Saudi Arabia's HR technology sector is surging ahead, with market projections soaring from USD 576.8 million in 2024 to USD 1,029.10 million by 2031 at a 10.7% CAGR, fueled by widespread digital transformation in government, banking, healthcare, education, real estate, and beyond. Bolstered by over 1,600 tech startups and USD 412 million in H1 2024 venture funding, the ecosystem is pivoting toward cloud-based, mobile-first, and AI-enhanced solutions for recruitment, payroll, learning, compliance, and employee engagement.
The Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda has accelerated HR tech adoption, positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional powerhouse for intelligent workforce solutions. Organizations are leveraging AI to streamline processes while prioritizing employee well-being, creating workplaces that adapt swiftly to economic diversification and demographic shifts.
The 9th Annual HR Tech Saudi Summit served as a vital platform for senior HR executives, policymakers, and tech providers to align on these priorities, fostering cross-industry collaboration amid rapid change.
Participants hailed the event's convener role, where open exchanges between global firms, local innovators, and regulators sparked actionable ideas. Steen Hjortholm, Vice President of People & Culture for SSEA, CIS & MEA at Philip Morris International, highlighted the summit's dialogue-driven value during his keynote.
“The pace of change in our region is remarkable, and Saudi Arabia today is one of the most dynamic environments for transformation,” Hjortholm observed. “When we exchange experiences openly with those shaping policy and technology, we broaden our understanding and spark new ideas. The most valuable outcome is always the dialogue: hearing what others are doing, sharing what we are learning, and discovering how we can progress faster together.”
Sidh NC, Director at QnA International, echoed this, noting the summit's blend of diverse perspectives advances Saudi Arabia's work-humanization efforts. “This year’s summit reflected Saudi Arabia’s bold ambition to not only digitise but to humanise the future of work,” said Sidh NC, Director at QnA International. “Contributions from global organizations add meaningful depth to the conversations and help drive the dialogue forward as the Kingdom accelerates its transformation.”
Looking to 2026, Hjortholm outlined pivotal shifts: demand for tailored employee development and AI's role in elevating human elements over administrative tasks. “The true value of HR technology will increasingly be measured not by efficiency alone, but by how effectively it helps organisations learn, evolve and respond to change,” he explained.
He advocated for adaptive leadership that empowers exploration. “Leadership is becoming less about directing and more about enabling,” Hjortholm said. “In a digital context, no one has all the answers; what matters is creating an environment where people feel encouraged to explore, ask questions and keep learning. When leaders show they are open to learning, teams feel supported to do the same.”
This consensus at the summit reaffirms that Saudi Arabia's progress hinges on harmonizing technology investments with human-centric strategies, ensuring resilient, innovative workforces for the decade ahead.
QnA International organizes premier HR technology summits and events across the Middle East, convening industry leaders to explore digital workforce solutions and foster collaborative innovation in dynamic markets like Saudi Arabia.
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