Keyers
9.5/10
Office Manager
5.2/10
Government Relations Officer
2.8/10
Call Center Agent
8.5/10
Executive Secretary
7.5/10
Training Specialist
4.2/10
Payroll Clerks
8.8/10
Recruitment Specialist
6.2/10
Event Planner
3.2/10
Training & Development Manager
3.8/10
Travel Agents
7.7/10
Construction Workers
2.7/10
2,250,000
Electricians
2.9/10
245,000
Plumbers & Pipefitters
2.9/10
225,000
Electrical Technician
2.0/10
195,000
HVAC Technician
2.2/10
155,000
Civil/Mechanical Engineers
2.4/10
155,000
Project Manager (Construction)
2.9/10
Crane Operator
2.0/10
Health & Safety Officer
3.0/10
Architect
3.2/10
Quantity Surveyor
5.2/10
Document Controller
8.0/10
Surveyor (Land)
Retail Salespersons
5.7/10
450,000
Sales Representatives
6.2/10
195,000
Cashiers
5.4/10
155,000
Store Manager
4.0/10
Customer Service Reps
7.1/10
Purchasing Manager
4.2/10
Other Wholesale & Retail (2)
6.9/10
Other ICT (13)
4.0/10
Software Developer
4.8/10
IT Support Specialist
5.5/10
Computer Programmers
6.8/10
Network Engineer
3.8/10
Systems Analyst
4.8/10
Social Media Manager
5.8/10
Web Developers
5.6/10
Cloud Engineer
4.0/10
Content Writer/Copywriter
7.2/10
Video Producer/Editor
4.2/10
Heavy Truck Drivers
5.5/10
410,000
Delivery Driver
3.5/10
385,000
Warehouse Manager
4.0/10
Logistics Clerks
8.4/10
Supply Chain Manager
4.2/10
Other Transport & Storage (4)
5.2/10
Freight Forwarder
5.8/10
Flight Attendant
1.5/10
Maintenance Technicians
1.9/10
265,000
CNC Machine Operator
3.8/10
Production Supervisor
2.8/10
Maintenance Engineer
2.4/10
Industrial Engineer
3.2/10
Quality Manager
4.0/10
Chemical Engineer
2.6/10
Process Engineer
2.8/10
Registered Nurses
1.4/10
243,336
Surgeons & Physicians
1.5/10
Medical Laboratory Technician
3.5/10
Pharmacists
2.1/10
Dentists
1.3/10
Other Health & Social (4)
5.9/10
Social Workers
1.2/10
Hospital Administrator
4.0/10
Other Professional & Scientific (9)
4.7/10
Business Development Manager
3.8/10
Marketing Specialists
6.5/10
Lawyers
4.7/10
Graphic Designers
5.2/10
Public Relations Specialist
4.5/10
Corporate Lawyer
3.6/10
Market Research Analysts
6.8/10
Accountants & Auditors
8.8/10
Other Finance & Insurance (8)
6.6/10
Financial Analysts
5.3/10
Internal Auditor
6.7/10
Bank Tellers
7.3/10
Risk Manager
Insurance Agent
Teachers (Preschool/Primary)
1.4/10
244,652
University Professor
3.2/10
Private Tutor
4.8/10
School Principal
2.2/10
Other Education (1)
1.5/10
Waiter/Waitress
3.0/10
410,000
Barista/Cafe Worker
1.8/10
Fitness Trainers
Personal Trainer (Gym)
Tour Guide
2.5/10
Other Public Admin (3)
5.5/10
Food Safety Inspector
2.8/10
Petroleum Engineer
2.4/10
Drilling Engineer
2.2/10
Real Estate Agents
6.5/10
Imam/Religious Leader
0.5/10
Source: GASTAT / GOSI Q3 2025 · AI scores: Frey-Osborne, Eloundou, Felten
Nitaqat & Saudization
Saudi localization framework — reserved professions, quotas, and band consequences.
