His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—may God protect them both—, opened the third year of the ninth term of the Shura Council, underscoring the continued royal support for the Council’s oversight and legislative role in reviewing regulations and evaluating the performance of government agencies.

The annual Royal Speech highlighted key milestones from the decade since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, noting that its programs have achieved 93% of their targets, non-oil exports have surged by 155%, and the private sector’s contribution has risen to 51%. It also designated 2026 as the year of “Artificial Intelligence”, reinforcing the Kingdom’s technological leadership.

On the regional and international fronts, the speech affirmed the resilience of the national economy in responding to changes in supply chains and energy crises. It also reviewed major defense initiatives, including the “Mecca Defense Pact” and the “Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance,” alongside the Kingdom’s steadfast position on regional issues and its support for stability in the region.

In this context, students from Al Yamamah University analyzed and discussed the themes and economic and developmental dimensions of the Royal Speech, as follows:

Diversifying Income Sources and Boosting Future Productivity

Student “Mishail Al-Anazi” @Meshail ALANazi shared her perspective, saying: “What has been achieved reflects clear progress in the economy, particularly with the growth of non-oil exports and the increased contribution of the private sector, which help reduce reliance on oil. The focus on artificial intelligence also boosts productivity and creates future jobs. Investment in education and healthcare, along with support for local companies, promotes sustainable development and strengthens our ability to face global changes and turn challenges into opportunities.”

Investing in People and Diversifying Sources of Growth

Student “Albatool Bedairi” @Albatool Bedairi explained the dimensions of development, saying: “Focusing on education and healthcare is a direct investment in human capital and the strength of the economy. Developing education prepares skilled professionals to navigate changes in the labor market and advances in artificial intelligence, while the healthcare sector improves quality of life. When combined with diversifying income sources, this investment reduces reliance on oil and gives the economy greater flexibility to adapt to supply-chain disruptions and global changes.”

Economic Diversification and Developing Future Talent

Student “Najd Faisal” @Najd Faisal offered a comprehensive analysis, saying: “The Vision’s results show a shift toward diversification and sustainability. Designating 2026 as the year of artificial intelligence is an important step, since AI is part of developing sectors and creating opportunities for young people. The focus on education and healthcare also reflects the importance of investing in people as a fundamental asset. An economy’s strength is measured by its ability to respond to change and turn challenges into innovative ideas and promising opportunities.”

Preparing National Talent for Future Opportunities

Student “Zikra Abdulkarim” @Zikra Abdulkareem affirmed the focus on sustainability, saying: “The focus on diversifying the economy, supporting the private sector, and advancing artificial intelligence reflects a clear move toward a more sustainable economy. Investment in education and technology in particular boosts productivity and prepares Saudi talent for future opportunities and jobs.”

Turning Figures into Jobs and Investment

Student “Dina Alarjani” @Dina Alarjani analyzed the impact of growth, saying: “The figures cited show that significant progress has been made toward the Vision’s targets and reducing reliance on oil. But what matters most is sustaining this growth and turning it into jobs and projects that benefit people. Artificial intelligence is an important step toward boosting productivity, provided young people are trained in it. Education and healthcare must also remain central priorities in developing qualified individuals.”

Economic Resilience and Harnessing Global Change

Student “Nouf Al-Ojayan” @Nouf Alojayan shared her view, saying: “Economic resilience is measured not only by the ability to weather crises, but also by the ability to use them to reprioritize and create new opportunities. Diversifying income sources, empowering promising sectors, and investing in human capital and technology all strengthen the economy’s ability to adapt to change.”

Enhancing International Competitiveness and Investment Diversity

Student “Rabiah Almugait” @Rabiah Almugait added: “Achieving 93% of the targets, growing non-oil exports by 155%, and increasing the private sector’s contribution to 51% clearly reflect progress in diversifying the economy and expanding the private sector’s role in supporting investment and creating opportunities. Continued development of sectors and technology will strengthen the economy’s competitiveness and its ability to achieve sustainable growth.”

From Ambition to Tangible Results

Our colleague “Lujain Al-Qurashi” @Lujain Algorashi highlighted the Vision’s outcomes, saying: “The speech reflects the Vision’s shift from ambition to tangible results through the growth of non-oil exports and the private sector’s contribution. Designating 2026 as the year of artificial intelligence will boost productivity and develop future skills, while the Public Investment Fund’s strategy strengthens local content and globally competitive companies, with people at its heart.”

Economic Security and Opportunities for Startups

Student “Fay Al-Dossari” @Fay Aldossari identified two angles of analysis, saying: “I see the speech from two perspectives: security, reflected in a stable economy that is no longer controlled by oil prices now that the private sector contributes 51%; and opportunity, reflected in designating 2026 as the year of artificial intelligence and supporting local content. This is the ideal time to launch startups and offer technology solutions rather than wait for a traditional job.”

Preparing Early for Future Challenges

Student “Jumana Al-Shehri” @Jumana Alshehri said: “The current results reflect the Vision’s success in reducing reliance on oil. The focus on artificial intelligence, education, and healthcare is important to sustaining this growth because it is not only about today’s economy; it also prepares the Kingdom for the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

Sustaining Growth and Increasing Local Content

Student “Nouf Al-Anazi” @Noof Alanazi highlighted the next phase, saying: “The Vision’s indicators reflect a shift toward a more diverse economy. The next phase should focus on sustaining growth by strengthening the role of the private sector and the Public Investment Fund, increasing local content, building competitive companies, and using artificial intelligence to boost productivity, while continuing to support education and healthcare.”

