In a move that reflects the significant technological acceleration the Kingdom is witnessing, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Al-Sawaha, announced during the LEAP East 2026 conference in Hong Kong that Saudi Arabia is building one of the world’s most AI-ready digital infrastructures, thereby connecting the East to the West in an integrated technological system.
What did Saudi Arabia announce at LEAP East?
The LEAP East 2026 conference kicked off in Hong Kong on July 8, 2026, gathering over 25,000 participants, 340 speakers, and 450 exhibitors, in addition to 600 investors representing assets worth over $6.5 trillion. Al-Sawaha emphasized during his opening speech that the Kingdom is moving forward to build an advanced digital infrastructure, making it a trusted partner to enable the digital economy and connect the East to the West.
This move comes within the objectives of the 2026 Year of Artificial Intelligence announced by the Kingdom, which includes massive investments exceeding $9.1 billion in artificial intelligence technologies, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi Digital Economy: Record Numbers
The Minister revealed that the digital economy in Saudi Arabia has grown by 75% over the past eight years, reaching $139 billion. Today, the non-oil digital economy contributes 16% of the GDP, a continuously growing figure.
The Kingdom plans to develop 6.9 gigawatts of data center capacity by 2034, of which 3 gigawatts will be achieved by 2030, supported by 12.8 gigawatts of available electricity. This makes Saudi Arabia one of the largest data center markets in the region.
Why is Saudi Arabia focusing on artificial intelligence now?
The Eastern region (Asia) represents an economy worth $34 trillion today, equivalent to 30% of the global GDP. More importantly, the region produces 82% of the world’s artificial intelligence patents and 90% of advanced electronic chip manufacturing. This makes connecting the East to the West through Saudi Arabia a strategically valuable move with enormous economic returns.
Major tech companies such as ByteDance (owner of TikTok) and Lenovo and Tencent have also announced their participation in the Saudi market, further solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a hub for artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
has decided to expand in Saudi Arabia, enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global technological investment destination.
What does this mean for the Saudi citizen?
These massive investments will positively reflect on the citizen in several ways:
- New jobs: Thousands of jobs in the fields of artificial intelligence, data centers, and technology.
- Faster services: Advanced digital infrastructure means faster internet and better government services.
- Investment opportunities: An attractive environment for startups and local investors.
- Advanced education: Training and qualification programs in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence.
- Digital transformation: Accelerating the pace of digital transformation in all government and private sectors.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who benefits from the artificial intelligence infrastructure project?
All segments of Saudi society benefit: the ordinary citizen (faster services), the student (educational and training opportunities), the entrepreneur (stimulating investment environment), and the foreign investor (partner in technical growth).
Where will the new data centers be located?
Data centers are spread across several Saudi cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, in addition to massive projects in NEOM and special economic zones, covering all regions of the Kingdom.
What is the cost of these technological investments?
The announced investments exceed $9.1 billion within the 2026 artificial intelligence strategy, with additional plans exceeding $20 billion in data centers and infrastructure over the coming years.
How long does it take to achieve this vision?
The plan extends over stages: 3 gigawatts of data centers by 2030, and 6.9 gigawatts by 2034, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and beyond.
How do I start in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia?
You can start by registering on the Sobol platform of the Ministry of Communications, or following the free training programs of SDAIA (Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority), and subscribing to learning paths such as Tuwaiq for technical training.
Saudi Arabia is moving steadily towards becoming a global center for artificial intelligence, and the opportunity is available for everyone to be part of this major technological transformation.
