
WHY GENERATIVE AI IN LOW CODE PLATFORMS MATTERS

Spokesperson: Hyther Nizam, President Middle East and Africa (MEA)
Generative AI (Gen AI) is revolutionizing the world of application development, empowering developers to generate quick fixes for repetitive tasks through large language models (LLMs). These systems are capable of processing vast amounts of data and are trained on billions of coding parameters, which has transformed and streamlined the app-building process. In Saudi Arabia, where the demand for AI-driven innovation is accelerating under Vision 2030, businesses are increasingly exploring tools like generative AI to enhance productivity and drive digital transformation.
In addition to Gen AI, low-code development platforms have also developed into go-to solutions for businesses seeking agility and speed in their software development life cycles. As Saudi organizations look to modernize operations, low-code platforms provide an accessible way to build applications that align with the Kingdom’s AI and digitization priorities.
While Gen AI can easily generate specific code blocks based on your prompts, it lacks the human cognition to seamlessly integrate these snippets, understand the impact of component tweaks, or optimize the generated code. This is where low-code platforms shine, offering the control and abstraction needed for Saudi enterprises to scale custom solutions that meet their evolving technology needs.
Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to AI and Low-Code Platforms
Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of AI innovation, ranking 14th globally and first in the Arab world in the 2024 Global AI Index. This leadership reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a global hub for AI advancements.
The country’s National Strategy for Data & AI further solidifies this ambition, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI by 2030. Saudi Data & AI Authority’s recent reports detail significant progress in policy, investment, infrastructure, and talent development.
Low-code platforms are playing a vital role in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. For example, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) leverages low-code solutions to accelerate transformation efforts, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. Similarly, the rise of no-code and low-code solutions in the Saudi market is enabling businesses to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
The future is a synergy of low-code and Gen AI
Low-code platforms and Gen AI are intended to coexist and push the boundaries of application development. Imagine a user with no coding background opening a low-code platform and simply typing a text-based prompt to define their needs. The system would then use its code repository and suggest a starting point, data structures, connections, and other elements that a non-developer might overlook.
In the same way, Gen AI within low-code platforms allows both business users and pro-coders to feed in their application requirements. The platform’s internal guardrails can then validate the code based on the overall context and quality, creating a seamless collaboration between human and machine.
Choosing the right low-code platform
The key to unlocking the full potential of this synergy lies in selecting the right platform. Key considerations include:
- Prioritizing Platform Maturity: While Gen AI capabilities are evolving, businesses should prioritize mature low-code platforms that support scalable, custom applications for diverse user personas.
- Ensuring Privacy and Security: Low-code platforms interact with significant data, both within and outside the organization. Businesses should select platforms that ensure data privacy, encryption, access control, and compliance with regulations.
- Maintaining Compliance: Non-compliance can have severe consequences. Organizations should choose platforms that align with major regulatory standards across all regions, including the Middle East.
- Establishing Robust Governance: Effective governance, including version control and clear guidelines, is crucial when integrating LLM-based capabilities to maintain code quality and security.
Embracing the future of application development
As low-code platforms evolve, innovations such as proprietary and contextual domain-centric LLMs will enable the creation of industry-specific applications. For Saudi businesses, adopting these solutions in a measured approach—starting small, evaluating progress, and scaling—will ensure optimal success.
Saudi Arabia’s accelerated push for AI adoption and digital transformation under Vision 2030 makes this synergy between Gen AI and low-code platforms a critical driver of innovation.