Aligning academic artificial intelligence research with the national innovation strategy of Saudi Arabia under vision 2030

This study explores how academic research on artificial intelligence (AI) in Saudi Arabia aligns with the country’s strategic goals for innovation and digital transformation under Vision 2030. Despite substantial investments in AI, there remains limited clarity on whether scholarly output effectively supports the innovation capacity and digital preparedness of key business sectors. The study adopts ten methodological steps from the bibliometric–systematic literature review (B-SLR) methodology, as outlined in previous literature. A total of 75 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. VOSviewer was utilized to analyze keyword co-occurrence, temporal evolution, and bibliographic coupling. A thematic synthesis was derived from the systematic literature review (SLR). The analysis identified eight thematic clusters: core AI readiness; AI’s role in crisis management; data-driven significance; innovation and sustainability; national strategy and policy orientation; higher education; AI’s role in public health and decision-making; and AI in the finance sector. The SLR also pinpointed five cross-cutting themes: responsible AI, corporate digital responsibility (CDR), alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regulatory governance, and workforce upskilling. Finally, bibliometric coupling positioned Saudi Arabia as an emerging contributor to global digitization, although collaboration within the Gulf region remains limited. This study adds to the literature on management information systems and strategic management by providing actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and academic institutions aiming to foster research-strategy alignment and enhance sectoral capacity for AI adoption in emerging economies.