Digital transformation in the IS field: GREAT research opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

As part of the inaugural conference of the Saudi AIS Chapter in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, a panel reflected on the Information Systems (IS) field, particularly in the context of digital transformation in the Arab region. Moderated by Mohammad AlMarzouq, a diverse group of international speakers discussed the identity and strengths of the field, elaborated on how the field can theorize unique regional developments—such as the cognitive city NEOM—and highlighted opportunities for Arab scholars to contribute to the global research discourse. This article provides an overview of the Saudi Conference on Information Systems (SaudiCIS), summarizes key insights from the panel, and discusses their implications for the IS research community.