Saudi Arabia is investing $14.9 billion in AI initiatives and collaborations with top technology firms to establish itself as a leader in the field. The statement was made at the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference in Riyadh, where Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha outlined the kingdom’s ambitious intentions.
This significant investment will be directed toward AI, emerging technologies, and cloud computing via partnerships with major global players such as Google Cloud, Lenovo, Alibaba Cloud, Qualcomm, Groq, and Salesforce. These agreements aim to expedite technological developments and improve Saudi Arabia’s status as a regional innovation powerhouse.
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco’s senior vice president of technology and innovation, underlined the need for collaboration in unlocking AI’s full potential. He stated that no single entity can drive AI innovation alone, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among many sector leaders in developing sophisticated technology solutions at scale.
One of the standout deals from the initiative is a $1.5 billion partnership between Aramco and Groq to enhance AI-powered cloud computing capabilities.
Other significant investments include Google, Qualcomm, and Alibaba Cloud launching AI-focused initiatives, while Salesforce, Databricks, Tencent Cloud, and SambaNova have pledged investments of $500 million, $300 million, $150 million, and $140 million, respectively.
These efforts demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s determination to become a leader in AI innovation and technological growth. By fostering collaborations with top tech firms, the kingdom aims to accelerate digital transformation and establish itself as a premier destination for AI advancements in the Middle East and beyond.
