Why More Saudis Are Choosing AI Over Human Experts for Everyday Answers
ALKHOBAR — From designing a restaurant brand to building a workout plan, more Saudis are turning to digital assistants for answers before consulting human experts.
Tasks that once required a professional coach, tutor, or designer are increasingly becoming conversations with chatbots. This shift is redefining expertise as the Kingdom rapidly embraces smart technology, giving consumers faster and cheaper access to knowledge while forcing many professionals to rethink their roles.
Saudi Arabia ranks second globally for awareness of digital tools and fifth worldwide for sector growth, with more than one million citizens trained in data and computing skills through national initiatives.
Saving Time and Money
When Danya Al‑Hamr began developing the visual identity for her new restaurant, she expected branding to consume a large part of her budget. Instead of hiring a graphic designer, she opened a popular chatbot. “It suggested colors, typography, branding concepts and references that honestly exceeded my expectations,” she said. The decision saved her nearly SR3,000 ($799).
Yasser Al‑Saleh used a similar tool to design his fitness regimen instead of paying a personal trainer. “I entered my height, weight, goals, foods I like and foods I don’t,” he said. “It created a full nutrition plan and workout schedule.” Months later, he says the plan has delivered exactly what he wanted.
Professionals Adapt
But while consumers embrace the technology, many professionals are feeling the impact. Umaima Al‑Harbi, a fitness coach with 17 years of experience, has noticed fewer people seeking traditional coaching. Instead of resisting, she now recommends clients create their own plans using chatbots before booking a consultation. “People don’t always need someone to write everything from scratch anymore,” she said. “They need someone to tell them whether what the software produced is actually correct.”
Graphic designer Sarah Al‑Hajri has had to lower her prices to stay competitive as clients arrive with computer‑generated concepts. “Professional designers spend hours, sometimes days, developing something original that reflects a client’s identity,” she said. “People don’t always realize they’re sacrificing creativity and originality.”
English tutor Sami Al‑Sharif stopped offering private lessons this year. “There simply isn’t the same demand anymore,” he said. “People have video tutorials, language apps, and now digital tools.” Yet he notes that complex subjects like engineering still require human expertise.
Family physician Dr. Mohannad Al‑Qarni told Arab News that patients increasingly arrive at clinics after consulting digital tools rather than doctors. “It used to be doctor first, then search. Now for many, it’s digital first, then doctor.”
For many Saudis, human experts are no longer the first stop — they are the second opinion. The question is no longer whether smart tools can answer, but when will people still choose to ask an expert.
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