Saudi Arabia has taken its flagship technology conference beyond its borders, launching the first international edition of LEAP in Hong Kong. The move reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to strengthen technology partnerships across Asia while positioning itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
The three-day LEAP East conference, running from July 8 to July 10, brings together Saudi and international technology companies to showcase innovation, AI solutions and digital transformation initiatives.
Al-Swaha Highlights Saudi Arabia’s AI Vision
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Abdullah Al-Swaha said LEAP has evolved from a Riyadh-based event into a global technology platform.
“Saudi Arabia is building one of the world’s most accessible, AI-ready digital infrastructures, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in the digital economy and a bridge between East and West,” Al-Swaha said.
He added that the expansion into Hong Kong reflects the growing role of Asia in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
Saudi Arabia Builds AI Infrastructure at Scale
Al-Swaha outlined the Kingdom’s rapid progress in digital transformation. According to the minister, Saudi Arabia’s digital economy has grown by 75% over the past eight years, reaching $139 billion. He also said the non-oil digital economy now contributes 16% of the country’s GDP.
The minister noted that Saudi Arabia currently operates 467 megawatts of data center capacity, accounting for 47% of the Middle East and North Africa’s total operational capacity.
Looking ahead, the Kingdom plans to develop 6.9 gigawatts of data center capacity by 2034, including 3 gigawatts by 2030, supported by 12.8 gigawatts of available power capacity.
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as an East-West Technology Bridge
Al-Swaha said the East represents a $34 trillion economy with a digital economy worth $10 trillion. He added that the region accounts for nearly 30% of global GDP and is home to 3.7 billion people, or almost half of the world’s population.
He also highlighted the region’s importance in AI, saying the East holds 82% of global AI patents, represents 60% of the global semiconductor market, and produces 90% of advanced chip manufacturing.
According to Al-Swaha, Saudi Arabia combines the three essentials for the AI era—compute, customers and capital—making it an attractive destination for global technology investment.
Global Technology Companies Expand in Saudi Arabia
The minister said several leading Asian technology companies, including ByteDance, Lenovo and Tencent, have already expanded their presence in Saudi Arabia.
He also highlighted the country’s progress in workforce development. Female participation in Saudi Arabia’s information and communications technology sector has increased from 7% to 35%, exceeding the averages recorded in both Europe and Silicon Valley.
Saudi Firm Elm Showcases AI Solutions
Saudi digital solutions company Elm is participating as the conference’s official business solutions partner. The company is demonstrating AI-powered digital government solutions, interactive dashboards and computer vision models designed to improve operational efficiency.
The event reinforces Saudi Arabia’s strategy to deepen international technology collaboration while accelerating AI adoption and digital economic growth.
