عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

ServiceNow CEO: Saudi Tech Boom, Innovation Drive Investment

ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott takes part in the LEAP 24 global tech conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott takes part in the LEAP 24 global tech conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

ServiceNow CEO: Saudi Tech Boom, Innovation Drive Investment

ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott takes part in the LEAP 24 global tech conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott takes part in the LEAP 24 global tech conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott has praised Saudi Arabia’s impressive innovation drive, led by its ambitious tech initiatives.

He cited Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Engineer Abdullah Alswaha’s remarks at the LEAP 24 conference, noting the Kingdom’s rapid digital growth and aspirations to become the region’s top digital market.

McDermott, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of LEAP 24, praised the enthusiasm of 230,000 young Saudis at the conference, all dedicated to advancing the country’s digital economy.

He attributed their motivation to the supportive environment fostered by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and his team.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, McDermott underscored the importance of such factors in ensuring success in the Kingdom.

Investing in Saudi Arabia

Explaining why ServiceNow is investing in Saudi Arabia, McDermott said the Kingdom’s booming market and tech innovation promise significant progress.

He also revealed the US-based tech company inking several deals at LEAP 24. One such deal is a partnership with the Garage project, supporting startups in Riyadh.

McDermott said his company is looking to train Saudi youth on its platform, hire graduates, and open job opportunities.

Moreover, ServiceNow is also establishing a new regional headquarters in Riyadh and plans to invest $500 million and open a data center to support the Kingdom’s growth.

He conveyed his company’s excitement to be part of Saudi Arabia’s journey.

AI revolution

McDermott sees the AI revolution as significant as the iPhone’s launch. He said his company is using AI to drive digital transformation in the tech and information industry’s largest market.

He explained that ServiceNow, a top software firm in digital workflow management, is now incorporating AI into its operations for digital transformation.

According to McDermott, companies are at a crucial moment with AI.

He revealed that ServiceNow is now working to combine cloud computing, digital transformation, and modern AI.

ServiceNow’s ambitions

McDermott highlighted ServiceNow’s presence in Saudi Arabia since 2011, noting ongoing projects and collaborations, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, such as transforming business processes with the Ministry of Justice and bolstering employee services with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

He highlighted partnerships with firms like Deloitte for public sector digital transformation and teased upcoming projects.

Moreover, McDermott expressed his goal of making Saudi Arabia a global leader in the sector by prioritizing youth training, business innovation, and AI development to improve services and user experiences.

He aims to establish ServiceNow as the leading enterprise software company of the 21st century and sees Saudi Arabia as a key partner in achieving this goal, anticipating a positive embrace of innovation to boost millions of lives.

Saudi Arabia: A major player in global tech

When asked about Saudi Arabia’s role in global technology, McDermott confidently stated that the Kingdom won't just be a player; it will be a leader in global tech.

This is a crucial moment for the Kingdom, and that strong steps are needed to boost the sector, he remarked.

Many challenges exist, but with ServiceNow’s AI platform, matters can be simplified, he went on to say.

McDermott said his company is looking to streamline workflows and enhance user experiences creatively.

Noting constant improvement, he revealed that users can now talk to the system naturally and easily analyze complex data, dubbing it a big leap forward.

Tech’s new worries

When asked about concerns over new AI outsmarting humans, he stressed that while AI could surpass humans in some areas, the key is ensuring it serves humanity.

Technology’s main purpose is to improve human lives, stressed McDermott, adding that the risk is humans being controlled by tech.

Humans must be kept in charge, affirmed McDermott.

He recalled a 1966 Time magazine article predicting computers would take over most jobs, but today, there are 90 million tech jobs in the US alone.

Furthermore, he revealed that ServiceNow is working on a vast linguistic database to boost AI responses, using carefully collected data.

Great strides forward

McDermott wrapped up by lauding the impressive advancements in the Kingdom, saying that he is truly impressed by Crown Prince Mohammed’s efforts for women’s rights.

