The Digital Drillers: Aramco and ADNOC’s Tech Pivot

Saudi Aramco and ADNOC invest billions in AI to boost efficiency, cut emissions, and diversify beyond oil

14 Nov 2025

Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company are accelerating investment in artificial intelligence as Gulf producers seek to improve operational efficiency and build businesses beyond crude output.

The shift is supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has launched the HUMAIN initiative to develop data centres, cloud platforms and other digital infrastructure. Officials say the programme is intended to give the region a larger role in the global technology economy while supporting long-term energy planning.

Executives at both national oil companies have been adopting AI tools to monitor fields, analyse geological data and automate maintenance. These systems are viewed as a way to curb operating costs and help meet emissions-reduction targets that governments across the Gulf have set for the coming decades.

Partnerships with companies such as Microsoft and Nvidia have been central to these efforts. Aramco and Adnoc have been working with technology providers to deploy advanced hardware and software inside their production networks, seeking faster data processing and more reliable forecasting models.

Industry analysts say the trend reflects a structural change in how energy groups operate. Oil companies are expanding digital units that sit alongside upstream and refining divisions, allowing them to sell data services and develop new commercial lines. Some officials argue that these activities may, over time, soften the region’s dependence on hydrocarbons.

“AI and digital technology will define the next generation of energy companies,” said an industry analyst. “The companies that embrace this shift now will be the ones leading the industry tomorrow.”

Consultancies note that the growing use of AI is likely to reshape supply chains. Service providers with strong digital capabilities are expected to benefit as national oil companies demand more integrated tools, while smaller firms without such capacity may face rising competition from both technology groups and diversified energy producers.

The Gulf’s push into AI and cloud computing comes as governments seek to maintain economic growth during an uncertain period for global oil demand. Officials in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have said that digital investment is intended to support existing energy output while preparing for a future in which data management plays a larger role in the sector.

Regional policymakers have signalled that spending on AI infrastructure will continue, describing it as a long-term commitment rather than a short-term response to market conditions.