On the first day of LEAP 2025, Riyadh hosted a series of groundbreaking announcements, with strategic investments and partnerships surpassing SAR 56 billion (approximately USD 14.9 billion). These initiatives aim to further cement Saudi Arabia’s role as a global leader in technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Among the major announcements were the following significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies:
- Alat and Lenovo committed USD 2 billion to establish an AI-driven manufacturing and technology center in Riyadh, alongside Lenovo’s regional headquarters.
- Groq also pledged USD 1.5 billion to develop the world’s largest AI data center.
- Salesforce disclosed its USD 500 million investment to build a Hyperforce platform in the country to support business solutions and innovation in the region.
- Databricks announced USD 300 million in investment to enhance Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) cloud services to empower innovators.
- Tencent Cloud selected Saudi Arabia for its first-ever regional Tencent Cloud center, with an investment of USD 150 million.
- SambaNova allocated USD 140 million to establish advanced AI infrastructure and launch an LLM-as-a-Service (LLMaaS)
- Gulf Data Hub and KKR collaborated on the development of data centers with a massive 300 MW capacity, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's growing digital infrastructure.
Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, remarked, "If Saudi Arabia were part of the European Union, it would be the fifth-largest tech hub in Europe." This statement underscores the Kingdom’s rapid technological evolution, signaling its ascent as a digital powerhouse.
With these transformative investments, Saudi Arabia is well on its way to becoming a global technology hub. By advancing AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a leader in the global digital economy, ready to attract international talent, partnerships, and innovation.
This strategic direction aligns with Vision 2030, ensuring Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in shaping the future of technology worldwide.
