The Middle East is undergoing one of the most ambitious workforce transformations in the world. As economies diversify, technology accelerates change, and new industries emerge, the question is no longer if jobs will evolve, but how people can be prepared to thrive in what comes next.

In this episode of Flavors of Ambition, we speak with Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani, Deputy Minister for Skills and Training at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, about what it takes to build a future-ready workforce across the region.

Drawing on his background in behavioral economics, Dr. Ahmed brings a refreshingly human lens to the conversation, challenging long-held assumptions about education, careers, and what truly prepares people for the future of work. He shares why the old rules no longer apply and what needs to change next.

Joined by BCG Partner and Director, Education, Employment and Welfare, Anton Stepanenko, the conversation explores how AI, personalization, and lifelong learning are reshaping the labor market. Together, they unpack what it means to move from qualification-based hiring to skills-based systems, and why adaptability has become the most valuable skill of all.

We also dive into Saudi Arabia’s role as a sandbox for bold talent reforms and what that means for the region and beyond.

If you want to understand how the Middle East is reimagining human capital, building systems that match talent to opportunity, and preparing people for the future of work, this episode is for you.

Links:

Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani on LinkedIn

Anton Stepanenko on LinkedIn

BCG Middle East

Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com

The Middle East is reimagining what a city can be—and at the heart of that transformation is a bold question: what if play, creativity, and human connection became the foundation of urban design?

In this episode of Flavors of Ambition, Ryan Taylor, Managing Director at BCG Brighthouse, sits in the host’s chair for a conversation with Morgan Parker, Vice Chair of the Management Committee at Qiddiya Investment Company, about the philosophy shaping one of the region’s most ambitious initiatives. Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya is being built from scratch around sport, entertainment, and culture—designed not just as a destination, but as a new way of living.

Morgan shares how decades of global experience in city-making shaped his belief that great places start with purpose. From rethinking how people move through public spaces to redesigning experiences like golf courses and transport systems, he explains how Qiddiya is embedding play into everyday life—lowering barriers, encouraging participation, and creating moments of shared joy.

Together, Ryan and Morgan explore how Vision 2030 is unlocking new possibilities for domestic tourism, community connection, and long-term career pathways in experiential industries. Morgan reflects on why this project isn’t a development with an end date, but a living city that will continue to evolve across generations.

We also dive into what Qiddiya could mean beyond Saudi Arabia—a blueprint for future cities that trade not just in goods or finance, but in experiences that shape memory, culture, and belonging.

If you’re curious about the future of urban life, purpose-driven development, and what it really means to design for human potential, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Links:

Qiddiya

BCG Brighthouse

Ryan Taylor on LinkedIn

Entertainment Parks Industry: Trends & Opportunities for Saudi Arabia

Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com

The Middle East is laying the foundations for a bold new era of artificial intelligence, one rooted in purpose. At the center of this transformation is Dr. Yaser Al-Onaizan, Deputy CEO of HUMAIN, and one of the driving forces behind Saudi Arabia’s national AI vision.

In this episode Dr. Yaser and co-host Dr. Akram Awad, Managing Director and Partner at BCG explore how the region is turning strategy into reality, developing world-class data infrastructure, building AI systems grounded in human values, and cultivating the talent that will power tomorrow’s digital economies.

Dr. Yaser shares how his journey from pioneering researcher to national AI leader reflects the region’s broader transformation. A mission driven by ambition, collaboration, and a belief that technology must serve people.

And Dr. Akram offers insight into how purpose-driven strategy, governance, and public-private partnerships are creating an ecosystem where innovation can thrive responsibly and sustainably.

Together, they explore the ethical and societal dimensions of AI, from inclusion and gender parity to lifelong learning, and how regionally trained, Arabic-first AI models are helping position the Middle East as a global leader in human-centric innovation.

If you want to understand how the Middle East is shaping the future of AI, balancing innovation with integrity, and vision with values, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Links:

Dr. Yaser Al-Onaizan on LinkedIn

HUMAIN

Akram Awad on LinkedIn

BCG Middle East

Email Flavors of Ambition: flavorsofambition@bcg.com