Zain KSA, the Saudi digital services provider, has launched its Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence (AI CoE) to integrate AI across its operations and expand AI-driven services for individuals, businesses, and government entities in Saudi Arabia.
The launch supports Zain KSA’s transition to an AI-first operating model and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s designation of 2026 as the ‘Year of AI.’
The AI CoE forms part of Zain Group’s broader ‘4WARD–Progress with Purpose’ AI strategy, which seeks to utilize shared platforms, partnerships, and expertise across the group.
The initiative is designed to accelerate AI deployment, optimize infrastructure investments, and develop solutions aligned with Saudi Arabia’s regulatory and market requirements.
The center will oversee the adoption of AI across Zain KSA’s business units to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and support data-driven decision-making. Priority areas include customer care, commercial operations, and network management.
Eng. Saad bin Abdulrahman AlSadhan Zain KSA CEO
“Innovation is fundamental to how we operate and how we create and deliver value. As Saudi Arabia’s digital economy accelerates, Zain KSA sees AI as a structural shift that must be embedded throughout our operations and extended through the broader ecosystem.”
Maha AlQernas, Executive VP of Information Technology and Head of the AI CoE, noted that, “The AI Center of Excellence gives us a robust structure to move from experimentation to disciplined execution. It focuses on the value AI creates for all stakeholders and unlocks its role in enabling new use cases across industries. This allows us to continue to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and support the Kingdom’s position as a leading, AI-driven economy.”
The AI CoE will operate across three interconnected functions. Internally, it will support the adoption of AI across Zain KSA’s operations to improve decision-making and business performance. Externally, it will provide scalable AI solutions for enterprises and government organizations across various sectors.
The center will also act as a coordination platform, bringing together technology partners, platforms, and local stakeholders to facilitate effective AI deployment.
A dedicated governance framework supports responsible implementation, ensuring compliance with national regulations and industry standards.
The framework aligns with the objectives of the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, as well as regulatory requirements governing the information and communications technology sector.
