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Snowflake Research Reveals that 92% of Early Adopters See ROI From AI Investments

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4 أسابيع ago

أبريل 16, 2025

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New research shows that two-thirds of respondents are quantifying their generative AI ROI, finding that for every $1 million spent, they are seeing $1.41 million in returns through cost savings and increased revenue
98% of business and IT leaders plan to invest more in their AI initiatives in 2025, but 58% claim that making their data AI-ready remains a challenge
Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, in collaboration with Enterprise Strategy Group, today released the “Radical ROI of Generative AI,” which found that 92% of respondents reported that their AI investments are already generating ROI, with 98% planning to invest even more on their AI initiatives in 2025.
The research surveyed 1,900 business and IT leaders across nine different countries, including the UK, France and Germany — all of whom are actively using generative AI for one or more use cases.
Just two-and-a-half years since generative AI began dominating every tech conversation, early adopters of AI are realizing success with both internal and external use cases. Over half (55%) of respondents prioritized employee-facing solutions to improve productivity and efficiency, while 44% started with customer-facing solutions to elevate customer experience and satisfaction.
“I’ve spent almost two decades of my career developing AI, and we’ve finally reached the tipping point where AI is creating real, tangible value for enterprises across the globe,” said Baris Gultekin, Head of AI, Snowflake. “With over 4,000 customers using Snowflake for AI and ML on a weekly basis, I routinely witness the outsized impact these tools have in driving greater efficiency and productivity for teams and democratizing data insights across entire organizations.”
Mohamed Zouari, General Manager for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at Snowflake, said: “With the UAE set to gain $96 billion from AI by 2030 and Saudi Arabia launching a $100 billion AI initiative, AI is fast becoming the blueprint for business growth in the Middle East. But without a data strategy, there is no AI strategy. Regional businesses face real challenges—from fragmented data infrastructure gaps to talent shortages. At Snowflake, we’re helping organizations lay the secure and scalable data foundations they need to truly capitalize on AI’s potential.”
Driving Success Through AI Investments
The report reveals that early AI investments are proving to be successful for the majority of enterprises, with 93% indicating that their generative AI initiatives have been very or mostly successful. Respondents’ AI initiatives resulted in measurable improvements across efficiency (88%), customer experience (84%), and accelerated innovation (84%). In fact, two-thirds of respondents are already starting to quantify their generative AI ROI today, finding that for every $1 million spent, they are seeing $1.41 million in returns through cost savings and increased revenue.
As global organizations advance along their AI journeys, respondents are allocating additional resources to their AI initiatives, citing data (81%), large language models (78%), supporting software (83%), infrastructure (82%), and talent (76%). This strategic focus underscores a fundamental shift in what businesses prioritize to operate and compete in the future.
Overcoming Data Barriers to Maximize AI Effectiveness
Unlocking AI’s true potential requires a robust data foundation. Organizations are increasingly incorporating their proprietary data to maximize AI’s effectiveness, with 80% of respondents choosing to fine-tune models with their own data. Despite this, many respondents are facing significant challenges in making this data AI-ready, citing the following as the biggest hurdles for driving AI success:
Higher than expected costs: 96% of early adopters report that one or more components of their gen AI solutions have cost more to date than was initially anticipated, and 78% say that half or more of their gen AI use cases have cost more than expected to get into production.
Breaking down data silos: 64% of early adopters say integrating data across sources is challenging today.
Organizing unstructured data: The vast majority of data is unstructured — 80%–90% by many estimates. However, only 11% of the early adopters say that more than half their unstructured data is ready to be used in LLM training and tuning.
Integrating governance guardrails: 59% say enforcing data governance is difficult.
Measuring and monitoring data quality: 59% say measuring and monitoring data quality is difficult.
Integrating data prep: 58% say making data AI-ready is a challenge.
Efficiently scaling storage and compute: 54% say it’s difficult to meet storage capacity and computing power requirements.
Methodology
Researchers from Enterprise Strategy Group identified, and conducted deeper research between Nov. 21, 2024, to Jan. 10, 2025, with early adopter organizations — those already augmenting and executing business processes in production, using commercial and open-source models rather than consumer-grade, subscription software such as ChatGPT. Of 3,324 respondents, 1,900 (57%) said they are using commercial or open source generative AI solutions.

