Inside Saudi Arabia's Industrial AI Revolution: IFS Lays Out the Blueprint

Speaking exclusively to Riyadh Daily, IFS CEO “Mark Moffat” and “Rahul Misra”, SVP & Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, revealed how the company is partnering with Saudi organizations to drive innovation, AI adoption, and sustainable growth under Vision 2030.

- How do you see IFS’s position today in the global industrial software market? 

Mark Moffat:  At IFS, we firmly believe we’ve established ourselves as the world’s leading industrial software brand; What sets us apart is our focus on critical areas like asset and service capabilities, supply chain projects, asset health, and service management.

Unlike many traditional ERP systems that tend to be broad but shallow, we are so keen to provide specialized solutions that really make a difference to our customers. It’s rewarding to see respected analysts like Gartner recognize us as leaders in this field; it validates the hard work and innovation of our teams around the world and over the years of development. 

I’m personally proud of what we’ve built as an organization and the impact we’re facilitating the businesses growth of our customers and thrive. As more companies look to move away from outdated legacy systems, we’re in a strong position to support them with modern, future-ready technology. This technology helps them stay competitive in an ever-changing market.

- Why is Saudi Arabia considered a strategic market for IFS under Vision 2030? 

Mark Moffat:  Saudi Arabia is one of the most ambitious and forward-looking markets in the world. The Kingdom is undergoing a major transformation; it focuses on AI-driven infrastructure, improved manufacturing, and significant projects like NEOM and smart cities. It is creating a global and unique model for the future industrial economy. 

For IFS, having a strong presence in Saudi Arabia is essential. The scale and ambition of Vision 2030 motivate us to push boundaries and innovate, keeping our solutions relevant and effective for these transformative initiatives. 

We take great pride in being part of this journey, working hand-in-hand with Saudi organizations to deliver technology that empowers them to achieve their goals and build a sustainable, future-ready economy.

- Over the next five years, how do you see AI adoption progressing in Saudi Arabia? 

Mark Moffat:  In the coming years, we expect AI adoption to speed up quickly across the Kingdom. The first two years will likely focus on trials and pilot projects as organizations figure out how to best integrate AI into their operations. In industrial sectors, where reliability and precision are critical, it will take time for AI models to develop and meet the strict standards these industries require. By 2030, however, we expect AI to be widely used, leading to significant improvements in productivity and efficiency across various industries. While we can’t predict every detail of this change, one thing is clear: AI will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s industrial economy.

- Could you share some success stories of IFS in Saudi Arabia? 

Rahul Misra: Our focus on six key industries has helped us through strong partnerships with some of Saudi Arabia’s leading organizations, such as Saudi Electricity Company, Saudi Telecom, Wahaj IMI, MEPC, and SAMI. These partnerships show how IFS supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by promoting innovation, efficiency, and digital transformation. This year, at our IFS Connect event, we were proud to welcome more than 400 attendees; this is six times more than last year. This impressive growth shows the increased interest and trust from organizations in how IFS solutions can help them to manage complex operations and achieve measurable results.

- What are your plans for expanding your local and regional partner ecosystem? 

Rahul Misra: At the heart of our strategy is a deep commitment to creating in-country value, driving sustainable growth for Saudi Arabia today and in the future.”. Last year, we partnered with Saudi Business Machines (SBM) to launch the Digital Academy. This initiative aims to train and certify young Saudi talent in IFS technologies. We’re proud to say that the first 20 graduates have already been certified, with many more on the way. This shows the Kingdom’s growing pool of skilled digital professionals. Alongside this local effort, we continue to work with leading global partners like PwC, Accenture, and Deloitte. Their expertise supports local projects. For example, PwC collaborated with us to deliver critical solutions for the Saudi Electricity Company. This demonstrates how these partnerships create a real impact. This mix of strong local relationships and world-class global expertise ensures sustainable growth, not just for IFS and our partners, but for the Kingdom as a whole.