Saudi Arabia has made a significant move in its global technology strategy by introducing the first international edition of its prominent LEAP technology conference in Hong Kong. This initiative is a key step in broadening the Kingdom’s international technology partnerships and enhancing collaboration across the Asian continent.
During the inaugural session of LEAP East, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, emphasized the evolution of the conference from a local event in Riyadh to an international platform. This platform now serves as a bridge connecting artificial intelligence and technology ecosystems across the East and West. Al-Swaha underscored Saudi Arabia’s swift digital advancement, noting a 75% increase in the Kingdom’s digital economy over the past eight years, which has reached a value of $139 billion. He pointed out that the non-oil digital economy now constitutes 16% of the nation’s GDP. Additionally, Al-Swaha outlined plans to enhance the country’s data center capacity to 6.9 gigawatts by 2034 to foster future AI developments.
Highlighting the Kingdom’s appeal to major tech companies, the minister mentioned that significant firms such as ByteDance, Lenovo, and Tencent have started investing in Saudi Arabia. He also lauded the increase in female participation within the technology sector, which has risen dramatically from 7% to 35%, surpassing participation rates in both the European Union and Silicon Valley.
The LEAP East conference, spanning three days, showcases a range of innovations from both Saudi and international technology firms. These include developments in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and smart government solutions. The event serves as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a leader in the global technology landscape and its efforts to create a collaborative environment for tech ecosystems worldwide.