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K-Food Set to Showcase Innovation and Quality at Saudi Food Show 2025

Published

3 ساعات ago

مايو 13, 2025

Editor

Korea Pavilion to feature 10 leading exporters, promote healthy, trend-driven products through tastings and business matchmaking in Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea, will host the Korea Pavilion at the Saudi Food Show 2025, to be held from May 12 to 14 in Riyadh. The Pavilion will highlight the growing global appeal of Korean food and present a diverse selection of innovative products tailored for Middle Eastern consumers.
This year, 10 leading Korean food exporters will participate in the Pavilion, showcasing a variety of premium products including ready-to-eat meals, ginseng-based supplements, functional beverages, sauces, and snack foods. These offerings reflect Korea’s dynamic food culture and respond to Saudi Arabia’s increasing demand for convenient, nutritious, and high-quality food.
To encourage meaningful business connections, the Pavilion will host on-site product tastings and organize 1:1 business matchmaking sessions between Korean companies and buyers from Saudi Arabia and neighboring GCC countries. The initiative aims to build long-term partnerships and explore new distribution opportunities in the region.
With a population of over 37 million and a growing appetite for global flavors, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a major gateway for Korean agri-food exports. Demand for K-Food is particularly strong among younger consumers who are increasingly embracing Korean cuisine and culture.
Mr. Ki-Chan Jeon, Director of Agri-food Exports at aT, remarked:
“Saudi Arabia is not only a vital market on its own, but also a strategic hub for reaching markets across the Middle East and Africa. Through this exhibition, we aim to demonstrate the adaptability and competitiveness of K-Food while helping our exporters build lasting relationships with trusted partners.”
To further support Korean exporters, aT continues to assist companies with regulatory compliance, halal certification, and local market adaptation, enabling a smoother entry into the region’s competitive food sector.
For media inquiries, buyer meeting arrangements, or access to the Korea Pavilion, please contact: dubai@at.or.kr

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المنتجات الغذائية الكورية تستعد لإبراز تميزها في معرض السعودية للأغذية 2025

Published

3 ساعات ago

مايو 13, 2025

Editor

الجناح الكوري يضم 10 شركات رائدة ويعرض منتجات صحية وعصرية مع جلسات تذوق واجتماعات أعمال في الرياض

الرياض 13 مايو – تستعد المؤسسة الكورية لتنمية التجارة الزراعية والسمكية (aT) ، التابعة لوزارة الزراعة والغذاء والشؤون الريفية في جمهورية كوريا، لتنظيم الجناح الكوري في معرض السعودية للأغذية 2025، والذي سيقام في مدينة الرياض خلال الفترة من 12 إلى 14 مايو. ويهدف الجناح إلى تسليط الضوء على جاذبية المنتجات الغذائية الكورية المتنامية عالميًا، من خلال مجموعة متنوعة من المنتجات المبتكرة والمخصصة لتناسب أذواق المستهلكين في الشرق الأوسط.
ويشارك في الجناح هذا العام عشر شركات تصدير كورية رائدة، تعرض منتجات متميزة تشمل: الوجبات الجاهزة، المكملات الصحية المستخلصة من الجينسنغ، المشروبات الوظيفية، الصلصات، والوجبات الخفيفة. وتعكس هذه المنتجات ثقافة الطعام الكورية المتطورة واستجابتها لاحتياجات السوق السعودية المتزايدة للمنتجات الصحية وعالية الجودة.
خلال المعرض، سيُقام في الجناح الكوري تذوق مباشر للمنتجات الكورية، إلى جانب تنظيم لقاءات أعمال ثنائية (1:1) بين الشركات الكورية والمستوردين والموزعين من المملكة ودول الخليج. وتهدف هذه اللقاءات إلى بناء شراكات تجارية طويلة الأمد واستكشاف فرص توزيع جديدة في المنطقة.
تُعد المملكة العربية السعودية سوقًا استراتيجيًا للصادرات الزراعية والغذائية الكورية، ليس فقط لحجمها السكاني الذي يتجاوز 37 مليون نسمة، بل أيضًا لدورها المحوري كبوابة للوصول إلى أسواق الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا. كما أن الطلب على المنتجات الكورية يزداد، خاصة بين فئة الشباب الذين يتبنون الثقافة الكورية ويبدون اهتمامًا متزايدًا بالمأكولات الآسيوية الحديثة.
وفي هذا السياق، صرّح السيد جي-تشان جيون، مدير قسم صادرات المنتجات الغذائية في مؤسسة (aT) قائلاً:
“لا تُمثل السعودية سوقًا هامة فقط، بل هي مركز استراتيجي للتوسع نحو أسواق الشرق الأوسط وإفريقيا. ومن خلال هذا المعرض، نسعى إلى إبراز جودة وتنوع المنتجات الغذائية الكورية، وتسهيل بناء علاقات تجارية متينة بين الشركات الكورية والشركاء المحليين.”
كما أشار إلى استمرار دعم المؤسسة للمصدّرين الكوريين، خاصة فيما يتعلق بمتطلبات شهادات الحلال، وتكييف التغليف، والامتثال للوائح المحلية، لتسهيل دخول المنتجات إلى السوق السعودية بمرونة وكفاءة.

