Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, and the Kingdom is positioning itself at the forefront of this digital revolution. According to the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), AI is expected to contribute around 12% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030, becoming a cornerstone of the nation’s innovation agenda. Yet, this transformation also brings new resource challenges: AI’s growing demand for both energy and water. Data centers, the engine of AI infrastructure, rely heavily on water for cooling, emphasizing the need for smart water management to ensure technology and sustainability advance together.

As Saudi Arabia advances its National Strategy for Data & AI (NSDAI), this year’s Ecolab Watermark Study explores how public attitudes toward technology and sustainability are evolving:

• 70% of KSA consumers believe businesses should use AI to manage natural resources responsibly, signaling growing confidence in technology’s role in sustainability.
• 55% recognize water’s role in AI operations, compared with 69% who understand its energy demands, highlighting a gap in awareness around AI’s water footprint.
• 70% believe AI will have a positive impact on society, underscoring public confidence in the nation’s technology-driven future.

“AI is reshaping how industries operate, and unlocking extraordinary opportunities - but it must do so responsibly,” said Stefan Umiastowski, Ecolab’s Senior Vice President and CEO for India, Middle East and Africa. “Smart water management ensures innovation strengthens, not strains, our resources. With data and digital intelligence, AI can help solve the very pressures it creates.”

The research reflects the Kingdom’s sustainability agenda, underscoring how national initiatives such as the National Water Strategy 2030 and Vision 2030 are shaping public optimism and aligning long-term economic growth with environmental stewardship.

According to the Ecolab Watermark Study, confidence in tackling water challenges is rising:

• 78% of KSA consumers believe water scarcity can be effectively addressed, reflecting strong optimism that innovation and collaboration can secure the country’s water future.
• 37% express concern about access to water in 2025, down from 48% in 2024 and 51% in 2023, indicating easing public concern as resilience measures progress.

Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in water resilience, setting an example for other nations facing similar challenges. With global water demand projected by the United Nations to rise by up to 30% by 2050, this commitment places the nation at the forefront of global sustainability efforts.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia’s leadership in water sustainability was underscored by two milestones. The Kingdom was recognized by the UN Water Committee as a global model for excellence in water stewardship and progress toward SDG 6. The launch of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, following its 2023 announcement, further cemented the Kingdom’s role in advancing innovation and resilience in water-scarce regions worldwide.

“In one of the driest regions on Earth, Saudi Arabia is transforming water from a constraint into a catalyst for progress,” Umiastowski added. “That visionary leadership is inspiring growing confidence that water challenges can be solved, turning scarcity into opportunity and positioning the Kingdom as a global model for sustainable resilience.”

The 2025 Ecolab Watermark Study shows that public expectations of business leadership in sustainability are intensifying:

• 77% of KSA consumers believe companies should invest in technologies that mitigate the impact of climate change on water.
• 66% of KSA adults believe businesses, and 74% believe the government, are reducing, reusing, and recycling water throughout their operations, both figures above the global average.
• 53% believe companies can be trusted to use water to power AI operations responsibly without regulation.
• 75% of adults believe the government is committed to conserving water resources, compared to 63% who say the same of businesses, revealing a persistent trust gap.
• 74% want to learn more about companies’ responsible water practices, signaling a growing demand for transparency and measurable impact.

This rising engagement presents a major opportunity for businesses to lead with clarity, accountability, and innovation.

Building water resilience requires collaboration between government, industry, and community stakeholders. The Ecolab Watermark Study highlights broad public alignment on this shared responsibility:

• 72% of KSA adults believe government should prioritize climate action.
• 73% believe businesses should do the same – reflecting a united call for sustainable growth.

“Saudi Arabia is showing how sustainability and growth can advance together, not as parallel goals but as one,” said Umiastowski. “Through data-driven collaboration between government and industry, the Kingdom is turning its sustainability vision into tangible results. Our focus now is on measuring what matters, accelerating momentum and ensuring water efficiency becomes a defining competitive advantage for Saudi Arabia and the wider region.”

Ecolab’s commitment to Saudi Arabia is backed by deep local expertise and innovation. The Kingdom hosts one of six global Enterprise Intelligence Centers (EICs), connecting industrial facilities across Saudi Arabia to Ecolab’s worldwide network of best performers through real-time data and analytics. Ecolab also collaborates with King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) to advance water research and develop solutions tailored to local environmental conditions.

The 2025 Ecolab Watermark Study was conducted by Morning Consult in March 2025 among adults across Asia Pacific, China, Europe, Latin America, India/Middle East/Africa, and the U.S., providing a global view of public perceptions of water’s role in climate, innovation, and business.

The research for the Ecolab Watermark™ Study was conducted between March 6 and March 20, 2025, among a sample of general population adults across six global regions—United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, India/Middle East/Africa (IMEA), and China—to provide a comprehensive overview of water stewardship. The interviews were conducted online, and results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2–3 percentage points. Some geographies may be weighted with fewer variables depending on local census data availability. The China research excludes Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.