Saudi Arabia has taken a significant stride in enhancing its global technology collaborations by unveiling the first international edition of its renowned LEAP technology conference in Hong Kong. This event, dubbed LEAP East, signifies a pivotal expansion of Saudi Arabia’s influence in the technology sector, as it seeks to bridge AI and tech ecosystems between the East and West. At the conference’s opening, Abdullah Al-Swaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized the transformation of LEAP from a local Riyadh-based gathering into a key global platform.
Al-Swaha highlighted the impressive growth of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, which has surged by 75% over the past eight years, reaching a value of $139 billion. This growth reflects the Kingdom’s rapid digital transformation, with the non-oil digital sector now contributing 16% to the nation’s GDP. Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia aims to bolster its data center capacity to 6.9 gigawatts by 2034, a move intended to support the burgeoning development of artificial intelligence.
The minister also noted the increasing investments from major global technology firms such as ByteDance, Lenovo, and Tencent in Saudi Arabia. These investments are a testament to the country’s burgeoning tech landscape and its appeal as a hub for technological innovation. Furthermore, Al-Swaha pointed out the remarkable rise in women’s participation within the Kingdom’s technology sector, which has grown from 7% to an impressive 35%, surpassing participation rates in both the European Union and Silicon Valley.
The three-day LEAP East conference serves as a showcase for both Saudi and international tech companies, highlighting innovations in areas like artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and smart government solutions. This event not only underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering technology-driven growth but also its strategic efforts to integrate more deeply into the global technology community, particularly within Asia.
