Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Software Engineering

This research explores the transformative role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAl) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) software developers. KSA is transforming from an oil-dependent economy to a diversified one to achieve Vision 2030. Technological advancement is among the strategic objectives of the Kingdom, facilitating the achievement of the ambitious vision. GenAl's ability to undertake tasks like code generation, debugging, and documentation may threaten developers whose jobs could be replaced. However, instead of replacing software engineers, GenAl will create more opportunities for programmers, increase the demand for more experienced developers, and evolve the role of software engineers. While the benefits of GenAl in software engineering are immense, the Kingdom should address the ethical challenges, inadequate transparency, accountability problems, and data privacy issues. This paper recommends the establishment of a National AI Ethics Board, the government to mandate explainable AI (XAI), investments in more localised models like the Arabic Large Language Model (ALLaM), extensive training for GenAl engineers, cross-sector collaboration, and continuous monitoring.