This is crucial for ServiceNow, where half of the staff will be women, he noted.

Half of ServiceNow’s leaders are already women.

McDermott stressed that his company plans to uphold this balance because this approach fosters remarkable productivity.

When workplaces promote diversity, fairness, and inclusion, it boosts success, he emphasized.

Saudi Arabia even outshines Silicon Valley in embracing this approach, said McDermott.

Offering advice to Saudi talents, McDermott said embracing the present is key.

With AI advancing rapidly, there are vast opportunities, he added.

ServiceNow provides a top platform in this field, offering job openings in the Kingdom and beyond.

Inviting Saudis to join his company, McDermott revealed that ServiceNow is partnering with the Saudi Digital Academy to train countless young people.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

JMMC Holds 65th Meeting via Videoconference, Discusses Energy Security and Market Stability

General view of Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
General view of Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
TT
TT

JMMC Holds 65th Meeting via Videoconference, Discusses Energy Security and Market Stability

General view of Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
General view of Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah

The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), comprising Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Algeria and Venezuela holds its 65th Meeting via videoconference.

The JMMC reviewed current market conditions and emphasized the essential role of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) in supporting the stability of global energy markets, according to SPA.

In this context, the committee highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding international maritime routes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy.

It also expressed concern regarding attacks on energy infrastructure, noting that restoring damaged energy assets to full capacity is both costly and takes a long time, thereby affecting overall supply availability.

Accordingly, the committee stressed that any actions undermining energy supply security, whether through attacks on infrastructure or disruption of international maritime routes, increase market volatility and weaken the collective efforts under the DoC to support market stability for the benefit of producers, consumers, and the global economy.

In this regard, the committee commended the DoC countries that took the initiative to ensure the continued availability of supplies, particularly through the use of alternative export routes, which have contributed to reducing market volatility.

The JMMC will continue to closely monitor market conditions and retains the authority to convene additional meetings or request an OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, as established at the 38th ONOMM held on December 5 2024.

The next meeting of the JMMC (66th) is scheduled for June 7, 2026.

Business

Saudi Market Edges Higher on Insurance and Basic Materials Support

An investor monitors stock prices on a screen at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh (AFP)
An investor monitors stock prices on a screen at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh (AFP)
TT
TT

Saudi Market Edges Higher on Insurance and Basic Materials Support

An investor monitors stock prices on a screen at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh (AFP)
An investor monitors stock prices on a screen at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) edged up 0.03 percent to 11,272 points on Sunday, supported by insurance and basic materials stocks. Total traded value reached SAR 4.27 billion ($1.1 billion).

Shares of Petro Rabigh and The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) rose 1 percent and 1.5 percent to SAR 10.9 and SAR 32.6, respectively.

Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. (Amiantit) led gainers, rising 10 percent to SAR 15.63. In the materials sector, SABIC and Maaden advanced 0.84 percent and 0.46 percent to SAR 60.05 and SAR 65.7, respectively.

In insurance, The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) and Bupa Arabia climbed 1 percent and 2 percent to SAR 127.3 and SAR 174.1, respectively. Almarai rose 1.2 percent to SAR 44.48 after reporting its Q1 2029 results.

On the downside, Saudi Aramco—the index heavyweight—declined 0.22 percent to SAR 27.54.

ACWA Power fell about 1 percent to SAR 168 after announcing last week a temporary curtailment of power output at two of its solar projects. Emaar The Economic City (Emaar EC) was the biggest decliner, falling 7.6 percent to SAR 10.88.

Business

Saudi Airports Serve as Safety Valve for Regional Air Traffic as ‘Hormuz Fallout’ Hits Global Aviation

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Airports Serve as Safety Valve for Regional Air Traffic as ‘Hormuz Fallout’ Hits Global Aviation

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)

Conflicts in the region are no longer confined to the geography of battlefields; their fallout has reached one of the world’s most vital and sensitive industries: aviation. Today, travelers and airlines alike face a harsh reality driven by record surges in jet fuel prices and a steep spike in insurance costs, pressures that have pushed ticket prices higher, threatening a severe economic squeeze that could derail global tourism plans and reshape travel patterns long taken for granted.

