LEAP 2026 to Bring Global AI Leaders to Riyadh as Saudi Arabia Marks ‘Year of AI’
LEAP 2026 is set to bring together leading AI companies, investors and technology innovators in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate its ambitions to become a global hub for artificial intelligence.
Taking place from 31 August to 3 September at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, the four-day event will feature senior executives from some of the world’s leading technology companies, alongside investors, researchers and organisations deploying AI at scale.
Among the headline speakers will be AMD Chair and CEO Dr Lisa Su, HUMAIN CEO Tareq Amin, Lenovo Executive Vice President of International Markets Matthew Zielinski and Accenture Song Creative Chairperson Nick Law. Leaders from EY, PwC, Qualcomm and Luma AI are also expected to participate.
The event comes as Saudi Arabia places AI at the centre of its technology and economic transformation agenda. The Kingdom has designated 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence”, reflecting its growing investment in AI infrastructure, applications and local capabilities.
Organisers said Saudi organisations are increasingly confident about generating returns from AI, with more than three-quarters expecting AI investments to deliver returns at scale within 12 months.
A major focus of LEAP 2026 will be the Tech Arena, which will showcase AI technologies through live demonstrations, working prototypes and inventor-led sessions. According to organisers, 93% of the sessions will feature a live demonstration, working prototype or direct conversation with an inventor, compared with 62% in 2025.
The demonstrations will cover areas including healthcare, accessibility and human-machine interaction. PSYONIC founder and CEO Aadeel Akhtar will showcase an AI-powered prosthetic hand capable of interpreting muscle signals and adapting to its wearer in real time.
Cognixion founder and CEO Andreas Forsland will demonstrate Axon-R, a non-invasive brain-computer interface combining EEG, augmented reality and AI to translate neural signals into action.
LEAP 2026 will also introduce an Inventor Fireside Chat series, featuring technology pioneers including astronaut and Axiom Space CTO Koichi Wakata and Adobe technology creator Mike Pell.
The event is expected to provide a platform for technology companies and Saudi organisations to explore partnerships, investment opportunities and practical applications of AI as the Kingdom seeks to strengthen its position in the global AI economy.
