Saudi newspaper report
RIYADH – The third edition of LEAP, the world's most attended technology event, is scheduled to take place at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Mulham, Saudi Arabia, from March 4 to 7, 2024.
Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and Tahaluf Company, this year’s theme is “New Worlds.” The conference promises to bring together more than 1,000 international and local companies and more than 1,000 expert speakers from 180 countries, focusing on the future of technology, with a special focus on artificial intelligence.
LEAP24 will cover a wide range of topics, including technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, gaming, space, cybersecurity and digital twins. The event will feature prominent speakers and experts such as Angela Kane, Elizabeth Adams, Divya Gokulnath, Martin Fellig, Pekka Lundmark, Bjørje Ekholm, Arvind Krishna, Martin Urrutia Islas, Philipp Rambach, Nicholas Dirks, Ott Felsberg, and Dr. Anna Zetter. The DeepFest festival also returns, in partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), to present a variety of stages, talks, training courses and innovative presentations, in addition to the participation of global startups and leading technology companies in the field of artificial intelligence.
Abdullah Al-Sawaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, stressed that the third edition of LEAP will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a center for innovation and technology, and attract significant investments to the region. He appreciated the support of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to contribute to the growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy, noting the country’s emergence as the largest technology market in the region with more than $43 billion and venture capital investments in 2023 exceeding $1.3 billion, making it the largest recipient in the Middle East and North Africa region. .
The Kingdom has also become the largest hub for digital talent in the region, with more than 354,000 young professionals, including a significant increase in women’s participation in this sector to 35%, exceeding averages in the European Union, the G20 and Silicon Valley. Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, expressed their anticipation for this year’s edition, noting the success of the previous LEAP event, which concluded with investments and projects. Launches exceeded $9 billion and attracted more than 172,000 visitors.
LEAP 2024 aims to continue its legacy as a pivotal platform for investors, startups, experts and technology enthusiasts, and play a crucial role in promoting technology companies and investments and driving digital transformation locally and globally.