The surge in aviation costs cannot be separated from the turmoil in global energy markets. The link between crude oil and jet fuel prices peaked in early April 2026. As market confidence wavered amid US military threats, crude prices jumped to record levels due to the direct risk to supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, setting off an immediate spike in jet fuel prices. Given that jet fuel is among the most valuable refined products from a barrel of oil, these unprecedented crude levels pushed aviation fuel to nearly double its 2025 levels.

Compound pressures and a tourism slowdown

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, aviation and airport management expert AlMotaz Al-Mirah said the current tensions, in an industry already operating on thin margins, are quickly reflected in both pricing and demand across the tourism sector.

“The rise in ticket prices today is not driven by a single factor,” he said, “but by a combination of pressures: higher fuel consumption, longer routes, elevated insurance costs, and reduced operational efficiency.”

The World Travel & Tourism Council confirmed that “the escalating conflict in Iran is already impacting travel and tourism across the Middle East by no less than $600 million per day in international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, traveler confidence, and regional connectivity weigh on demand.”

According to council data released in March, the Middle East plays a critical role in global travel, accounting for 5 percent of international arrivals and 14 percent of global transit traffic. Any disruption reverberates worldwide, affecting airports, airlines, hotels, car rental firms, and cruise lines.

The family travel bill

On leisure travel, Al-Mirah said fare increases have ranged from 15 percent to 70 percent across many routes- higher still on long-haul flights.

“A ticket that used to cost $500 now ranges between $800 and $1,000,” he noted, “meaning an increase of up to $2,000 for a family of four.” This is forcing many travelers to delay trips or opt for closer destinations, reshaping demand across regional markets.

He detailed the price surge since the crisis began in late February: jet fuel rose from around $85–90 per barrel to between $150 and $200. This has driven the cost per flight hour for long-haul aircraft from an average of $10,000 to more than $18,000 in some cases. A flight carrying 180 passengers could see total additional costs of about $15,000, forcing airlines to add roughly $80 per ticket just to break even.

Globally, Brazil’s Petrobras raised jet fuel prices by about 55 percent in early April, while the Philippines warned that some aircraft could be grounded due to fuel shortages, and Taiwanese carriers are preparing to increase international fuel surcharges by 157 percent.

Longer routes, heavier maintenance burdens

Al-Mirah explained that longer flight times to avoid unstable airspace carry steep financial costs, with each additional hour adding between $5,000 and $7,500. Route changes extending flight durations by one to two hours have increased fuel consumption by up to 30 percent. More time in the air also accelerates engine wear.

The strain goes beyond fuel. Increased flight hours speed up the deterioration of engines and components, bringing forward maintenance schedules and raising annual servicing costs- ultimately reducing fleet efficiency.

Airlines are also grappling with sharply higher war-risk insurance premiums. While such costs typically account for no more than 1 percent of total operating expenses, they have surged by between 50 percent and 500 percent in the current crisis, according to a March 2026 report by Lockton.

This buildup of fuel and insurance costs threatens to turn profitable routes into loss-making ones, potentially forcing cash-strapped or low-cost carriers to suspend some routes temporarily to preserve financial stability.

An aircraft from Riyadh Air at Le Bourget Airport (Reuters)

Saudi airports support regional air traffic

Amid these complexities, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has deployed its capabilities to activate regional support protocols. Gulf airlines have shifted logistical operations to Saudi airports to keep regional air traffic safe and moving.

The authority announced that the Kingdom received more than 120 flights from neighboring countries’ carriers between February 28 and March 16, including Qatar Airways, Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, and Gulf Air.