Research shows that 92% of Saudi IT leaders recognize observability across all elements of IT as crucial in an AIOps strategy, the demand for AI-driven IT solutions has never been higher
By Fernando Castanheira, Global CIO at Riverbed Technology
Having led IT teams for over two decades, I can tell you that it almost always starts the same way every morning: IT teams log in and are immediately hit with a flood of alerts. Thousands of notifications flash across their screens—some critical, some redundant, and many false alarms. By the time they sift through the noise, real threats may have already escalated. This is the reality of alert fatigue, where an overload of information creates decision paralysis, delays response times, and weakens IT teams’ ability to focus on strategic initiatives. The consequences go beyond IT; business performance, security, and innovation all take a hit.
It’s a dilemma that AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) can address. These platforms can revolutionize IT management through a combination of AI and automation, and advanced analytics, enabling organisations to reduce costs, drive operational efficiency and deliver superior user experiences. For organisations in the Middle East, where research shows that 92% of Saudi IT leaders recognize observability across all elements of IT as crucial in an AIOps strategy, the demand for AI-driven IT solutions has never been higher. As organisations balance digital transformation with operational efficiency, AIOps is proving to be an indispensable tool.
A cure for many IT challenges
Let’s explore what’s currently making IT management difficult. To start, the nature of outdated systems means IT teams are often forced into a reactive approach to remediation, which means incidents can damage operational efficiency and security before they’re even noticed. However, with AIOps, employees no longer start on the backfoot, as they can harness predictive analysis software to proactively identify threats before they escalate.
Data overload is another major hurdle. Modern IT environments generate vast volumes, with most of it remaining underutilized or inaccessible. But with the ability to continuously process this wealth of information, AIOps prevents IT professionals from wasting their time manually probing every single data source. However, owning a centralized data store is crucial here, because without organised and obtainable data, AI solutions cannot deliver on their full promise.
Data inaccessibility like this also creates problematic blind spots, particularly in organisations that operate across multiple cloud and on-premises environments. By unlocking end-to-end visibility across all corners of the digital estate, AIOps helps organisations bridge their siloed departments and bring IT teams back into the loop.
Compounding all these challenges is the ongoing shortage of skilled IT professionals, which hinders an organization’s ability to confidently make positive technological strides in-house. AIOps can compensate for this talent shortfall – and also improve staff retention – by automating routine tasks, allowing organisations to scale upwards without overburdening their valued employees.
Driving operational efficiency and reducing costs
It’s worth pointing out that AIOps is not just about fixing problems; it fundamentally reshapes IT operations to be smarter, more productive, and cost-effective. By leveraging real-time analytics, it empowers organisations to align IT strategies with business objectives. For example, a global bank used AIOps to maintain compliance across 125,000 devices during critical upgrades, ensuring seamless operations.
Beyond strategic decision-making, AIOps optimizes IT asset management by auditing software usage and automating device and software upgrades. A leading HR management software company saved nearly US$1 million by reclaiming unused software licenses, demonstrating the financial impact of AI-driven IT automation.
IT service desks, often overwhelmed with high ticket volumes, benefit significantly from AIOps. One large network carrier automated triage processes, executing nearly 10,000 remediations per month. This resulted in savings exceeding US$1 million annually and freed up 50-75 IT service desk hours per day—time that could be redirected to innovation and customer service enhancements.
AIOps also enhances workflow automation, reducing manual intervention for IT teams. For instance, an NHS Foundation Trust used AIOps to resolve device unresponsiveness issues, saving over 2,500 monthly hours. In industries where every second counts, these efficiencies translate into tangible business and operational advantages.
Time and money are the most defining aspects of any efficient IT operation, and AIOps can dramatically improve how organisations use both. Reducing the cost of incident management, guaranteeing system uptime and guiding strategic decisions allows organisations to provide quality digital services in the areas that users will benefit from the most.
Staying a step ahead
Any forward-thinking business should proactively adapt to the challenges of the future, but in today’s hyper-digital business landscape, staying competitive is paramount. So, once AIOps has successfully revolutionized operational productivity and protected that all-important bottom line, it can continue to be used to spearhead strategic innovation.
On a purely logistical level, the automation of time-consuming IT processes allows businesses to refocus on transformational projects. In eliminating operational bottlenecks, AIOps creates the opportunity for organisations to develop further cost-saving and performance-enhancing initiatives – like cloud adoption or security enhancements – without being held back by IT constraints.
Similarly, it helps that the impact of AIOps automation software on digital experiences is measurable. For example, one mid-market financial institution resolved over 15,000 incidents during a three-month period, eliminating 20 minutes of resources per incident on average, and as a result, they were able to improve customer satisfaction while also accelerating employee productivity.
Strategic agility is key for maximizing these benefits in finance, performance and welfare. That’s why the real-time insights supplied by AIOps are invaluable, because they enable organisations to quickly adapt to changing market conditions. Having the ability to act on live data helps organisations to understand their operational needs more clearly, which in turn provides them with the tools to drive growth.
A catalyst for Middle East innovation
The Middle East’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, with organisations investing heavily in AI and automation to drive operational efficiency. Notably, 59% of Saudi IT leaders cite operational efficiency, not just growth as their primary motivation for AI adoption. Additionally, trust in AI is rising, with more leaders comfortable automating major IT upgrades (59%) than sitting in a driverless car in city traffic (41%). These shifting perceptions signal a growing reliance on AI-driven decision-making in IT management.
As businesses across the region pursue large-scale digital transformation, AIOps serves as a strategic enabler, bridging the gap between IT complexity and business agility. By improving resilience, reducing costs, and delivering proactive IT management, organisations can stay ahead of market shifts and maintain a competitive edge. In the Middle East’s fast-moving digital landscape, AIOps is not just an efficiency booster, it is a game-changer for the future of IT.
