Saudi Arabia has strengthened its global technology ambitions with the launch of the first international edition of the LEAP conference in Hong Kong, as the Kingdom positions its Saudi AI ecosystem as a bridge connecting innovation between East and West.
Speaking at the opening of LEAP East on Wednesday, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha said the conference has grown from a Riyadh-based technology event into a global platform for innovation, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The three-day event marks LEAP’s first expansion outside Saudi Arabia and reflects the Kingdom’s strategy to deepen technology partnerships across Asia while accelerating investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
Saudi AI ecosystem connects East and West
Al-Swaha said Saudi Arabia is building one of the world’s most accessible AI-ready digital infrastructures under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He described the Kingdom as a trusted digital partner capable of connecting technology ecosystems across continents.
According to the minister, the East represents a $34 trillion economy, accounting for nearly 30 percent of global gross domestic product.
He added that the region has a digital economy valued at about $10 trillion and a population of approximately 3.7 billion people, representing nearly half of the world’s population.
The minister said Saudi Arabia aims to leverage those opportunities by strengthening collaboration between Asian and global technology markets.
Digital economy powers Saudi AI ecosystem
Al-Swaha highlighted the rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy over the past eight years.
He said the Kingdom’s digital economy has grown by 75 percent to reach $139 billion.
The non-oil digital economy now contributes 16 percent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product, reflecting the country’s broader economic diversification strategy.
The minister also said Saudi Arabia has increased its operational data centre capacity to 467 megawatts, representing 47 percent of the Middle East and North Africa’s total capacity.
According to him, these investments are positioning the Kingdom to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Saudi Arabia expands AI infrastructure
The minister said Saudi Arabia plans to significantly increase computing capacity over the next decade.
He revealed that the Kingdom intends to develop 6.9 gigawatts of data centre capacity by 2034, including 3 gigawatts by 2030.
The expansion will be supported by 12.8 gigawatts of available electricity capacity to meet growing demand for AI computing infrastructure.
Al-Swaha said Saudi Arabia combines the three essential ingredients required for artificial intelligence development: computing power, customers and investment capital.
He added that major technology companies, including ByteDance, Lenovo and Tencent, have already expanded their investments in the Kingdom.
Women drive growth in Saudi AI ecosystem
Al-Swaha also highlighted the increasing participation of women in Saudi Arabia’s technology sector.
He said female representation in the Kingdom’s information and communications technology workforce has increased from 7 percent to 35 percent.
According to the minister, the figure now exceeds the average recorded across the European Union and Silicon Valley.
He added that Saudi women have become global leaders in artificial intelligence participation and digital empowerment, reflecting broader efforts to increase workforce inclusion within the technology sector.
LEAP East showcases innovation
The conference, which runs from July 8 to July 10, features leading Saudi and international technology companies presenting the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, digital government and advanced computing.
Among the exhibitors is Saudi digital solutions company Elm, serving as the event’s official business solutions partner.
The company is demonstrating interactive dashboards, AI-powered government services and computer vision models designed to improve operational efficiency and support digital transformation.
The international expansion of LEAP reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global technology hub while attracting investment, fostering innovation and accelerating the growth of its Saudi AI ecosystem through stronger partnerships between Eastern and Western technology markets.
