LEAP 2026 has opened in Riyadh for its fifth edition, bringing together global technology companies, investors, startups and policymakers for four days of announcements, demonstrations and discussions spanning artificial intelligence, advanced computing, mobility, gaming and emerging technology.
Since launching in 2022, LEAP has grown into one of the largest technology gatherings globally, with this year’s edition expanding across 16 stages, more than 20 content tracks and a broader mix of technology showcases, startup programmes and investor engagement.
Global technology leaders headline fifth edition
The Main Stage will feature senior government and industry leaders including Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha, AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su, Cisco chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, and HUMAIN CEO Tareq Amin.
Other speakers include theoretical physicist Michio Kaku and LaLiga president Javier Tebas, alongside executives and representatives from companies including NVIDIA, Google, Roblox, Uber, Meta, Lenovo, Nokia and Luma AI.
The speaker line-up reflects LEAP’s increasingly broad remit, with the event now spanning enterprise technology, AI, consumer platforms, sports technology and digital infrastructure.
AI takes centre stage in Saudi Arabia’s Year of AI
Artificial intelligence is expected to be one of the dominant themes across LEAP 2026.
The event is taking place against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s Year of AI, with the programme placing greater emphasis on the movement of AI from experimentation and discussion into commercial and operational deployment.
AI-related content will run across multiple tracks, demonstrations and company showcases.
For Saudi Arabia, the event also provides a platform to reinforce its ambition to build a larger domestic AI ecosystem around infrastructure, talent, investment and enterprise adoption.
Robotics and brain-computer interfaces move onto the show floor
LEAP 2026 will also feature a wide range of live technology demonstrations.
At Tech Arena, Unitree robots are scheduled to perform live dance demonstrations, while AGIBOT will showcase its A2 Ultra humanoid robot.
COGNIXION will demonstrate technology designed to let users communicate with and control devices through brain signals.
The inclusion of humanoid robotics and brain-computer interface technology highlights the event’s shift towards more visible demonstrations of emerging technologies rather than relying only on conference discussions.
Future Mobility Zone showcases autonomous transport
The Future Mobility Zone will feature technologies including robotaxis, autonomous delivery drones and flying taxis.
These demonstrations are intended to show how autonomous systems could reshape transport, logistics and urban mobility.
GameX Creative will focus on gaming and interactive entertainment, with new game reveals, a LEAP Roblox obstacle course and an ESL FACEIT esports racing simulator.
SportsHub will also include an interactive Formula 1 experience developed with Saudi Motorsport Company and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, featuring a racing simulator and an interactive journey through the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
A new LEAP Studios area will provide a live hub for podcasts, interviews and creator-led content throughout the event.
Investors representing $14.5 trillion in assets attend
Capital formation remains another major focus of LEAP.
The organisers said 1,289 investors from 1,016 firms representing a combined $14.5 trillion in assets under management are confirmed to attend the fifth edition.
That scale of investor participation gives startups and technology companies access to a significant concentration of global capital.
The Rocket Fuel competition will feature 100 finalists competing for a $1 million equity-free prize pool after receiving more than 3,000 applications.
Ecosystem Xchange will provide founders with further opportunities to access new markets and develop partnerships, while LEAP Connect will provide dedicated networking space for founders, investors and technology leaders.
LEAP Nights extends event across Riyadh
LEAP’s activities will extend beyond the main venue through LEAP Nights.
The programme runs from August 30 to September 4 and includes 60 events across more than 15 venues in Riyadh.
Activities include executive and investor gatherings, founder and venture capital events, cultural activations and community programmes.
The organisers are positioning the programme as a way to extend business networking beyond the exhibition floor while integrating the technology event more closely with the city.
LEAP Nights has also established a motorsport partnership with F1 Saudi Arabia Motorsport.
Through the arrangement, LEAP attendees can access a 20% early-bird ticket offer for the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2027 in Jeddah.
Why this matters
LEAP has evolved into a significant platform for Saudi Arabia’s wider technology strategy.
The event now combines government policy, major technology vendors, startup funding, investor participation and emerging technology demonstrations within a single ecosystem.
The presence of investors representing $14.5 trillion in assets under management is particularly important because it gives Saudi Arabia an opportunity to position Riyadh not only as a venue for technology announcements, but as a regional hub for capital formation and startup growth.
The stronger emphasis on AI, autonomous systems and robotics also reflects the changing direction of the global technology market, where the focus is increasingly shifting from foundational capabilities towards deployment and commercialisation.
Editor’s note
LEAP’s fifth edition is notable less because of its physical scale and more because of how tightly it is now aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader technology ambitions.
The event is becoming a meeting point for infrastructure investment, AI development, startup funding, digital policy and international technology partnerships.
The real measure of LEAP’s strategic value will be what happens after the event, particularly how many announcements translate into operational deployments, long-term investment and locally anchored technology capability.
With Saudi Arabia placing AI at the centre of its economic diversification strategy, LEAP 2026 provides an important test of whether the country can convert global attention into sustained ecosystem growth.
