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E-commerce in �������� is booming. According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, online spending via mada cards surged to SR29.86 billion ($7.96 billion) in July — a 79.45 percent% increase year -on -year. This growth is driven by a young, tech- savvy population and near ubiquitous Internet access. In recent years, the retail experience has been transformed by the move from cash to digital payments. Now, the way Saudi residents shop is set to change again.

Progress in generative AI is bringing an era of hyper-personalized, automated shopping —agentic commerce. Soon, AI agents will anticipate needs, show the best choices, restock essentials and manage purchases in real time. They will also handle back office chores for merchants, from invoicing to settling disputes.

Agentic commerce could be highly rewarding for retailers ready to seize its opportunities and efficiencies. Merchants that act now will put themselves in a strong position to prosper.

How merchants can prepare 
Shops should start by putting their digital shelves in order. AI buyers work best when product information is complete and consistent. Every item should have details that a machine can read, such as size, material, price, tax, shipping, and stock. Promises should be exact. “Ships within one business day” is better than “ships fast.” Verified reviews, certifications, and sustainability claims should be stored in formats that AI can check instantly.  

A smooth checkout matters just as much. Shoppers, whether human or AI, are more likely to buy when the total cost is clear from the start, prices and stock match what was promised, and the process takes as few steps as possible.  

Reward programs will also need to adapt. AI agents will compare offers with the same care as a skilled shopper. Rewards that work across supermarkets, airlines, and fashion brands could all influence agents’ buying decisions.

Payment infrastructure is part of this readiness. The Visa Acceptance Platform, now hosted on a local Saudi cloud, offers merchants a single integration for faster, more secure transactions. It is designed to meet the latest specifications for agent‑driven payments, so businesses can connect once and remain ready as standards evolve.

Building trust in AI- driven payments  
Commerce depends on the systems that let buyers pay and merchants take and manage transactions. Those systems must also be trusted. Shoppers, sellers and banks all need confidence that AI- driven payments are safe and reliable. Agents will have to capture the buyer’s intent, process payments securely and deal with problems such as fraud or disputes.

Visa is building frameworks that consumers and merchants can trust. Visa Intelligent Commerce, for example, links AI agents to its network with credentials and controls to keep transactions secure. And the Visa Acceptance Agent Toolkit, now in pilot, can turn back- office jobs such as invoicing or sending payment links into tasks an AI agent can handle with a simple prompt.  

Embracing AI shoppers 
�������� has embraced new ways to shop before. In 2023, the Kingdom  already reached Vision 2030’s target of 70 percent% non- cash retail transactions —ahead of its 2025  schedule. This momentum continued, with the amount of non-cash transactions climbing to 79 percent% in 2024. Saudi residents are likely to adopt agentic commerce with the same enthusiasm. For merchants, the challenge is not just to deliver the goods, but to do so in ways that keep both human and silicon shoppers coming back.

• The writer, Rob Cameron, is the Global Head of Visa Acceptance Solutions.

Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare services provider in the Middle East and North Africa region, unveiled a suite of advanced artificial intelligence solutions at the Global Health Exhibition 2025 in Riyadh, underscoring its commitment to transforming patient care and advancing ��������’s healthcare ecosystem.

During the opening ceremony, Minister of Health Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel felicitated Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, for the group’s initiatives that advance healthcare transformation in line with ��������’s Vision 2030.

Integrating care and intelligence

Under the theme “Care and Intelligence — World-Class Healthcare for the Kingdom,” Burjeel Holdings is showcasing how technology, data, and empathy converge to redefine healthcare experiences. The group is demonstrating a new generation of AI-driven innovations designed to elevate patient outcomes, streamline clinical workflows, and support wellness through personalized, data-informed care models.

“The Global Health Exhibition provides an important platform to demonstrate how care and intelligence can come together to reshape the healthcare experience. With these integrated AI-driven healthcare innovations, we are building a smarter, more compassionate healthcare future that meets the evolving needs of our patients and communities. Our goal is to seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with human-centered care to elevate health outcomes and quality of life across the region,” said Safeer Ahamed, co-CEO of Burjeel Holdings.

The newly introduced AI solutions span a wide spectrum of applications, from digital rehabilitation platforms that enable patients to undergo guided physiotherapy from home to intelligent surgical systems that connect specialists virtually to perform and supervise procedures in real time. These innovations combine clinical expertise with automation and analytics to ensure accuracy, safety, and accessibility in every phase of care.

Another key innovation focuses on predictive and personalized health management. Through data modeling and biomarker analysis, the group’s new digital health platforms can identify early risks, optimize preventive care, and generate tailored lifestyle and nutrition insights. This approach allows clinicians to transition from reactive to proactive care models, improving health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Advancing personalized, preventive, and mental health solutions

In musculoskeletal and rehabilitation care, Burjeel Holdings continues to deploy personalized and digital therapeutics that deliver home-based physiotherapy and pain management programs. These solutions use real-time monitoring to ensure continuous recovery support and data-driven therapy optimization.

In specialty and complex care, the group continues to advance precision medicine through diagnostic and therapeutic programs that leverage molecular and clinical data. Collaborations with international partners and ongoing clinical trials are helping bring personalized treatments and innovative therapies to patients across the region. 

To promote holistic health and longevity, Burjeel Holdings is introducing digital platforms that combine genetic, biomarker, and lifestyle data to provide actionable insights and personalized recommendations for nutrition, fitness, and preventive care. Complementing these initiatives, the group is integrating empathetic AI-powered companions that support mental and emotional well-being through guided assistance and culturally attuned digital engagement. 

Across its facilities, the group is also integrating generative AI tools that improve clinical workflows and communication between patients and care teams. These intelligent systems enhance efficiency, safety, and patient experience, reflecting the group’s vision to make healthcare more connected, compassionate, and data-driven.

Since entering the Kingdom three years ago, Burjeel Holdings has evolved from a regional healthcare leader to a trusted local partner. Its brands, including PhysioTherabia and Al-Kalma, have established a strong presence across wellness and mental health services. Al-Kalma’s recent acquisition of a leading mental health facility in Riyadh further underscores the group’s dedication to expanding access to emotional and psychological support. Burjeel Holdings is also preparing to open two new day surgery centers in Riyadh and Alkhobar under its Burjeel One brand, offering world-class outpatient and same-day surgical care.

These innovations reflect Burjeel Holdings’ vision of building a more connected, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem across the Kingdom. The solutions are being integrated within the group’s expanding network across the region to improve access, enhance clinical training, and reduce the burden of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases. These developments reinforce the group’s role as a key contributor to ��������’s efforts to localize advanced healthcare capabilities and expand digital health infrastructure.