LEAP25, an event proudly supported by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf, brought together some of the industry's brightest minds for its fourth year. Saudi Arabia is growing in the global technology sector with high-profile investments, partnerships, and initiatives to position the Kingdom as a leading hub for innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation.
Held in Riyadh since 2022, the LEAP tech conference has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's tech ambitions. They are leveraging the country's Vision 2030 strategy to diversify their economy and take their place on the global tech stage. This year's event saw billions in investments announced across AI, fintech, and cybersecurity. These deals highlight the Kingdom's growing influence in the global tech ecosystem.
In a short time, LEAP has solidified its reputation as a platform for groundbreaking announcements and collaborations, furthering Saudi Arabia's goal of becoming a global innovation hub. Also, its ability to attract major players like IBM, Dell Technologies, Intel, Qualcomm, Infosys, Deloitte, Nokia, and Hewlett Packard, to name a few.
Salesforce
Global tech giant Salesforce announced a $500 million investment in Saudi Arabia to bolster AI and cloud infrastructure. The investment will focus on developing AI-driven solutions, enhancing workforce capabilities, and forging partnerships with local businesses. Work local, think global. Salesforce's new commitment underscores Saudi Arabia's growth as a strategic market for global tech companies.
AWS and Merak Capital
Saudi-based venture capital firm Merak Capital has partnered up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support the gaming industry growth in the Middle East,
This collaboration will provide gaming startups with access to cutting-edge cloud infrastructure, mentorship, and funding. This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's broader ambition to become a global leader in the gaming sector, which in turn will be a key driver of economic growth.
Other highlights from LEAP 2025
Zscaler showcased its Zero Trust and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. The company emphasized the importance of secure digital transformation, particularly in the Middle East, where cybersecurity threats are rising. Zscaler's latest innovations address these challenges, enabling businesses to operate more safely in our forever increasingly digital world.
Huawei Cloud also announced new initiatives to support Saudi Arabia's AI ambitions. The company will expand its services and AI capabilities in the region, aiming to drive significant innovation and economic growth in the Kingdom, aligning with its goal of becoming a global leader in digital transformation.
Aramco, the world's largest oil company, is an unlikely candidate for a tech innovation event. At LEAP25, they proved that even traditional industries can be at the forefront of change. Their focus on sustainability and clean energy was a highlight for me.
Aramco is committed to reducing its carbon footprint while continuing to meet global energy demands. This is a delicate balancing act, which Aramco seems determined to achieve.
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, executive vice president of technology and innovation at Saudi Aramco, mentioned that Aramco possesses over 90 years of proprietary data from its comprehensive geological and process surveys. He stated that the company gathers approximately 10 billion data points each day across all its facilities.
He shed light on AI models: “It is within the reach of enterprises, even startups, to design AI suited to their own businesses. We have believed this from the beginning, developing our own models with our own data, which is why it gives me great pleasure to introduce our latest innovation, Plant Meta Brain, a time series transformer model utilizing large time series data sets. We believe our AI is only as good as our human intelligence, and this is why we are training more than 6000 AI developers across the company.”
DeepFest 2025
DeepFest 2025, running in conjunction with LEAP, brought together leading AI experts, innovators, and investors to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. The conference featured discussions on AI ethics, machine learning, and the role of AI in driving economic growth. Attendees also witnessed demonstrations of cutting-edge AI technologies, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a leader in Arabia.
LEAP Is Expanding To Hong Kong
The organizers of LEAP announced the launch of LEAP East, an international edition of the conference set to take place in Hong Kong in July 2026. This expansion marks a significant milestone that seeks to foster innovation and collaboration between the Middle East and Asia.
LEAP East aims to replicate the success of the Riyadh-based conference, bringing together global tech leaders, investors, and innovators to drive progress in the tech industry. Based on what we have seen so far, I have no doubt it will be a great success.
A New Era for Saudi Arabia Is Here
These new developments underscore Saudi Arabia's push to become a global leader in technology and innovation. With more investments in AI, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, as well as initiatives to support startups and gaming innovators, the Kingdom is on the right path to achieve its Vision 2030 goals. Their growth is nothing short of admirable.
Events like LEAP25 and DeepFest 2025 have showcased Saudi Arabia's potential and have attracted international attention, solidifying its position as a key player in the global tech landscape. As Saudi Arabia continues to grow in the tech sector, we are all excited about the journey they have embarked on.
The Kingdom's commitment to innovation, partnerships, and investments is remarkable, and it promises to reshape the future of technology in the Middle East and globally.
Also, congratulations to the LEAP team, who have, in under five years, reached the same status as major events like CES or MWC. I remember the first time I flew into the Middle East (2012) to visit a tech client and how far the region has come since then. Each time I visit, it feels like a new world, as they move so fast!
As I often say, together, we are stronger.
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