LEAP Returns for Third Edition in Riyadh to Navigate Technology Future with Sharpened Focus on AI
The Kingdom is hosting the third edition of the world's most attended tech event, “LEAP”, under the theme “New Worlds”, at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, Saudi Arabia, from 4 - 7 March 2024, organized by The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, The Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and “Tahaluf” Company. This edition features more than 1,000 international and local companies in the technology sector, and more than 1,000 expert speakers from 180 countries gather to discuss the future of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and showcase the latest innovations.
DeepFest is returning this year in partnership with The Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) , along with a wide range of stages, orbital talks, trainings, and innovative sessions. In addition to the participation of global startups and leading tech companies in artificial intelligence.
LEAP24 focuses on technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, gaming, space, cybersecurity, and digital twins. With the presence of prominent speakers and experts such as: Angela Kane, Vice President & Former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; Elizabeth Adams, Affiliate Fellow & Former Chief AI Ethics & Culture Advisor, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI; Divya Gokulnath Co-founder, Byju's; Martin Vilig, Co-founder, Bolt; Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia; Borje Ekholm, CEO and President of Ericsson; Arvind Krishna Chairman and CEO, IBM; Martin Urrutia Islas, Global Head of Retail Innovation and Experience, The Lego Group; Philippe Rambach, Chief AI Officer, Schneider Electric; Nicholas Dirks, President, The New York Academy of Sciences; Ott Velsberg, Government Chief Data Officer, Republic of Estonia; Dr. Anna Zeiter, VP - Chief Privacy Officer & Associate General Counsel of Privacy, Data & AI, eBay.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, emphasized that the third edition of LEAP will strengthen Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for innovation and technology which will attract investment to this region.
He stated that the support and empowerment of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for this technological movement contributed to the Kingdom's leadership in the growth of the digital economy in the region, through the largest technology market with more than $43 billion. Adding that the total venture capital investments in 2023 placed the Kingdom as the largest country in the region to obtain investments exceeding a threshold of $1.3 billion, thus accounting for more than half of the investments achieved in the MENA region. The Kingdom is now the largest hub for digital talent and capabilities with more than 354k young men and women, with a qualitative growth in women's empowerment in the sector that today reaches 35%, exceeding the average of the European Union, the G20 and Silicon Valley. For his part, The Chairman at The Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), Faisal Al-Khamisi, expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes: "Our goal is to present a remarkable edition this year, particularly since we concluded last year's LEAP edition with investments and launches that exceeded $9 billion, with a presence of over 172k visitors, LEAP confirms itself as the largest of its kind in the world." Meanwhile, Tahaluf's CEO, Michael Champion, affirmed: "With a laser focus on AI, its myriad applications, and transformative advancements, LEAP 2024 is a continuation that will catapult the global tech industry into an elevated realm.”
LEAP represents an important hub for investors, startups, experts, and enthusiasts, as the event serves tech companies and investments, and plays a significant role in the process of digital transformation locally and globally.
