What happened
Saudi Arabia's LEAP tech conference opened with $15 billion in planned technology investments. Together AI signed a deal with Saudi-backed HUMAIN to build a 250 MW AI data center. xAI announced its first data center outside the U.S., starting at 50MW and scaling to 500MW.
Why it matters
Riyadh is competing with the UAE to become the Gulf's AI hub. LEAP 2026 drew leaders from NVIDIA, Google, Roblox, Uber, Meta, Lenovo, Nokia, and Luma AI despite regional instability. Since 2022, Saudi's digital economy grew 69%, from $118 billion to $199 billion.
What to watch
AWS expanded its partnership with HUMAIN, aiming for up to 50 MW capacity in Saudi's first AI Zone by 2028. The Together AI data center is expected to generate over $5 billion in gross annualized revenue in its first year.
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LEAP's delayed start, pushed back four months due to the Iran war, has not dampened its scale. The event showcases 1,800 global technology brands and features senior leaders from major firms like NVIDIA, Google, and Meta. This presence underscores Saudi Arabia's push to become the Gulf's AI hub, a position currently contested by the UAE. The investment deals with Together AI and AWS, both involving HUMAIN, indicate a strategic focus on building data center capacity. HUMAIN serves as the kingdom's key vehicle for AI ambitions, with AWS aiming to provide up to 50 MW in the first AI Zone by 2028. The broader context is a regional race, with the UAE also making significant strides, such as Dubai Airports' recovery and its role in financial systems. However, geopolitical tensions persist, as seen in the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has affected regional aviation and banking. Saudi's digital economy growth from $118 billion to $199 billion since 2022, a 69% increase, highlights the kingdom's rapid technological advancement, even as it navigates regional instability.
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