Saudi Arabia’s Intelligent Era: A Technological Journey Toward Global AI Leadership

As the world races to adopt advanced technologies, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to cement its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI).
 Guided by the ambitious national vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom has adopted a transformative approach to building an innovative and sustainable economy founded on AI and innovation.
 Backed by bold investments, advanced infrastructure, and strategic alliances with leading global technology companies, Saudi Arabia has undergone unprecedented economic transformations that are creating opportunities for international cooperation and a sustainable future powered by AI to serve humanity.
 At LEAP 2025, Saudi Arabia announced investments exceeding $14.9 billion in AI and emerging technologies in its latest edition alone. Over the past years, LEAP has witnessed landmark announcements from global tech giants, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and others. Through these investments and partnerships, the Kingdom has established itself as a global hub for digital innovation.
 According to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, these partnerships include Microsoft’s $2 billion+ investment to build an AI-powered data center, Groq’s $1.5 billion commitment, and Salesforce’s $500 million investment to train 30,000 Saudis by 2030.
 The launch of HUMAIN, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) owned company, marked the establishment of a national engine for smart projects. HUMAIN is backed by strategic agreements with NVIDIA, AWS, and Cisco to build AI factories, establish a dedicated “AI Zone,” and launch a research institute at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
 Reinforcing the Kingdom’s global momentum, US President Donald J. Trump visited Saudi Arabia in May. The president was accompanied by more than 100 CEOs of leading American tech companies, a historic event that reflected confidence in the Kingdom’s investment environment.
 The visit resulted in the launch of groundbreaking partnerships and strategic investments aimed at accelerating Saudi Arabia’s transition to an AI-driven economy. It further amplified the Kingdom’s global economic influence and its role as a driver of advanced technologies.
 These steps go far beyond financial investments, representing a holistic strategy built on three pillars: Global Alliances, which positions the Kingdom as a key partner in shaping the future of AI; Smart Infrastructure, which is focused on delivering advanced data centers, high-performance computing, and next-generation processors; and Talent Empowerment, which is dedicated to equipping Saudi nationals with education, training, and the tools to develop local AI models and applications.
 In line with this vision, the ministry has announced large-scale initiatives with major global technology companies focused on training, upskilling, and workforce readiness to prepare the Kingdom’s talent for the AI era.
 These efforts have already translated into tangible impact, creating thousands of jobs and boosting Saudi Arabia’s economic footprint. According to IDC estimates, the Kingdom is not merely a recipient of technologies but a producer and global driver of AI innovation, positioning itself among the world’s most influential nations, shaping the future of the Intelligent Era.