Conference Coverage

LEAP tech conference promises expansive insights, opportunity

The LEAP 2025 conference promises insights on the future of tech from key trailblazers. Check this guide regularly for the essential news and post-conference assessments.

Introduction

Tech reshapes the world by the hour, with nonstop breakthroughs in AI and LLMs, cloud, VR, robotics, cybersecurity and more. Technological advances touch most areas of life. Keeping up requires access to leading experts and top industry and business leaders and the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with peers.

During February 9 to 12, over 1,000 speakers covering 17 content tracks will gather in Riyadh for the LEAP 2025 global technology conference to discuss topics like security, the creative economy, healthcare, gaming, smart cities, energy -- even outer space. Event organizers promise opportunities for deepening tech knowledge and making essential connections.

Informa TechTarget’s team will be on site, reporting the latest news from what's been called "a digital Davos." Check this guide to stay informed on the tech changes that are -- or soon will be -- changing your world. In the meantime, check out Mid-East news from Dark Reading:

Biometrics Make Headway in Middle East, Africa
Israel defies downturn in security funding
UAE, Saudi Arabia become cyberattack targets

1The latest from our team-

News from the conference floor

Called by some "a digital Davos," LEAP speakers and exhibitors cover an array of topics. Here are some of the top stories.

News

AI at Leap 2025: Huge potential but a threat to the fabric of society?

Thought leaders in artificial intelligence gathered at Saudi Arabia’s Leap 2025 tech show to set out the next steps for enterprise AI and agentic AI, but also AI’s potential danger to human society Continue Reading

News

Saudi puts $15bn into AI as experts debate next steps

The kingdom’s Leap 2025 tech show is the backdrop for huge investment, plus debate over the future of artificial intelligence as a productivity tool but which can also potentially undermine human society Continue Reading

2Critical reading-

Pre-conference reading

The 2025 LEAP tech conference in Riyadh, runs February 9 to 12, in Riyadh. Catch up on tech news from the region and elsewhere with these articles.

News

KPMG launches metaverse and digital twin hub in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian government’s commitment to investing in metaverse technology has attracted a KPMG centre of excellence to its shores Continue Reading

Feature

UAE eyes quantum computing for financial services

Middle East financial firms are investing heavily in quantum computing, with one of the world’s top quantum research centres in Abu Dhabi Continue Reading

Feature

Neom: The tip of the tech iceberg in the Saudi desert

What is known about plans for Saudi Arabian smart city Neom could be just the tip of the iceberg Continue Reading

News

Upgraded Arabic large language model is twice as big

Techniques that were used to double the power of what was already the largest LLM for Arabic can now be applied to other languages whose native speakers do not yet have access to AI Continue Reading

News

Microsoft UAE power deal at centre of US plan for AI supremacy

Microsoft pens artificial intelligence energy deal with United Arab Emirates oil giant ADNOC Continue Reading

News

Inside Israel’s cyber security operations

An emergency phone line allows cyber security analysts at the Israel Computer Emergency Response Team to map threats against national infrastructure Continue Reading

News

Davos 2025: Misinformation and disinformation are most pressing risks, says World Economic Forum

World leaders, business chiefs and civil society organisations will discuss the risks posed by misinformation, disinformation and artificial intelligence at the World Economic Forum Continue Reading

News

Davos 2025: Digital supply chains at risk as world faces two years of turbulence

World Economic Forum urges digital business leaders to build the resilience of supply chains, improve cyber defences and develop contingency plans Continue Reading