Asharq Al-Awsat
·Jul 2026
How AI Supports Real-Time Decision-Making in Saudi Arabia's Airports and Ports
Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase of infrastructure development by embedding artificial intelligence directly into airports, ports, and logistics networks to improve real-time operational decision-making. CEO Bilal Abu-Ghazaleh explains how integrated AI systems can address coordination challenges across complex operations, creating dynamic models that unify data and processes to optimize performance. The approach emphasizes human oversight, governance, auditability, and resilience, while leveraging locally controlled yet redundant systems. Applied AI is positioned as the next measure of national success, with progress defined by day-to-day operational deployment, data and model sovereignty, and the growth of domestic engineering capabilities.