LEAP 2026 concluded today, marking the close of its fifth edition. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, Tahaluf, and the Events Investment Fund, under the theme “Into New Worlds.” The event generated significant global momentum in technology and investment, further strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading hub for the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
Held over four days at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, the conference witnessed announcements, investments, and agreements valued at nearly $15 billion. These covered artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing, technology manufacturing, and venture capital, alongside wide-ranging initiatives aimed at developing national capabilities and aligning them with labor market needs and high-growth sectors.
Artificial intelligence and infrastructure investments were among the conference’s most prominent announcements, driven by a network of partnerships launched by HUMAIN with several of the world’s leading technology companies. These partnerships aim to develop AI data centers, cloud infrastructure, AI models, enterprise solutions, and autonomous technologies.
The announcements included the establishment and expansion of large-scale data centers and the development of computing and AI infrastructure. Microsoft also announced that its Azure cloud region in the Kingdom will become available in November 2026, strengthening local data hosting capabilities and supporting the growth of cloud services and digital sectors.
Al Moammar Information Systems (MIS) announced investments worth $1.2 billion to expand its data center operations and increase capacity to 192 megawatts. Meanwhile, NHC Innovation announced an $800 million investment to develop “Khuzam Digital Valley,” with scalable capacity expected to reach 65 megawatts by 2033.
Among the most significant cloud investments, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of its first cloud infrastructure region in the Kingdom in December 2026, as part of a planned investment exceeding $5.3 billion. AWS also announced an expansion of its partnership with HUMAIN to provide up to 50 megawatts of capacity within the Kingdom’s first AI Zone by 2028.
The collaboration will also make the Arabic-language model “ALLAM” available through Amazon Bedrock and offer HUMAIN Fabric through AWS Marketplace. These initiatives will strengthen advanced computing capabilities and enable organizations across different sectors to develop and operate artificial intelligence solutions at scale.
In the field of developer enablement, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Digital Cooperation Organization, and AMD launched an open ecosystem designed to accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence. The initiative provides developers, startups, and software engineers with access to open-source software tools, training programs, and community engagement initiatives.
The initiative provides access to AMD’s AI developer program, its portfolio of computing technologies, and the open-source AMD ROCm software ecosystem, alongside the Digital Cooperation Organization’s tools for AI ethics and governance. This will help develop local capabilities and support the transformation of technology investments into applications and services capable of growing and scaling globally.
The conference also saw Snowflake expand its presence in the Kingdom with a $300 million investment through 2030. The investment includes opening its regional headquarters, launching two additional cloud regions, and training 25,000 beneficiaries. HPE also announced an expansion of its “Made in Saudi” initiative, the launch of an innovation center in collaboration with Intel, and the localization of advanced storage and server solutions.
LEAP 2026 also highlighted achievements in local technology manufacturing, including the unveiling of the first Lenovo laptop manufactured in Riyadh through the company’s partnership with Alat. The milestone reflects the Kingdom’s progress in localizing technology industries, developing national talent, and transferring knowledge and expertise.
In the creative industries sector, Adobe announced a commitment valued at more than $4 billion as part of an expanded partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and HUMAIN. The partnership includes providing Adobe Firefly Standard and Adobe Express Premium features free of charge for 12 months to more than 27 million eligible citizens and residents aged 13 and above by the end of 2026.
The partnership also includes the development of the first image-generation model using Adobe Firefly Foundry, designed in collaboration with HUMAIN to reflect Saudi culture and local context. The model will support the creation of Saudi-inspired creative content using Arabic-language text prompts.
Venture capital investments, funding rounds, and funds announced during the conference totaled approximately $857 million. These investments will support the growth of technology companies and startups and their expansion from the Kingdom into global markets, covering sectors including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, and deep technology.
Source: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology website
