It is a transition happening at an incredible speed. The move toward the future of work is being accelerated by AI. And in Saudi Arabia, that journey is unfolding faster than in many other nations.
Here, 2026 has been designated the Year of Artificial Intelligence, and workplaces are adopting new ways of working designed to be faster, more connected and easier to manage.
“The focus is not just on adopting new technologies, but on how they come together to improve the way people work,” said Fadle Saad, managing director, HP MENA regional headquarters.
But there is also a point of tension. Organizations can only realize these benefits if their technology works together seamlessly.
“When systems don’t connect, organizations don’t get the full value of their investment,” Saad added.
Without that connection, technology risks becoming a collection of tools rather than a connected experience that improves productivity and performance.
Rethinking the role of workplace technology
Currently, work is fragmented within many businesses. Data and workflows across devices, apps and spaces remain disconnected, even as access to technology reaches new highs.
“There is no shortage of technology, but too often it operates in silos,” Saad said.
Hybrid work enables flexibility, but without the right strategy, it can increase complexity rather than reduce it. At the same time, 68 percent of Saudi workers say expectations have increased, according to the HP Work Relationship Index 2025, while only a third report a healthy relationship with work.
“The issue isn’t whether people have access to technology — they do,” Saad said. “It’s whether that technology creates flow or friction,” he said.
From more tools to less friction
The future of work will be defined by how seamlessly people can move through their day. That requires a shift, going from adding tools to removing friction.
“The organizations that succeed will be the ones that reduce complexity, not add to it,” Saad said.
It also requires greater diligence at the procurement stage. Organizations must assess how new tools work alongside existing systems, not just how they perform individually.
The goal is to create a connected experience, where work breaks out of silos and becomes more intuitive.
“Every solution needs to fit into a broader ecosystem. When systems are connected, data flows to the people who need it, and work becomes simpler,” Saad added.
Continuity should be the rule, not the exception. When boundaries are removed, collaboration improves and organizations become more innovative.
Why Saudi Arabia is moving faster than most
Saudi Arabia is well positioned to embrace this shift, with strong national ambition, infrastructure and a growing talent base.
“Saudi Arabia is creating the conditions for a new model of work, and it’s setting precedents that could be replicated in other markets around the world,” Saad said.
Four in 10 employees already use AI every day in Saudi Arabia, according to the HP Work Relationship Index 2025. This is a figure that will continue to rise. Vision 2030 is turning the Kingdom into a testbed for the future of work, where skills, technology and experience are evolving together.
With investment in smart cities, cloud and data infrastructure, and digital platforms, the aim is to create seamless services and enable hybrid work at scale.
“This isn’t retrofitted connectedness, it’s seamless workflows by design — from the beginning,” Saad said.
From connected devices to connected experiences
This shift is changing how organizations approach technology. The focus is moving beyond individual tools toward a unified experience across the workplace.
“We’re seeing a shift from managing devices to enabling connected experiences,” Saad said. “At HP, this is reflected in an approach that brings together devices, workspaces and workflows into a connected ecosystem. Intelligence plays a central role.”
“Intelligence acts as the connective layer, helping systems work together more seamlessly,” he added.
Capabilities such as HP IQ and platforms like the Workforce Experience Platform help organizations reduce friction and resolve issues before they impact productivity.
“This allows organizations to move from reactive to proactive support,” he said.
The result is a more adaptive workplace, where collaboration is faster and technology supports outcomes.
The workplaces that win will feel effortless
As AI becomes embedded in daily work, the need for systems that reduce friction will grow. “Organizations are looking for solutions that can scale without adding complexity,” Saad said.
The most successful businesses won’t be those with the most tools, but those that enable coordinated, seamless work.
“For most workers, the best tools are the ones they barely notice,” Saad said. “They fade into the background and connect people to their work, their colleagues and their flow.”
