Saudi Arabia Leads Future Industries with 4,000 Smart Factories, Industry Minister Says

The third annual Saudi Forum for 4IR concluded yesterday, bringing together ministers, experts, and innovators from within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad. The event was organized by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia (C4IR Saudi Arabia) in partnership with the World Economic Forum and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).

 During a panel discussion titled “Industrial Leadership in the Era of Convergence,” Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef announced a major shift. He affirmed that the Kingdom's industrial leadership is now focused on driving future industries, rather than merely keeping pace with global developments. The panel was moderated by C4IR Saudi Arabia Managing Director Dr. Basma AlBuhairan.

 Alkhorayef explained that the transformation is being realized by upgrading more than 4,000 factories into smart facilities that rely on artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and 3D printing, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which places technology, innovation, and sustainability at the core of industrial growth.

 He added that the ministry is building new industrial capabilities designed for future technologies while developing digital infrastructure, nurturing national talent, and enhancing a regulatory environment that attracts investment to ensure the safe and effective adoption of modern technologies.

 The forum’s agenda included 12 panel discussions covering the integration of drones, satellites, and AI, and the evolution of smart factories and digital twins and their role in boosting production efficiency. The sessions addressed global best practices in advanced factories and approaches to localizing them in the Kingdom; the future of AI in transportation, industry, and healthcare; and the impact of quantum technologies on strengthening trust and global cybersecurity.

 Participants explored KACST’s Advanced Manufacturing Centre through an interactive virtual metaverse experience led by Dr. Ibrahim AlShunaifi, an expert researcher and project leader at KACST. The experience showcased key additive and subtractive manufacturing facilities and smart logistics, reflecting the technological advancement of the national manufacturing ecosystem.

 Discussions examined the global shift from physical capital to knowledge capital, highlighting that mental well-being and continuous learning will become defining pillars of national competitiveness. Speakers emphasized the role of youth and technology entrepreneurs in shaping the age of AI through innovation and venture creation, noting that investment in people is the true driver of future industries.

 On the sidelines of the forum, the digital “PeerLink” platform was launched to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by connecting them through a digital network for knowledge exchange and industrial transformation.

 Three publications were released with the World Economic Forum: “Deployment Pathways for Advanced Air Mobility — Lessons from Early Implementation in Saudi Arabia,” “From Barriers to Breakthroughs: How Peer-to-Peer Learning Can Help SMEs Embrace Digital Transformation,” and a joint paper with C4IR India titled “Building Communities for Impact: Lessons from the Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India and Saudi Arabia.”