Harnessing AI to transform non-profit social entities in Saudi Arabia

Introduction 

As part of the socio-economic transformations underway across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), governments are investing heavily in social welfare, jobs, healthcare and education to meet rising public expectations.  

Social non-profit organisations (NPOs) play a vital role in delivering many of  these services, and AI offers a powerful way to expand their impact without necessarily increasing costs. By analysing data and uncovering patterns, AI enables better informed decisions, more accurate forecasting and programmes that respond to real community needs. Automated insights also help direct resources where they are needed most  – improving both efficiency and equity in service delivery.   

At PwC, we believe the greatest value from AI comes when it is integrated at the operating model level, where strategy, data, governance and organisational practices converge to create sustainable, scalable impact. Broader adoption of AI in the GCC’s social sector also requires a resilient, collaborative ecosystem – one that enables solutions to scale, amplifies impact across communities and ensures NPOs and governments remain closely aligned in delivering long-term, measurable outcomes.  

Saudi Arabia’s growing non-profit sector 

Saudi Arabia’s non-profit sector has witnessed strong growth in the first half of 2024 with nearly 5,000 organisations strong with 105,000 volunteers – and is playing an increasingly vital role in national development.¹  

Strong collaboration, regulatory compliance and transparent oversight have been crucial to maximise the sector’s social and economic impact in line with Vision 2030 goals. Building on these foundations, there is an opportunity to further expand the sector’s role in addressing social challenges, improving service delivery, and supporting employment and broader societal development.²

For social NPOs in the Kingdom, AI presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable outcomes – empowering them to design and deliver more effective, evidence-based programmes that address the region’s evolving needs.³  By providing data-driven insights, AI ensures that programmes align with intended outcomes, improving funding efficiency and the effectiveness of interventions.   

By embracing AI, social NPOs in the Kingdom can position themselves at the forefront of innovation, building data-driven, inclusive, and future-ready social programmes. 

Contributors