LEAP 2025, organized annually by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), is a four-day, globally-attended conference on the latest innovations changing the world we live in. The U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) was represented at LEAP by Vice President Ana Carmen Neboisa, who had the opportunity to promote the business of the USSBC’s members to the industry leaders and stakeholders in attendance at the conference. Several USSBC member companies were represented by featured speakers at this year’s LEAP, including Honeywell, Citigroup, Zoom, Lockheed Martin, and Aramco.
The conference was a striking success in bringing together the most innovative minds in today’s tech world and furthering U.S.-Saudi economic cooperation on the technologies of the future. LEAP 2025 opened to $14.9 billion (SR55.9 billion) in newly announced investments into Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence sector, many of which include new high-profile U.S.-Saudi partnerships and agreements. In particular, USSBC Chairman’s Circle member Aramco announced an historic $1.5 billion (SR5.63 billion) partnership with U.S.-based Groq to integrate AI-powered infrastructure and cloud computing services into Aramco’s operations.
Taking place from February 9–12, 2025, this year’s edition of LEAP focused on fintech, edutech, smart cities, healthtech, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) innovations, future energy, gaming, space, and artificial intelligence. Over 200,000 attendees and 1,500 exhibitors attended over the course of the event, with over 1,000 industry-leading speakers discussing various topics on the future of global technology.
The USSBC’s attendance at LEAP follows their recent mission organized by the USSBC of 12 U.S. companies from the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector to Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 3-6, 2025. The companies in the delegation represented a sample of upcoming technologies and industries being explored at LEAP, including hybrid electric aircraft, hydrogen powered eVTOLs, methanol-based power solutions for fuel cell grade hydrogen, counter-drone systems, advanced weather analytics, vertiport infrastructure design, advanced avionics and sensors, autonomous ground vehicles for runway inspections, and advanced air transportation operations.
Next year’s LEAP will be held from April 13-16, 2026. To learn about how the USSBC can help your company attend the next LEAP or become a part of the innovative industries developing in Saudi Arabia, contact us today.
