Inaugural Tech Arena to offer ‘Live TV' Platform for Next-Gen Innovations
The prototypes will be showcased inside LEAP's inaugural Tech Arena, an innovative 'live TV' platform that promises to inspire curiosity, collaboration, and the transformative potential of new technology.
Running from February 9-12 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, the theme of the fourth edition of LEAP is 'The Future of Tech', and the Tech Arena platform will offer an immersive journey into robotics, artificial intelligence, healthcare technologies, mixed reality, and the prototypes that push boundaries.
Attendees will have access to live showcases and hands-on interactive experiences that bring future tech to life, while emerging talents will join major enterprises such as Aramco, L'Oreal, Adobe, Ericsson, Alwaleed Philanthropies, XAR Labs, Devoteam, and Engine VR inside the Tech Arena, to highlight the very latest trends in technology.
Unveiling Next-Gen Innovations: Robotics, AI, and Beyond
The Tech Arena's interactive format will feature live demonstrations and sessions hosted by BBC Click icons and internationally renowned technology journalists Lara Lewington and Spencer Kelly. Designed to position visitors at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, everything from AI and Mixed Reality to Fashion Tech and Brain-Computer Interfaces will feature, providing Tech Arena visitors with a window into the future.
The Tech Arena will serve as an intersection between the worlds of design and technology. Anouk Wipprecht's Tech Couture exhibit will blur the lines between fashion and engineering with robotic dress collections that move and react in life-like ways. Keeping in tune with the fashion tech theme, Adobe will bring its 'Project Primrose' digital dress, heralding a future of wearable, instantly changeable textiles opening up new paths for creativity.
Revolutionising Healthcare with AI-Driven Solutions
The inaugural Tech Arena will also feature advancements in medical technology, including the Aramco-backed Terra Drone's long-range medical delivery tech, which can transport essential medical supplies to remote areas by air. The Aramco technology has the potential to revolutionise healthcare access in underserved communities, and the company will demonstrate its latest AI-trained assistant SARA (Saudi Aramco Robotics Assistant), which leverages AI to streamline decision-making and provide intuitive, personalised interactions.
Elsewhere inside the Tech Arena, US-based Engine VR will exhibit its Golden Gloves VR platform, which uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive, gamified boxing experience for fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes, and entertainment seekers. Professional UFC fighter Andrew Sanchez will be giving live demonstrations of the new technology, and attendees will have the opportunity to experience the platform themselves across various experience levels and scenarios.
Global Innovators Converge at LEAP 2025
Additionally, Alwaleed Philanthropies, a Saudi Arabian NGO, that initiates, supports, and collaborates on projects around the world, will be demonstrating an AI reporting tool called Atlai, designed to preserve the world's natural forests and combat deforestation. Atlai leverages AI technology to monitor and generate reports on deforestation events worldwide for advocates of the protection of global ecosystems.
Attendees can also learn about XPANCEO's smart contact lenses, which integrate computing power directly into a weightless wearable device. The lenses usher in a new era of seamless interaction with data in any environment.
'At XPANCEO, we are looking forward to showcasing our revolutionary smart contact lenses at LEAP 2025's inaugural Tech Arena,' said Dr Valentyn Volkov, the co-founder of XPANCEO. 'Our innovative wearable technology promises to advance the seamless integration of human senses and data, and we believe LEAP 2025 is the perfect platform to introduce our newest advances in AR vision technology.'
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, who co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), highlighted some of the benefits that innovative startups from around the world can expect.
'The Tech Arena is a unique opportunity to experience tomorrow's world today,' she said. 'With more than 170,000 attendees anticipated, exhibitors will have the chance to captivate a diverse audience of tech professionals, enthusiasts, and investors. This inaugural segment will host the most innovative and impactful technologies from budding innovators worldwide, who will, in return, gain unparalleled exposure and receive valuable feedback on their groundbreaking solutions.'
Mander added that the new arena exemplifies Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 commitment to inspire and foster innovation. 'By creating a space where innovators can connect with global audiences and investors, we're contributing to the Kingdom's goal of becoming an impactful global tech hub.'
The Tech Arena is one of two transformative new stages at LEAP 2025, the other offering a series of sessions focused on SportsTech. These additions reinforce LEAP's mission to inspire, innovate, and push industry boundaries into new worlds, propelling LEAP and Saudi Arabia towards new standards in innovation and technological advancement.
To learn more, visit https://onegiantleap.com/tech-arena
Image Credit: LEAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Nvidia-backed CoreWeave shares drop as growing losses eclipse AI demand surge
13 Aug 2025 13:48 (REUTERS)CoreWeave shares sank 10% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the Nvidia-backed company posted a bigger-than-expected loss, raising doubts about its ability to keep costs under check amid robust AI results underscore the tension between its rapid revenue growth and mounting financial strain as operating expenses jumped nearly fourfold to $1.19 billion in the second have turned skeptical of CoreWeave's excessive dependence on certain customers and its ability to grow profitably due to widening losses, heavy capital needs and deteriorating debt company on Tuesday posted a net loss of $290.5 million, compared with analysts' average estimate of $190.6 million, according to data compiled by LSEG."CoreWeave does not currently generate enough profit to pay all its debt holders, certainly not equity holders," D.A. Davidson analysts company had around $8 billion in debt as of last year and had said in March that it would use about $1 billion of the IPO proceeds to repay Michael Intrator said the company is scaling rapidly to meet "unprecedented demand for AI", but noted that "accessing power shells capable of delivering the scale of infrastructure our clients require" remains the biggest operates 33 AI data centers in the United States and Europe, offering access to backer Nvidia's GPUs, which are highly sought after for training and running large AI demand for its AI infrastructure helped the company top quarterly revenue estimates. Its stock price has jumped nearly three-fold since its IPO in will seek clarity on the lock-up period related to the company's IPO, which could expire later this week compared to the typical six-month time a stock is pressured when the lock-up ceases. Barclays analysts said the company's operating cash flow and capital expenditure for the quarter could be scrutinised going into the lock-up expiry.
