Adobe unveils $4B Saudi AI plan offering millions free software access

Adobe is expanding its global footprint in Saudi Arabia with a $4 billion initiative announced at LEAP 2026, offering more than 27 million eligible residents 12 months of free access to Adobe Firefly Standard and Adobe Express Premium. The program, developed in partnership with the MCIT and HUMAIN, will also pilot a Saudi-culture tailored image-generation model built on Firefly Foundry and optimized for Arabic prompts, aiming to address localization gaps in generative AI. Beyond free software, the plan includes training and support for startups through the Center of Digital Entrepreneurship and ongoing skills development via the Adobe Digital Academy. Adobe positions the investment as both a strategic move to secure a large user base and a way to strengthen its position in a growing Middle East AI ecosystem, while signaling potential near-term pressure on margins as free access scales. The rollout is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with broader ecosystem benefits for local creators and businesses through training and culture-specific AI capabilities. Critics may watch how effectively the model sustains long-term paid subscriptions and whether localization efforts translate into lasting competitive advantage for Adobe.