Business leaders have been cautioned by a seasoned AI consultant from Saudi Arabia that any delays in embracing artificial intelligence technology may render them obsolete. Companies that fail to integrate AI into their strategies risk falling behind their more agile counterparts.
Mohammed Alqarni, a prominent academic and CEO of the Saudi AI consultancy Foresighted, stresses the critical necessity for businesses to begin AI experimentation immediately. Alqarni’s message is stark: “AI will not replace your job — someone using AI will replace your job.”
Foresighted collaborates with senior executives to deepen their comprehension of AI’s potential and its limitations. The firm’s mission is to foster the creation of innovative business models and seamlessly incorporate AI into existing business strategies. Alqarni emphasizes that business leaders possess the deepest understanding of their enterprises, and he aims to educate them on both the capabilities and constraints of AI.
Currently, Alqarni is crafting a ‘generative AI organizational transformation framework,’ which evaluates AI’s significant impact areas, particularly on various job roles, including those in upper management. His preliminary findings suggest that AI’s influence grows with the complexity of the job role, with managerial positions likely to experience a substantial effect due to their data-driven nature.
Alqarni warns business leaders against complacency in the face of AI-driven industry changes. He foresees that executives and companies that hesitate to adopt AI will inevitably find themselves out of business. Alqarni advises that business experimentation with AI should start without delay and that leaders should foster a culture of innovation and experimentation among their teams.
Some executives resist AI adoption due to time constraints or fear of job displacement, but Alqarni argues that the transition, while potentially difficult, is essential. He draws comparisons to the industrial revolution, predicting that although AI will transform the job market, new roles will emerge just as they did in the past. Alqarni’s main concern is the accelerated pace of AI development compared to historical industrial changes.
To secure jobs in this transformative era, Alqarni suggests that re-skilling the workforce is crucial. He advocates for up-skilling employees in changing roles and preparing Saudi Arabia’s youth for the swiftly evolving job market by aligning with Vision 2030’s objectives. This alignment, Alqarni believes, is imperative for ensuring that job creation meets the upcoming demand, a factor that currently lacks sufficient attention.