100
Reserved Professions
20
Tawteen Decisions
13
Sectors with Parameters
5
Bands
Recent Tawteen Decisions (2024-2025)
| Profession | Quota |
|---|---|
| Consulting professions | 40% |
| Project management professions | 40% |
| Procurement professions | 50% |
| Sales professions | 15% |
| Engineering professions | 25% |
| Dentistry (private sector) | 35% |
| Radiology (private healthcare) | 65% |
| Medical laboratories | 70% |
| Clinical nutrition | 80% |
| Physiotherapy | 80% |
| Public education in private schools | 50% |
| HR professions | 100% |
| ICT core professions | 25% |
| Vehicle inspection outlets | 100% |
| Postal and parcel-delivery outlets | 100% |
| Entertainment centers in malls | 100% |
| Aviation - Airline Transport Pilot | 70% |
| Aviation - Cabin Crew | 60% |
| Medina Province - Restaurants | 40% |
| Medina Province - Cafes | 50% |
Band
| Band | New Visas | Renew Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | ✓ | ✓ |
| High Green | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medium Green | ✓ | ✓ |
| Low Green | ✕ | ✓ |
| Red | ✕ | ✕ |
Red entities cannot renew work permits or hire expats
Platinum entities have full access to all visa services
Top Employers at Risk
Largest Saudi employers ranked by AI exposure of their dominant sectors.
| #▴ | Company▴ | Sector | Employees▼ | Risk▴ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Binladin Group* | Construction | 100,000+ | Very Low12 |
| 2 | Saudi AramcoT | Oil & Gas | 73,311 | Low35 |
| 3 | AlmaraiT | FMCG | 43,918 | Low28 |
| 4 | SABICT | Petrochemicals | 35,000 | Low35 |
| 5 | Nesma Holding* | Construction | 35,000 | Very Low12 |
| 6 | SECT* | Utilities | 33,000 | Low30 |
| 7 | Saudia Airlines* | Aviation | 24,855 | Moderate38 |
| 8 | stcT | Telecom | 22,751 | Moderate45 |
| 9 | Al Rajhi BankT* | Banking | 21,700 | High62 |
| 10 | Al Othaim MarketsT | Retail | 16,286 | High55 |
| 11 | SNBT* | Banking | 16,000 | High62 |
| 12 | Savola/PandaT | FMCG/Retail | 15,299 | Moderate42 |
| 13 | Olayan Group* | Conglomerate | 14,500 | Moderate40 |
| 14 | SMEHT | Medical Equipment | 13,977 | Low35 |
| 21 | Panda Retail* | Retail | 13,000 | High55 |
| 15 | AldreesT | Fuel/Transport | 12,640 | Moderate38 |
| 16 | Saudi Ground ServicesT | Airport Services | 12,358 | Moderate38 |
| 17 | Zamil IndustrialT | Manufacturing | 12,294 | Moderate42 |
| 18 | Abdul Latif Jameel | Conglomerate | 11,000 | Moderate40 |
| 22 | Fawaz Al Hokair GroupT* | Retail | 11,000 | High55 |
| 20 | Dr. Sulaiman Al HabibT | Healthcare | 10,475 | Very Low15 |
| 19 | BinDawoodT* | Retail | 10,000 | High55 |
| 23 | Al Muhaidib Group* | Conglomerate | 9,000 | Moderate40 |
| 24 | Dallah HealthcareT* | Healthcare | 8,500 | Very Low15 |
| 25 | Ma'adenT | Mining | 7,800 | Low25 |
| 26 | Jarir MarketingT | Retail | 7,200 | High55 |
| 27 | Zahid Group* | Conglomerate | 6,500 | Moderate40 |
| 28 | Riyad BankT* | Banking | 5,600 | High62 |
| 29 | SAPTCOT* | Transport | 5,200 | Low35 |
| 30 | Bupa ArabiaT | Insurance | 4,800 | High55 |
| 31 | ACWA PowerT | Utilities | 4,200 | Low30 |
| 32 | Sadara Chemical | Petrochemicals | 4,100 | Low35 |
| 33 | BSF (Banque Saudi Fransi)T* | Banking | 3,800 | High62 |
| 34 | MobilyT | Telecom | 3,500 | Moderate45 |
| 35 | United Electronics (eXtra)T | Retail | 3,400 | High55 |
| 36 | FlynasT | Aviation | 3,200 | Moderate38 |
| 37 | Seera GroupT* | Travel/Tourism | 3,100 | Moderate50 |
| 38 | SACOT | Retail | 3,000 | High55 |
| 39 | Al Tayyar TravelT* | Travel | 2,800 | Moderate50 |
| 40 | Zain KSAT | Telecom | 2,200 | Moderate45 |
AI-Driven Layoffs
Tracking workforce reductions where AI was cited as a factor.
