Only a small percentage of creative agencies in the region use AI to any significant degree, writes Bold Group’s Mohamad Baalbaki
It all started with a morning chat with a technology expert over coffee. A question came into the middle of the conversation: Can we build an AI-based creative agency?
As a professional working in the creative industry in Saudi Arabia for the last 15 years or so, I have followed the latest technological trends and their impact on the industry.
The adoption of digital technologies has been rapid in the Saudi market, and we are now on par with global industry standards. However, using AI in creative agencies is still relatively new and largely unexplored.
The creative industry in Saudi Arabia is booming, thanks to the government’s direction with innovation and Vision 2030. In fact, according to a report by Research And Markets, the advertising and creative industry in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach a value of SAR 18.94bn ($5.05bn) by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.26 per cent during the forecast period (2021-2026).
However, as the industry grows, there is a need to improve efficiency and productivity to meet the increasing demand for creative services.
Traditional creative processes are time-consuming, labour-intensive and challenging to meet clients’ needs in a fast-paced environment.
Additionally, there is a growing demand for personalisation in creative work, which can be hard to achieve manually.
The creative industry in Saudi Arabia has been quick to adopt digital technologies, and the market is filled with creative agencies offering various services. However, the use of AI in the creative process is still limited.
According to a report by WARC, only 10 per cent of creative agencies in the Middle East and North Africa region use AI to any significant degree. While some agencies have experimented with AI-powered tools for tasks such as data analysis and automation, the full potential of AI in the industry remains untapped.
AI can revolutionise the creative industry in Saudi Arabia. Agencies can improve their efficiency, productivity and creativity by leveraging AI-powered tools.
AI can generate ideas and identify patterns, enabling creative professionals to focus on refining and enhancing the output. Moreover, AI-powered personalisation can enhance the customer experience and improve client satisfaction.
Saudi Arabian agencies must invest in the necessary tools and technologies to build an AI-based creative agency. Various AI-powered tools in the market can help creative professionals work smarter and more efficiently. For example, AI-powered tools like Canva and Adobe Sensei can help automate repetitive tasks, enabling designers to focus on the creative aspects of their work.
‘‘Agencies can improve their efficiency, productivity and creativity by leveraging Al tools”
Agencies can also leverage AI to analyse consumer data and create personalised content, improving customer experience and loyalty.
In addition, agencies can train their creative teams on how to use AI-powered tools and incorporate them into their workflow. This can help improve their output, streamline their processes and enhance their competitive edge.
The creative industry in Saudi Arabia is thriving and is expected to continue its growth trajectory. AI can further boost its potential, as it can help agencies improve their efficiency, productivity and creativity.
Agencies can leverage AI-powered tools to analyse consumer data, create personalised content, and automate repetitive tasks. Therefore, as the industry evolves, embracing technological advancements like AI and using them to drive growth and success in the Saudi creative market is essential.
By Mohamad Baalbaki, Co-Founder, Bold Group
