Shahbandr, an ecommerce platform based in Saudi Arabia and serving the MENA region, has launched Shahbandr AI, a generative AI toolkit for online stores.

The company said the suite is fully integrated with its platform and offers tools for generating images, videos, audio, ad copy, and product content in Arabic.

Shahbandr AI is available at no extra cost to merchants already using the Shahbandr platform.

The toolkit includes more than 50 pre-set prompts to help merchants create content without technical expertise.

Shahbandr said more than 18,000 stores currently use its platform in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Shahbandr was founded in 2022 and plans to expand to additional markets in the region.

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🔗 Source: Shahbandr

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Arabic AI tools address significant localization gap in global e-commerce technology

Shahbandr’s Arabic-first AI interface tackles a real market need, as most existing AI tools are designed primarily for English-speaking markets. The company’s approach of providing 50+ pre-set prompts in Arabic eliminates the technical barrier that prevents many regional merchants from effectively using AI tools. By offering full Arabic integration rather than simple translation, Shahbandr positions itself to capture market share in a region where language barriers have historically limited AI adoption.

Integrated free AI tools create competitive advantage through cost consolidation

Shahbandr’s decision to offer AI tools at no additional cost to their 18,000 stores directly challenges the subscription-based model used by most AI platforms. This approach addresses a key pain point for small merchants who would otherwise need multiple subscriptions for content creation, image generation, and marketing copy, potentially costing hundreds of dollars monthly. The strategy builds on their previous success with Videocommerce technology, which increased customer engagement by 5x across their platform, suggesting their integrated approach resonates with regional merchants. ……