How AI is transforming Saudi Arabia’s digital services through Tawakkalna

Special How AI is transforming Saudi Arabia’s digital services through Tawakkalna
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Updated 06 February 2025
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How AI is transforming Saudi Arabia’s digital services through Tawakkalna

How AI is transforming Saudi Arabia’s digital services through Tawakkalna
  • Originally launched for COVID-19 management, the app now offers over 600 government services, streamlining daily tasks
  • The platform integrates AI to enhance digital governance, user accessibility, and service efficiency, supporting Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: As governments worldwide embrace digital transformation, artificial intelligence is playing a pivotal role in making public services more accessible and user-friendly.

From streamlining bureaucratic processes to enhancing user experiences, AI-driven platforms are redefining how citizens interact with their governments.

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this revolution, with its Tawakkalna app emerging as a model for digital governance and AI integration.

Originally introduced in 2020 to manage COVID-19 restrictions, Tawakkalna has since evolved into a comprehensive digital hub, providing seamless access to more than 600 government services.

Available in seven languages and accessible in 77 countries, the app has become an indispensable tool for Saudi citizens, residents and visitors alike.

From managing personal data, medical records and professional documents to accessing religious, educational,and legal services, Tawakkalna consolidates essential services into a single, user-friendly interface.

Users can request an ambulance, register for organ donation, access weather forecasts, or even find volunteering opportunities — all at their fingertips.

“In the context of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has placed AI at the core of its economic diversification strategy,” Muhammad Khurram Khan, a professor of cybersecurity at King Saud University in Riyadh, told Arab News.

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“The Kingdom aims to become a global leader in AI, positioning the technology as a key enabler of smart cities, digital governance and advanced industries.”

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, which oversees Tawakkalna, has continually updated the platform to improve efficiency and user experience.

In October 2023, the launch of Tawakkalna 2.0 marked a significant milestone in the app’s development, enhancing accessibility and streamlining government services.

Key features introduced in Tawakkalna 2.0 include a redesigned homepage for quick access to essential services and Wakeb services, a real-time update system that keeps users informed about important developments.

The platform also allows government and private sector partners to engage directly with users, further enriching the digital experience.

“Tawakkalna is not just a success story of a government app, but a model of how AI can be harnessed to drive innovation in the public sector, transforming digital governance and significantly enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike in Saudi Arabia,” said Khan.

“As AI continues to drive the evolution of digital services, Tawakkalna stands as an example for other nations, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a leader in the global AI race.”

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative places digital transformation at the heart of national development. The government is actively integrating AI across sectors to enhance efficiency, transparency and accessibility.

Tawakkalna exemplifies this vision, allowing users to handle administrative tasks in a matter of seconds — errands that would otherwise require lengthy in-person visits to government offices.

With a focus on continuous improvement, Tawakkalna has expanded to include legal and business services such as Najiz, a Ministry of Justice classification service; university and training institution portals; and business sector support.




Find donation opportunities through Ehsan services on the Tawakkalna app. (X/Tawakkalna)

This reflects the Kingdom’s broader goal of fostering a thriving digital economy.

The success of Tawakkalna has not gone unnoticed. The app was named the top government platform in the Kingdom’s Digital Experience Maturity Index for 2024 and received the UN Public Service Award in 2022 for its innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The app’s journey from a pandemic management tool to a full-fledged super app underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leveraging AI for public service excellence.

It also highlights how digital governance, when executed effectively, can simplify daily life while boosting efficiency and inclusivity.

As Tawakkalna continues to evolve, the SDAIA is exploring further enhancements to ensure the platform remains at the cutting edge of digital transformation.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Saudi Arabia has digitized 97 percent of all government services.

• The Kingdom ranked fourth globally on the UN’s E-Government Development Index for 2024.

• The Tawakkalna app offers access to over 600 e-government services, including justice, health, education, and tourism.

Plans include expanding AI-driven personalization, integrating more predictive analytics for user needs and leveraging blockchain for greater security in government transactions.

For users in Saudi Arabia and beyond, the message is clear: Digital transformation is no longer a distant vision but a reality shaping everyday life.