Tech layoffs 2024ⓘ
151K
Tech layoffs 2025ⓘ
245K
Tech layoffs 2026 YTDⓘ
38K
AI-cited (US, 2025)ⓘ
55,000
AI-cited % (2025)ⓘ
4.8%
Peak AI % (Oct 2025)ⓘ
20.3%
AI-Driven Layoffs
35 processes automated, 100+ bots, 40K hours saved, 2M+ requests processed
200 sorting robots deployed, largest robotic sorting center in Middle East
Fully automated dark stores for e-commerce fulfillment
12M+ operations in H1 2023, 17B SAR annual savings
50% customs operations automated, clearance time 24h→5h
20+ AI applications, 170K automated interventions, 25% diagnostic accuracy improvement
Native autonomous transport, predictive maintenance, AI-first urban management
Fully cashierless store using AI vision and auto-payment
800 positions cut (~10% workforce), accelerated by Covid + digitalization
Cruise and TXAI pilot programs for autonomous taxis
SHIFT Pulse
AI Workforce Intelligence — Weekly
WEF: Growing vs Declining
World Economic Forum Future of Jobs 2025 — fastest growing and declining roles.
GROWING
DECLINING
The V2030 Paradox
Vision 2030 promises job creation — but AI threatens even more.
V2030 net estimate after 30% deduplication
Risk-weighted exposure, not predicted job loss
exposure gap — more jobs at risk than being created
These numbers are NOT directly comparable. V2030 targets = net new jobs. AI exposure = existing jobs with automation risk. Many V2030 jobs are AI-augmented, not AI-proof. The paradox is real but nuanced.
Vision 2030 Giga-Projects
Major PIF-funded infrastructure mega-projects and projected employment.
NEOM
Region: Tabuk
Projected jobs
380,000
Current workforce
140,000
Key components
Red Sea Project
Region: Tabuk
Projected jobs
70,000
AMAALA
Region: Tabuk/Madinah
Projected jobs
50,000
Qiddiya
Region: Riyadh
Projected jobs
325,000
Diriyah
Region: Riyadh
Projected jobs
55,000
Current workforce
2,600
Jeddah Central
Region: Makkah
Projected jobs
25,000
Total projected jobs across all giga-projects: 905,000
Quarterly AI Risk Report
Get our Q1 2026 AI Risk Report — free PDF with risk scores, Saudization updates, and global AI layoff tracking.
Free. Quarterly. No spam.
The Observatory
Data sources, methodology, and limitations.
About the Author
Samy Aloulou
French entrepreneur based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. CEO of Monitoring Force Gulf, a Franco-Saudi consulting firm supporting life sciences companies entering the Gulf and European markets.
SHIFT Observatory was built from a conviction: AI-driven workforce transformation is accelerating faster than most organizations and professionals are preparing for. This dashboard exists to make that shift visible, measurable, and actionable — especially in Saudi Arabia, where Vision 2030 and AI adoption are reshaping the labor market simultaneously.
Built and maintained independently. Data sourced from GOSI, WEF, McKinsey, HRSD, and Perplexity AI.