Saudi Arabia, October 20, 2025: Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is entering a new era of innovation, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. According to new projections, the Kingdom’s adoption of AI in healthcare could unlock between $15 billion and $27 billion in economic value by 2030, revolutionising patient care, efficiency, and accessibility nationwide.
The Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program, part of Vision 2030, aims to modernise healthcare services and position Saudi Arabia as a regional technology and innovation hub. AI is expected to automate nearly 40% of healthcare tasks, significantly improving efficiency, reducing manual workloads, and enhancing patient outcomes.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has underscored the immense potential of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to deliver global health benefits and eliminate inefficiencies. This vision aligns with the government’s broader digital strategy, which includes initiatives such as the National Data Bank and national cloud infrastructure, encouraging collaboration between the public and private sectors.
One of the most prominent examples of this transformation is the SEHA Virtual Hospital, powered by AI and developed in partnership with Proximie, a global health technology platform. The virtual hospital facilitates remote consultations, AI-based triage, and scan interpretation, enabling specialists to support local hospitals in real time.
With the capacity to treat over 400,000 patients annually, SEHA has already assisted in cardiology surgeries across regional hospitals, minimising the need for patient transfers.In one case, a 70-year-old patient from Tabuk, suffering from stroke-induced heart failure, underwent successful emergency surgery through remote guidance from SEHA’s cardiology team via Proximie’s platform, a testament to the power of connected healthcare.
Speaking to Arab News, Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram, surgeon and co-founder of Proximie, noted that AI is transforming healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia by improving patient safety, communication, and operational efficiency. By automating administrative processes and minimising human error, AI enables clinicians to focus more on patient care.
While the benefits of AI integration are substantial, including lower healthcare costs, enhanced efficiency, and expanded access in rural areas, experts emphasise the need to build public trust in this technology. Addressing data privacy concerns and ensuring transparent communication about how patient information is used will be key to fostering acceptance and adoption of AI technologies.
Saudi Arabia’s government remains deeply committed to advancing medical research and innovation, pledging to allocate 2.5% of GDP to research and development, particularly in areas related to ageing and chronic diseases.The establishment of the Hevolution Foundation, a $20 billion initiative aimed at extending human healthspan and promoting longevity research worldwide, further reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership in health innovation.
With bold investments, cutting-edge technology, and a clear national strategy, Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming its healthcare system into a model of AI-enabled excellence. By 2030, the Kingdom is expected not only to enhance the quality of care for its citizens but also to set new regional and global benchmarks for smart, data-driven healthcare.
