Smart Homes in KSA and UAE are on the Rise – Intelligent CIO Middle East

Customers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are increasingly turning to smart AI assistants to manage their homes, with a total of six million smart devices now integrated into their daily lives. This surge in engagement with smart home devices is a clear indication of the benefits customers are experiencing.

Among the most popular categories of smart home devices being controlled by Alexa are lighting, air conditioners, TVs, and cameras. In 2023 alone, customers in KSA and UAE initiated nearly 130 million smart home actions and made over 100 million requests to listen to music, Quran, and podcasts, resulting in more than 70 million hours of listening.

The convenience and efficiency of smart devices are enhancing the lifestyles of customers in the region. For example, Alexa turned the lights on and off over 24 million times in homes across the UAE and KSA in 2023. Additionally, customers used Alexa nearly nine million times to control their air conditioners solely by using their voice, showcasing the growing adoption of voice-enabled home automation.

Dr. Raf Fatani, Regional General Manager of Alexa, Amazon MENA, expressed excitement about the rapid adoption of Alexa and smart home devices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the investment in local talent and resources to tailor products for these markets, ensuring that Alexa meets the unique needs of customers in the region.

One of the key features recently added for customers in UAE and KSA is the multi-view option, which allows users to see live feeds from up to four cameras, including Ring, on their multimodal devices. This feature enhances security and monitoring capabilities, providing customers with peace of mind.

The most commonly used smart home devices in the region include lighting brands like Smart Life, Xiaomi, and Surplife, television brands such as Samsung, LG, and Broadlink IR Remote, camera brands like Ring, Eufy, and TP Link, and climate control brands including Smart Life, LG, and Honeywell.

Overall, the increase in engagement with smart AI assistants like Alexa reflects the growing trend of connected smart homes in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. As more customers experience the benefits of automation and convenience, the adoption of smart devices is expected to continue to rise, transforming the way people manage their homes and enhancing their overall quality of life.