Volume 13, Issue 9 (September 2026), Pages: 1-7

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 Original Research Paper

The role of artificial intelligence applications and robotics in promoting innovation and economic development in Saudi Arabia

 Author(s): 

Ebtehal Saleh Freeh Allhidan *

 Affiliation(s):

Department of Management and Information Systems, College of Business Administration, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia

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 * Corresponding Author. 

   Corresponding author's ORCID profile:  https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7208-5701

 Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

 
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2026.09.001

 Abstract

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are increasingly viewed as strategic tools for promoting innovation, supporting economic development, and strengthening institutional transformation. This study examines the role of AI applications and robotics in Saudi Arabia through three interrelated dimensions: promoting innovation, supporting economic development, and identifying the institutional and policy requirements needed to strengthen their adoption. The study employed a descriptive-analytical quantitative design using a structured questionnaire administered to 220 participants, including managers, chief executive officers, and employees working in organizations that implement, use, or are exposed to AI and robotics applications across different sectors in Saudi Arabia. The study instrument consisted of 24 items distributed across the three aforementioned dimensions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, and simple linear regression analysis. The results showed high levels of agreement across the three dimensions, with mean scores of 3.72 for innovation, 3.80 for economic development, and 3.80 for institutional and policy requirements. Hypothesis-testing results revealed statistically significant positive relationships for all three hypotheses. These results suggest that AI and robotics are significant contributors to organizational innovation and economic development, particularly when supported by appropriate regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, training, and institutional preparedness. In conclusion, maximizing the developmental value of intelligent technologies in Saudi Arabia requires coordinated efforts across technological, organizational, and policy levels.

 © 2026 The Authors. Published by IASE.

 This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

 Keywords

Artificial intelligence, Robotics, Innovation, Economic development, Vision 2030

 Article history

Received 2 March 2026, Received in revised form 25 August 2026, Accepted 31 August 2026

 Acknowledgment

The author gratefully acknowledges the University of Hail for its academic support and for providing a supportive research environment. The author also thanks all participants for their voluntary contribution to this study. 

 Compliance with ethical standards

 Ethical considerations

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee (REC) at the University of Hail, Saudi Arabia (Approval No. H-2026-339). Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection. Participants were informed of the academic purpose of the study and assured that their responses would remain confidential and be used exclusively for scientific research. No personally identifiable information was collected, and participants were informed of their right to decline participation or withdraw without consequences. 

 Citation:

Allhidan ESF (2026). The role of artificial intelligence applications and robotics in promoting innovation and economic development in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 13(9): 1-7

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