Top AV Technology Trends in 2026: What They Mean for Saudi Arabia and the GCC

Audio Visual (AV) systems are no longer just projectors, speakers and screens. In 2026, AV is a core part of digital transformation strategies, smart cities, and hybrid workplaces across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. From AI-driven meeting rooms to immersive LED environments in Riyadh, Dubai and Doha, the Pro AV market in Saudi Arabia alone is forecast to grow steadily through 2034, driven by Vision 2030, mega projects and the region’s thriving events and entertainment sectors.

This article highlights the latest global AV trends and explains how organisations in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other GCC countries can practically adopt them to improve collaboration, customer experience and operational efficiency.

1. AI-Powered and IT-Centric AV: The New Standard for Smart Workspaces

The convergence of AV, IT and AI is one of the strongest industry trends for 2026 and beyond. Modern AV systems are now software-defined, networked and data-driven, enabling smarter, more automated environments.

Key AI & IT-Driven AV Trends

• AI-enhanced video conferencing: Automatic framing, noise suppression, translation and transcription to support diverse workforces and multilingual meetings common in GCC organisations.
• Room automation: AI-based occupancy detection to auto-start meetings, adjust lighting, control displays and manage energy usage.
• AV over IP (AVoIP): Audio and video distribution over standard IP networks, simplifying infrastructure in office towers, universities, hospitals and hotels.
• Interoperable collaboration platforms: Rooms that work seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and regional cloud platforms, without vendor lock-in.

Practical Tips for GCC Businesses

• Standardise on AVoIP-ready infrastructure: When upgrading meeting rooms or lecture halls in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai or Doha, specify network switches and cabling that can handle AV traffic with QoS and VLAN segmentation.
• Design “platform-agnostic” meeting spaces: Avoid tying rooms to a single conferencing platform; use BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting) strategies to support government and private-sector guests.
• Integrate with existing IT and cybersecurity policies: Ensure AV endpoints are authenticated, updated and monitored like any other network device, aligning with stricter cybersecurity demands across the GCC.

These IT-centric AV strategies support Vision 2030’s focus on modern, efficient workplaces and digitally enabled public services.

2. Immersive Experiences, XR and LED: Transforming Venues and Retail

Experiential AV is booming in the GCC, driven by major events, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment initiatives such as giga projects in Saudi Arabia and large-scale developments in the UAE and Qatar. Global AV research highlights surging demand for immersive technologies and advanced content creation.

Immersive AV Technologies Shaping the Region

• LED walls and video mapping: Large-format indoor and outdoor LED displays for malls, mosques, airports, museums and stadiums, with projection mapping for cultural shows and national celebrations.
• Extended Reality (XR) stages: Virtual and mixed-reality backdrops for broadcast studios, corporate events and e-learning content, reducing physical set costs and enabling faster content changes.
• Spatial audio and advanced sound systems: Directional sound for conference centres, theatres and experience centres to deliver cinematic-quality experiences.

How GCC Organisations Can Leverage Immersive AV

• Hospitality & retail: Use LED walls and interactive displays in lobbies, showrooms and flagship stores in Riyadh, Dubai or Doha to deliver dynamic brand storytelling and real-time promotions.
• Government & culture: Deploy immersive projection mapping and multi-language audio in museums and visitor centres to showcase national heritage in line with Vision 2030’s tourism and cultural objectives.
• Education & training: Build XR-enabled labs and virtual studios for universities and training centres to simulate industrial environments, medical procedures or engineering scenarios.

By carefully planning content strategy, screen placement and acoustics, organisations can create high-impact experiences while maintaining operational efficiency.

3. Hybrid Learning, Connected Classrooms and Smart Campuses

Education is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and broader GCC development plans. AV technology underpins modern learning environments, enabling universities, schools and training institutes to deliver flexible, high-quality education on campus and online.

AV Trends in Education and Training

• Connected classrooms: Integrated cameras, microphones, interactive displays and lecture capture systems to support hybrid teaching.
• Collaboration spaces: Huddle rooms and active learning classrooms with wireless presentation, group displays and digital whiteboards.
• Centralised AV management: Remote monitoring and scheduling of projectors, screens and audio systems across multi-building campuses.

Practical Implementation for GCC Institutions

• Standardise classroom AV designs: Create repeatable AV templates for classrooms and labs across campuses in Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai or Muscat to simplify support and training.
• Enable lecture recording by default: Use automated capture systems integrated with LMS platforms so students can access content anytime, supporting inclusive and lifelong learning goals.
• Invest in teacher-friendly interfaces: Touch panels and simplified control interfaces reduce complexity and ensure high adoption by academic staff.

These AV strategies directly support digital education initiatives, distance learning, and workforce upskilling across the GCC.

4. Secure, Sustainable and Smart AV for Vision 2030 and GCC Smart Cities

AVIXA and other global bodies highlight three key strategic themes shaping AV through 2026: enhanced security, interoperability and sustainability. These align closely with the GCC’s smart city and ESG agendas.

Security and Interoperability

• Secure AV endpoints: Encryption, strong access control and secure firmware updates to protect conferencing and digital signage systems from cyber threats.
• Interoperable standards: Open protocols and APIs allow AV to integrate with BMS (Building Management Systems), access control, and IoT platforms in smart buildings.
• Central monitoring: Unified dashboards to track the health and usage of AV assets across multiple sites, useful for large organisations, ministries and holding groups.

Sustainable AV Practices

• Energy-efficient displays and projectors: LED and laser technologies reduce power consumption and maintenance in offices, malls, mosques and airports.
• Power management and automation: Scheduling and occupancy-based control to switch off idle systems, supporting organisational sustainability targets.
• Lifecycle planning: Designing AV systems with modular components, firmware upgradability and planned refresh cycles to reduce e-waste.

Action Points for Saudi and GCC Organisations

• Align AV projects with smart building roadmaps: Ensure meeting rooms, digital signage and public address systems can integrate with existing and future IoT and BMS platforms.
• Specify green criteria in tenders: Include energy ratings, longevity and recyclability requirements in RFQs for AV equipment, supporting ESG frameworks adopted by many Gulf enterprises.
• Adopt a security-by-design approach: Engage both IT and facilities teams from the early stages of AV design to ensure compliance with national cybersecurity regulations.

Making AV Work for Your Organisation in the GCC

Whether you are equipping a new headquarters in Riyadh, upgrading classrooms in Jeddah, deploying digital signage in Dubai, or creating an immersive experience centre in Doha, the right AV strategy should:

• Support AI-driven automation and collaboration.
• Deliver engaging, immersive customer and visitor experiences.
• Enable hybrid work and hybrid learning at scale.
• Be secure, interoperable and sustainable by design.
• Align with national digital transformation, Vision 2030 and smart city objectives.

Working with a regional specialist who understands both global AV trends and local GCC requirements is critical to achieving these goals efficiently and cost-effectively.

Conclusion: Partner with Rayyan Secutech for Future-Ready AV Systems

Audio Visual (AV) systems are now a strategic investment that directly impacts productivity, customer experience and national digital transformation initiatives across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. From AI-enabled meeting rooms and immersive LED environments to hybrid classrooms and secure, sustainable AV infrastructures, organisations that modernise their AV today will be better positioned for the demands of 2026 and beyond. At Rayyan Secutech, we specialize in Audio Visual (AV) Systems solutions for businesses across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Whether you are looking to upgrade your existing system or embark on a new project, our team is ready to help. Contact Rayyan Secutech today for a free consultation and discover how we can secure and transform your business.