Connecting Education Outcomes with the Labor Market

Student “Yazan Hamoud” @Yazan Hamoud explained the importance of institutional integration, saying: “The next phase is not just about achieving more targets, but about turning current results into sustainable growth by using artificial intelligence to boost productivity, reduce costs, and create jobs. The success of this transformation depends on education to prevent a gap between technology and the labor market. Connecting education, technology, and the private sector will have the greatest impact.”

Building National Companies and Fostering Innovation

Student “Rahaf Al-Anazi” @Rahaf Alanazi pointed to the structural dimensions, saying: “The indicators reflect progress in diversifying income sources and increasing private-sector participation. The focus on artificial intelligence, education, and healthcare supports innovation and improves sector efficiency. The Public Investment Fund’s role in supporting companies and local content also helps create more economic opportunities and address change.”

Budget Priorities and Investing in People

Student “Ahmed Al-Jadaan” @AHMED ALJADAAN drew attention to the budget, saying: “The continued focus on education and healthcare confirms that ‘investing in people’ is the leadership’s top priority. Developing education to meet future labor-market needs and improving healthcare services are the foundation of any economic renaissance, and investing in them is a direct investment in quality of life.”

Reaping the Rewards and Shifting Toward Diversification

Student “Ryouf Al-Sewailim” @Ryouf Alsewailim highlighted the Vision’s comprehensive nature, saying: “The speech shows that the Vision has moved from planning to reaping the rewards, as the economy shifts toward diversification and sustainability. Designating 2026 for artificial intelligence marks the next driver of productivity growth and high-quality jobs, supported by the Public Investment Fund’s role in increasing local content and building globally competitive companies, alongside investment in people.”

Historic Transformation and Diverse Development Partnerships

Student “Fahad Al-Ruwaished” @Fahad Alruwaished shared his analysis, saying: “The Crown Prince’s speech demonstrates a historic transformation and genuine strength in our economy. Ten years on, 93% of the Vision’s targets have been achieved, the private sector’s contribution has risen to 51%, and non-oil exports have grown by 155%, showing a decline in reliance on oil. Designating 2026 for artificial intelligence will open the door to new jobs and boost productivity, while the Public Investment Fund continues to support national companies and local content, and the budget prioritizes healthcare and education to invest in people.”

Cash Flows and the Transformation of the Financial Structure

Student “Arwa Al-Huwaiti” @Arwa Alhuwaiti outlined the financial perspective, saying: “The private sector’s contribution rising to 51% and non-oil exports growing by 155% reflect a significant transformation in the structure of the Saudi economy and a reduction in reliance on oil as the main source of growth. Expansion in non-oil activities supports revenue diversification and increases investment opportunities and cash flows, alongside spending on artificial intelligence and technology. Sustainability will continue to depend on the private sector’s ability to turn opportunities into profits and sustained cash flows.”

Sustaining Results and Turning Technology into Economic Value

Student “Mohammad Al-Ghaihab” @Mohammad Alghaihab highlighted the sustainability of performance, saying: “The figures cited are positive and reflect clear progress in economic diversification, but the next phase will be about proving that these results are sustainable and expanding the contribution of non-oil activities. The focus on artificial intelligence will also be a key driver, provided it moves beyond investment and initiatives to deliver real productivity gains and measurable economic value that increases the economy’s resilience to changes in global markets.”

Tangible Evidence and Absorbing Global Shocks

Student “Abdulrahman Al-Tamimi” offered an analytical perspective, saying: “The speech confirms with figures that we are seeing tangible results: achieving 93% of the targets, growing exports, and the private sector’s contribution exceeding 51% show that direct reliance on oil is fading and that the economy has more than one driver. Designating a year for artificial intelligence will boost productivity in the logistics, industrial, and healthcare sectors, while the Public Investment Fund acts as a driver of local content and supply chains. Investment in healthcare and education remains a cornerstone of developing people and the country’s ability to absorb international shocks and turn them into opportunities for growth.”

A Mature Vision and the Gains from Strategic Partnerships

Student “Mohammad Al-Masoud” highlighted the speech’s broader dimensions, saying: “The speech reflects a confident period of maturity in which the Vision has moved from future plans to a reality backed by tangible figures. It also points to the development of defense and geopolitical strength based on strategic partnerships to protect economic growth and ensure its sustainability amid regional crises. We can learn from this the state’s overall direction toward promising future sectors such as artificial intelligence and mining, and take confidence in the resilience of the national economy. It also underscores the importance of building independent alliances and protecting waterways to safeguard national achievements and future generations.”

Economic Resilience and Maximizing Sustainable Returns

In an analytical assessment, financial and economic analyst “Hamad Alsaeed” @Hamad Alsaeed added: Perhaps the most notable message in the annual Royal Speech to the Shura Council was the link between the results of economic diversification and the Kingdom’s ability to manage crises. The private sector’s 51% contribution means that more than half of output is now generated by activity less exposed to fluctuations in oil markets. Meanwhile, 155% growth in non-oil exports since 2016 has broadened sources of foreign currency and given the economy a more balanced revenue base.

Looking ahead, the emphasis on directing resources toward areas with the greatest impact, and on the Public Investment Fund’s partnership with the private sector and its sustainable financial returns, signals a shift from a phase of establishing foundations to one of maximizing returns. The focus on artificial intelligence and human capital supports this direction, as both are sources of productivity.

The private sector is expected to drive an increasing share of growth and investment in the remaining years of the Vision, with productivity becoming the main engine of the non-oil economy and helping sustain the progress made over the past decade.