Riyadh: Riyadh is gearing up to host the third edition of LEAP (Leading Edge Arab Platforms) from March 4 to 7, 2024 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham. Under the theme "Into New Worlds," the LEAP is the world's most-attended tech event organized by the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, Tahaluf company, and the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at).
The organizing committee of the event recently released a press statement highlighting the participation of renowned industry leaders and experts. IBM Chairman Arvind Krishna, HPE CEO Antonio Neri and Zoom Video Communications CEO Eric Yuan are among the expert speakers expected to share insights at this year's LEAP.
LEAP 2024 is set to cover a diverse range of topics across multiple stages, including the Investor Stage and Main Stage. Discussions will revolve around Web 3, unicorns, tech giant strategies and user privacy in technology. Specialized tracks such as EduTech, RetailTech, FinTech, HealthTech, 4IR, Future Energy and Smart Cities will also be featured, offering in-depth insights into various sectors.
DeepFest, returning for its second edition at LEAP, is in partnership with the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA). With over 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors, DeepFest will focus on pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) and showcasing the latest advancements in the field. The overarching theme of AI will take centre stage at LEAP 2024, exploring its foundations, breakthroughs, achievements, applications and impact. Discussions will also delve into AI frontiers, innovations, emerging technologies, as well as ethical and sustainability considerations.
More than 1,800 global tech exhibitors are expected to participate, including Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, Cisco, Avaya, SAP, ServiceNow, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Alibaba and Huawei. The event aims to bring together leaders, influencers, investors and innovators from around the world, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in the global tech sphere.
Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Haitham AlOhali emphasized the critical role of generative artificial intelligence in the current economic and social landscape. “The event will feature 10 stages discussing various aspects of technology, including health, education, and e-commerce”, he said.
Muteb Alqani, CEO of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, expressed enthusiasm for providing a unique and enriching experience at LEAP 2024. He stated, “This event has been created to empower technology globally; therefore, the upcoming edition brings together the largest tech companies, startups, and investors, all under one roof, which has the potential to lead to numerous investments and launches.”
LEAP returns for the third time this year, following the "huge success" of its last two editions, with over 1,000 speakers, 600 startups, and an expected attendance of 172,000. Riyadh is poised to become a global technological innovation hub as it welcomes participants to the forefront of the tech revolution at LEAP 2024.