Artificial Intelligence and Its Relationship with Unemployment in the Saudi Labor Market: Social Implications and the Role of Society

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the social and economic implications of unemployment resulting from the expansion of artificial intelligence use in the Saudi labor market. It relied on a descriptive analytical approach using a questionnaire to collect data from a purposive sample of 261 faculty members from Saudi universities, representing various disciplines. The results indicated that the level of artificial intelligence system usage in the Saudi labor market remains moderate. There was a strong belief in a relationship between the expansion of artificial intelligence use and rising unemployment rates, particularly in routine or low-skilled jobs, along with a clear awareness of the resulting social implications, such as widening class gaps, increased family and psychological pressures, and impacts on quality of life and social cohesion. The results also showed that artificial intelligence contributes to reshaping the structure of professions and skills required in the Saudi labor market. The study emphasized the importance of the integrative role of community elements in addressing the effects of technological unemployment, with the media playing the leading role in raising awareness and guiding individuals toward acquiring future skills, followed by educational institutions in preparing national competencies, then the family’s role in psychological and social support, and finally the private sector's role in training and creating professional alternatives. The results revealed statistically significant differences at the (α ≤ 0.01) level in participants' responses based on their academic specialization, with academics from technical and administrative disciplines showing a higher awareness of the economic and technical aspects of artificial intelligence, while those in social sciences focused on its human and societal dimensions.