Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, has launched the first "digital employee" at the Saudi Ground Services Company, Al Madina reported on March 13.

The digital employee, designed specifically for the company's operations, received the first professional ID card issued by the company during the launch ceremony.

The event was attended by several key officials including General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej and Saudi Ground Services CEO Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Mazi.

This initiative comes as part of the company's comprehensive digital transformation strategy and process automation efforts, leveraging modern technology and artificial intelligence capabilities to impact operations across Saudi Arabia's aviation sector positively. The launch also comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in AI and hosting companies through its local server systems in Dammam and other cities.  

The digital employee will automate routine tasks, saving more than 10,000 working hours annually. Its responsibilities include attendance management, immediate report generation and data analysis – contributing to required accuracy and ensuring real-time team readiness according to operational requirements.

"This enhancement will significantly improve productivity and services provided to airlines and passengers by allowing human staff to focus on strategic work rather than repetitive manual tasks," Al-Jasser explained during the launch.

The minister praised the implementation of automated services and the latest digital transformation technologies at the kingdom's airports, saying that these innovations aim to accelerate work pace and improve traveller experience while developing performance metrics and saving valuable time.

"These advancements positively reflect the overall service levels and support our national transportation objectives," he added.

For his part, Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Mazi, CEO of Saudi Ground Services, confirmed the company's commitment to expanding the use of modern technology to improve performance and services.

"The digital employee represents a significant step forward in our technological capabilities and service efficiency," he noted.

The initiative aligns with the ministry's supervisory role over all transport and logistics system sectors, which aims to follow up on the implementation of programmes, initiatives and projects that contribute to facilitating mobility options and improving all modes of transportation in the kingdom's cities and governorates.

These efforts support the National Transport and Logistics Strategy's objectives of making Saudi Arabia a global logistics centre by adopting modern technologies that enhance quality of life and increase work efficiency.

The Saudi Ground Services Company, listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), was established in 2010 and provides ground services to domestic and international airlines across all 29 airports in the kingdom.