Riyadh, the bustling capital of Saudi Arabia, is once again the stage for the third iteration of the LEAP tech conference, a gathering that promises to unfold under the banner ‘New Worlds’ at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center. As a beacon of technological progress, the event is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and Tahaluf.
The upcoming edition, scheduled for March 4-7, is set to host a staggering lineup of over 1,000 tech entities from across the globe. An ensemble of more than 1,000 specialists in their respective fields will take the podium to share insights on the technological frontier, spotlighting artificial intelligence and unveiling cutting-edge breakthroughs.
DeepFest, a segment dedicated to exploring the depths of AI, makes a much-anticipated return in partnership with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence. The event will also feature an array of platforms and theaters offering educational courses and sessions fostering innovation, backed by the participation of ambitious startups and established tech giants well-versed in AI.
LEAP24 casts a wide net over diverse technological terrains including AI, sustainability, gaming, space, cybersecurity, and digital twins. The event will shine with the presence of renowned speakers and experts from notable entities like the United Nations, the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, and top brass from Byju’s, Bolt, Nokia, Ericsson, IBM, The Lego Group, Schneider Electric, the New York Academy of Sciences, and eBay.
Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, has expressed confidence that LEAP will bolster Saudi Arabia’s stature as a nexus for innovation and technological investment. The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s endorsement of technology has been pivotal to the Kingdom’s vanguard role in the digital economy’s expansion within the region.
The investment figures are telling, with venture capital funding in 2023 positioning the Kingdom as the foremost recipient in the MENA region, amassing investments north of $1.3 billion and constituting over half of the region’s total investments.
Saudi Arabia has also emerged as a powerhouse of digital talent, nurturing a workforce of over 354,000 young professionals and achieving significant strides in gender parity within the tech sector, with women’s participation hitting 35 percent—outstripping averages in the EU, the G20, and Silicon Valley.
Faisal Al-Khamisi, chairman of the SAFCSP, highlighted the ambition to deliver a groundbreaking edition of LEAP this year, building on the previous year’s momentum where the event culminated in investments and launches surpassing $9 billion and drew in excess of 172,000 attendees. This feat cements LEAP’s status as the preeminent event of its kind globally.
Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, underscored the event’s unwavering commitment to AI, its diverse applications, and the revolutionary progress it heralds. LEAP 2024 is envisioned as a leap forward, propelling the worldwide tech industry into a new echelon of innovation.
The LEAP conference stands as a pivotal platform for investors, startups, experts, and tech aficionados, drawing in a plethora of technology firms and fostering investment flows. It plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation both within the Kingdom and on the world stage.