LEAP 2025 is bringing together global technology and innovation leaders in Riyadh to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a primary hub for digital transformation and an attractive destination for tech investments. On the first day of the event, investments and projects worth over $14.9 billion in the artificial intelligence sector were announced, solidifying the Kingdom’s role as a key global player in shaping the digital future. These investments are designed to empower digital skills development, promote the growth of tech startups, and enhance innovation in Saudi Arabia. They further establish the Kingdom as a hub for technology and innovation, positioning it as an attractive environment for leading global technology companies and reinforcing its status as the largest digital economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The announcement was made during the keynote address by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha, as the conference, which runs until Wednesday, commenced under the theme “Into New Worlds.” Minister Alswaha emphasized that these significant investments and initiatives were made possible through the support and empowerment of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. These initiatives aim to enable the technology sector and accelerate Saudi Arabia’s transition toward an innovative and sustainable AI-driven economy, in line with Vision 2030 objectives.
LEAP 2025 is organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf Company—a joint venture between SAFCSP and Informa PLC, supported by the Events Investment Fund.
On the first day of the event, several major investments and projects in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital transformation were announced, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role in these sectors.
Major investments in artificial intelligence and cloud computing
Groq & Aramco Digital revealed a significant $1.5 billion investment aimed at expanding AI-powered cloud computing, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Alat & Lenovo confirmed a $2 billion investment to establish an advanced AI and robotics-based manufacturing and technology center in Saudi Arabia, along with plans to open Lenovo’s regional headquarters in Riyadh.
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Advancements through global AI infrastructure
Additionally, Google unveiled its intention to invest in AI infrastructure by launching a global AI hub in Saudi Arabia, catering to both regional and international demand. Qualcomm introduced the ALLaM language model on the Qualcomm AI Cloud and launched the ALLaM AI PC to enable cloud-based AI solutions for developers, thereby accelerating technological innovation.
Empowering local talent in digital transformation
Additionally, Alibaba Cloud announced an AI empowerment program in collaboration with Tuwaiq Academy and STC to train local talent in advanced technologies, contributing to a sustainable digital future in the Kingdom. Databricks committed $300 million to Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions, which will support app developers and drive expertise in data engineering and AI, further boosting Saudi Arabia’s digital economy.
Developing advanced AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
SambaNova also pledged $140 million to develop advanced AI infrastructure, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional innovation hub. KKR & Gulf Data Hub also announced a major investment in the development of data centers in Saudi Arabia, with a total capacity of up to 300 megawatts, enhancing the country’s cloud computing and AI capabilities. Moreover, Salesforce committed $500 million to expand its Hyperforce platform, ensuring service for its regional customers from within Saudi Arabia. Lastly, Tencent Cloud pledged a $150 million investment to establish its first cloud region in the Middle East, launching from Saudi Arabia with integrated AI capabilities.