Arabian Post
6 days ago
- Arabian Post
Public Companies and Funds Dominate Bitcoin Accumulation
Corporate treasuries and investment funds have made significant moves into Bitcoin this year, with a staggering 371,111 BTC purchased since January. This figure, more than three times the amount mined during the same period, signals the growing influence of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market. These acquisitions come amid an evolving strategy pioneered by Michael Saylor, the founder of MicroStrategy, whose company continues to lead the pack in BTC purchases. Saylor, an early advocate of Bitcoin, has been vocal about the digital asset's potential as a hedge against inflation and a store of value, especially in an era of increasing economic uncertainty. MicroStrategy's strategy of accumulating Bitcoin on its balance sheet has served as a model for other corporate investors looking to diversify their cash reserves. The company currently holds over 150,000 BTC, solidifying its position as the largest publicly traded corporate holder of Bitcoin. This trend is not limited to MicroStrategy alone. A growing number of public companies have followed suit, with many purchasing Bitcoin as part of their long-term investment strategies. Among the most prominent in this movement are Tesla, which made a significant BTC purchase in early 2021, and Block, the payments company founded by Jack Dorsey. Both have maintained substantial Bitcoin holdings, and their actions continue to inspire others in the corporate sector to consider the digital asset as a viable alternative to traditional assets like cash or bonds. ADVERTISEMENT The accumulation of Bitcoin by public companies and investment funds is also evidenced in the growth of Bitcoin-backed exchange-traded funds. Major ETFs have amassed nearly $151 billion worth of BTC, accounting for a significant 6.47% of the total circulating supply. This figure reflects the increasing mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin and the growing appetite for institutional investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without the direct complexities of buying and storing the digital asset. The Bitcoin ETF market has rapidly matured, with various products offering different exposure options. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust and the Purpose Bitcoin ETF, for example, have emerged as key players, providing institutional and retail investors alike with a more accessible way to hold Bitcoin. These funds have not only bolstered institutional interest but also helped legitimize Bitcoin as an asset class in the eyes of traditional finance. One of the key factors driving this wave of institutional adoption is the desire for better yield in an environment of low-interest rates and rising inflation. Bitcoin's scarcity, with a maximum supply of 21 million coins, makes it an attractive proposition for funds and corporate treasuries looking for an alternative store of value. As inflation fears continue to loom, particularly in the wake of expansive monetary policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bitcoin offers an attractive hedge against potential currency devaluation. The maturity of the Bitcoin network and its increasing institutional infrastructure, including custodial services, derivatives markets, and improved regulatory clarity, have made it easier for large investors to enter the market with confidence. This growing institutional infrastructure is also helping reduce some of the risks traditionally associated with cryptocurrency investments, such as security concerns and price volatility. However, not everyone is convinced of the long-term benefits of Bitcoin. Critics argue that the digital asset remains highly speculative, with no inherent value other than what investors are willing to pay. Regulatory uncertainty also continues to cast a shadow over the market, with governments worldwide scrutinizing the use of Bitcoin in financial systems and its role in money laundering and illicit activities.
Al Etihad
06-08-2025
- Al Etihad
Space42 reports net profit of $53 million in H1 2025
7 Aug 2025 00:40 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Space42, ADX-listed SpaceTech company, reported a stable performance for the first half of 2025, achieving a normalised net profit of $53 million—matching its result from the same period last year, but with improved margins. Despite a 17% year-on-year decline in revenue to $226 million, the company demonstrated operational resilience with a 4-percentage-point increase in profit margin, reaching 23%.EBITDA for the period stood at $112 million, down 14% from H1 2024, though margins rose by 2 percentage points to 49%.Space42 closed the half-year with a robust liquidity position, holding $816 million in cash and short-term deposits. The company also secured a $0.7 billion Export Credit Agency-backed financing facility, backed by a substantial $6.8 billion in contracted future expenditure reached $109 million, while the firm maintained a negative net debt position of $478 million and a healthy net leverage ratio of - on the results, Karim Sabbagh, Managing Director of Space42, said: 'H1 2025 demonstrates our commitment to operational excellence and capability building. The momentum across our platform shows that our dual-use capabilities deliver both commercial success and strategic value. With Thuraya-4 entering commercial operation and our programmatic approach taking hold, combined with sustained optimisation, we're positioned for growth aligned with market demand.'The company's Space Services segment grew 2% year-on-year in Q2 2025, generating $100 million in revenue, with notable expansion in the oil and gas Solutions, while impacted by the phasing of long-term projects, continued to scale up manufacturing and analytics capabilities, positioning itself for stronger performance in H2. Space42 was formed in 2024 by the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat. Major shareholders include G42, Mubadala, and IHC. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