Through AI-powered initiatives like Tawakkalna, the Kingdom is setting a precedent for how governments worldwide can embrace technology to create smarter, more efficient societies.

 


Riyadh Municipality to host cultural tent event

Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
Updated 18 March 2025
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Riyadh Municipality to host cultural tent event

Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
  • Cultural tent celebrates the diversity of the cultural and artistic scene in the Kingdom, allowing visitors to interact with literature, arts and heritage

RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event will include activities for families, including a children’s face-painting corner, and attendees will be able to join PlayStation League competitions that offer challenges suitable for different age groups.

Live cooking shows will allow visitors to learn about the diversity of Saudi cuisine, and local entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to display their products in local stores.

Additionally, the cultural tent will exhibit books, pictures and manuscripts about Riyadh’s heritage.

The cultural tent celebrates the diversity of the cultural and artistic scene in the Kingdom, allowing visitors to interact with literature, arts and heritage.

The event is part of efforts by Riyadh Municipality to improve quality of life for residents in the Saudi capital, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Everyone is welcome to attend the events, which run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
  • Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned and denounced renewed violence in Gaza after Israel unleashed its most intense strikes overnight since a ceasefire was established two months ago.

The health ministry in Gaza said more than 400 people were killed after the strikes that took place during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians.

Saudi Arabia also said it was important that the international community fulfilled its responsibilities by intervening immediately to put an end to Israeli crimes and stop the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people.

Gaza’s health ministry said the bodies of 413 people had been received by the territory’s hospitals, adding “a number of victims are still under the rubble.”


Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis

Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis
Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis

Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis
  • This cabinet also strong condemned the resumption of Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the Gaza

The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized the urgent need for the international community to take immediate action to halt these atrocities and put an end to the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.

This came following the strong condemnation of the resumption of Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The cabinet continued to follow up on developments in the Arab, regional, and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom’s firm positions on these matters and affirming its ongoing support for efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region and globally.

During the session, the crown prince briefed the cabinet on the contents of two phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.


Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
  • Excavation uncovers artifacts, city layout from historic port city on Maritime Silk Road

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in Al-Lith governorate, Makkah region.

The project was carried out in collaboration with China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration as part of a bilateral agreement to exchange expertise in archaeological excavation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It coincides with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, which features joint cultural initiatives. The goal is to strengthen cultural exchange and highlight historical ties between the two civilizations through the Silk Road.

The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia and China’s commitment to supporting historical research and documenting shared heritage, the SPA reported.

The excavation aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the site by studying residential areas, city planning and connections to other urban centers. It also sought to document structural features, including parts of the city wall, towers and gates.

Researchers uncovered various artifacts, including pottery, stone vessels, decorative items, a gold dinar from the mid-second Hijri century and Chinese porcelain. Gravestones with unique carvings were also found.

The survey identified key architectural features, including wall foundations and gravestones, highlighting the site’s significance along the Maritime Silk Road.

The port city thrived until the late third Hijri century, reaching its peak in the fifth and sixth Hijri centuries. It remains one of the largest archaeological sites on the Red Sea coast, according to the SPA.

The Heritage Commission is committed to preserving antiquities and advancing archaeological research across the Kingdom, the SPA added.

It also aims to expand cooperation with local and international partners in line with Vision 2030, promoting culture and ensuring the sustainability of heritage for future generations.


Inauguration held for Riyadh center for homeless women

Inauguration held for Riyadh center for homeless women
Updated 18 March 2025
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Inauguration held for Riyadh center for homeless women

Inauguration held for Riyadh center for homeless women

RIYADH: An inauguration ceremony was held for a center in Riyadh that will provide support for homeless women to reintegrate into society, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The center will offer a range of medical, psychological and rehabilitation services, and will be run by the National Society for Community Services (Ajwad).

It is being developed in partnership with the Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Charitable Foundation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Ajlan, vice chairman of the board of directors of Ajwad, emphasized the association’s commitment to providing integrated care for the Kingdom’s neediest groups.

He also praised the support provided by the organization’s strategic partners.

Ajwad was founded in 2017 with its board of directors headed by Saudi Arabia’s minister of health.

The association’s main focus is to provide services to the homeless and mentally ill in the Kingdom.