للاستفسارات الإعلامية أو طلبات التغطية الصحفية أو الترتيب للاجتماعات مع الجناح الكوري، يُرجى التواصل عبر البريد الإلكتروني:
dubai@at.or.kr

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Sommet Education recognises emerging talent in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector in Partnership with Future Leader Award

Published

3 ساعات ago

مايو 13, 2025

Editor

Sommet Education, is a global leader in higher education for the hospitality and service industries providing world-class education through its prestigious institutions, including Les Roches, École Ducasse, and Glion Institute of Higher Education. Earlier today, on stage at the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia (FHS) taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh this week, the winner of the 2025 FHS Future Leader Awards was announced.
This year’s Future Leader Award winner is Lama AlQawasmi, Co-Founder & COO of Hospitality talents, Vice President of Hospitality at Moqam Urban Development Co. Lama AlQawasmi stands as a remarkable example of young woman leadership in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry.
The Future Leader Award is an initiative from FHS organizer The Bench, powered by the Sommet Education Foundation, the non-for-profit organization of Sommet Education aiming at fostering inclusivity in the Hospitality Education.
The Future Leader Award was open to individuals aged 18 to 35 who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and impact in the hospitality field. The jury included leaders from renowned hospitality and education institutions such as Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Chief Executive Officer of Les Roches, Anouck Weiss, Chief Communication Officer of Sommet Education, Co-founder & Executive Vice President of Sommet Education Foundation; Luis Nicolas Barrios, Regional Manager of Innovation Education and Investment at UN Tourism, and Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench.
“Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry is undergoing a dynamic shift, and we believe the Future Leader Award is an important step in recognizing the young leaders who are driving that change. Through this award, we are proud to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by fostering talent and offering opportunities for growth and development to the next generation of hospitality leaders.” said Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches.
Lama has led strategic initiatives across multiple organizations—including founding a consultancy division, championing sustainability and innovation, and mentoring young professionals in the sector. She has already held influential roles at Moqam Urban Development, and the Elaf Group, where she’s driven operational excellence and talent development. Lama’s focus on collaboration, education, and social impact makes her not just a rising star—but a guiding light for the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Lama shared: “Thank you so much I’m truly honoured to receive this award. This award isn’t just about me, it’s about the belief that talent exists everywhere and opportunities do as well. My mission is to fill this gap through hospitality, through education, and through purpose.”
“Lama AlQawasmi embodies the empowering, people-centric leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and deep passion for hospitality that we strive to nurture at Sommet Education. She represents exactly the kind of leader the hospitality world needs – driven by purpose, committed to others, and unafraid to shape the future,” said Anouck Weiss, Chief Communication Officer of Sommet Education, and Co-founder & Executive Vice President of Sommet Education Foundation.
As part of Lama’s prize, she will get access to an exclusive scholarship opportunity within Sommet Education’s portfolio of Master’s, Executive Master’s or part-time education at Glion Institute of Higher Education or Les Roches Global Hospitality in the UK, Switzerland, and Spain as well as access to Sommet Education’s alumni networks, internships, and job placement opportunities.
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