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Tahawul Tech
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Tahawul Tech
Inaugural Tech Arena to offer ‘Live TV' Platform for Next-Gen Innovations
LEAP 2025, Saudi Arabia's award-winning global technology event, will host an array of next-gen innovations from around the world as global entrepreneurs and startups descend on Riyadh – displaying their products to over 170,000 visitors. 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 Image Credit: LEAP
Leaders
09-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Into New Worlds: LEAP 2025 Drives Saudi Arabia's Tech Ambitions
Saudi Arabia is gathering AI leaders, innovators and investors from around the globe at LEAP 2025, the world's largest tech conference. To be held from February 9-12, 2025 in Riyadh, LEAP 2025 aims to explore the future of the technology sector, accelerate innovation, and solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for technology and innovation. LEAP 2025: Largest Tech Gathering The LEAP 2025 Tech Conference is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones; and Tahaluf, a joint venture among the federation, global company Informa PLC, and the Events Investment Fund. Under the theme 'Into New Worlds,' LEAP 2025 aims to discuss the future of the technology sector, explore the latest innovation systems, and exchange expertise in this promising field, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Wide Participation With the participation of over 18 countries, the tech event brings together a select group of tech experts, prominent innovators, global leaders from the public and private sectors, and key stakeholders in the tech industry. LEAP 2025 will see the participation of more than 1,000 speakers and tech experts from across the world, 1,800 exhibitors, and 680 startups, offering a prize pool exceeding $1 million. The fourth edition of the tech conference focuses on harnessing technological and digital transformation, with expectations to attract more than 170,000 visitors. A Platform for Innovation LEAP 2025 returns in its fourth edition with new and exciting features that delve into new worlds, showcasing advanced technology, fostering new connections, and celebrating innovation. The tech event aims to encourage innovative solutions for global challenges by supporting innovators and startups. Moreover, LEAP 2025 focuses of building international partnerships by bringing together tech industry leaders, innovators, investors and startups to forge strategic partnerships. The grand tech conference hosts lectures and workshops presented by tech experts. It also displays the latest tech advancements of global startups. Additionally, LEAP 2025 features an accompanying tech exhibition that showcases the latest tech products and services. New Features The fourth edition of the tech conference brings new features, including the LEAP Nights. It is an immersive experience to discover Riyadh through a series of events. Tech enthusiasts, business leaders and the public can connect, learn and engage in cultural experiences during LEAP 2025. Furthermore, the Tech Arena inspires innovators with a showcase of the latest innovations. Over four days, the Tech Arena will feature live demos, interactive experiences, and cutting-edge technologies. LEAP 2025 also features the Tech Tours, guided tours which highlight the latest government, tech, AI and investor innovations. Moreover, the flagship event includes the Ecosystem Xchange feature, fostering impactful exchanges among global innovation ecosystems to drive growth, foster knowledge sharing and promote collaboration. Rocket Fuel Competition In support of startups, LEAP 2025 organizes the Rocket Fuel competition. It divides 120 startups into six categories, offering prizes that amount to $1 million. The participating startups will be classified according to size, scale, their impact on society, amount of funding, years in business, and number of employees. From February 9-11, 2025, participants will take the stage live in front of a panel of top judges, including investors and entrepreneurs. The top 12 startups will compete in the Grand Finale on February 12 to win one of six grand awards. DeepFest The DeepFest event is a global AI ecosystem that gathers thought-leaders, change-makers, big tech, data scientists, innovators, enterprises, academia, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. The event will see the participation of over 150 speakers and more than 120 exhibitors, with an expected turnout of over 50,000 visitors. Co-located with LEAP 2025, DeepFest displays the latest AI innovations and tech solutions, aiming to discover pioneering technologies, foster connections, exchange expertise, and build partnerships in the field of AI to advance innovation and strengthen cooperation among experts across various fields. DeepFest 2025 focuses on several areas, including robotics, generative AI, customer experience, machine learning, automation and large learning models. Saudi Arabia: A Global Tech Hub As one of the largest tech conferences in the world, LEAP 2025 is a further testament to Saudi Arabia's status as a global hub for technology and innovation. Under the transformative Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to diversify its national economy, including by advancing its technology sector. Moreover, it underscores the unwavering support of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, for the technology sector. It also aligns with the Kingdom's efforts to establish itself as the largest digital market in the Middle East and North Africa. Short link :
Gulf Business
07-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Sporting legends to join new SportsTech stage at LEAP 2025
A line-up of sporting figures and tech industry leaders will take the stage at SportsTech – a new content track at SportsTech is one of two new content stages for the 2025 event, alongside Tech Arena. These additions reflect LEAP's expansion into key industry sectors. Saudi Arabia's focus on sports and its Vision 2030 diversification goals have attracted major industry figures to the event. Hosted by former France and Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra, the SportsTech stage will feature more than 30 speakers, including Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA; Dominic Thiem, Grand Slam tennis champion; Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer, Chelsea FC; and Vinai Venkatesham OBE, former CEO of Arsenal FC, who will be attending LEAP for the first time. Speaking ahead of the event, Javier Tebas said: 'It is an honour for LALIGA to participate in LEAP, a major technology forum. I will address the key challenges and opportunities the sports industry is facing in terms of technology.' Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA. Other notable participants include representatives from Formula E, SailGP, the ATP Tour, the DP World Tour, the Ryder Cup, and the Commonwealth Sports Foundation. Senior representatives from global football clubs such as Newcastle United, Juventus, Chelsea FC, and Tottenham Hotspur will also share insights, along with figures from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the F1 McLaren Racing Team. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet football figures Andrea Pirlo, a World Cup winner with Italy, and Francesco Totti, AS Roma's record goal scorer. Iker Casillas, Spain and Real Madrid's former goalkeeper, now a commentator, and Mathieu Flamini, former Arsenal and France midfielder and now a biochemical entrepreneur, will also be part of the meet and greet. 'Sports tech is changing the way we play, train, and experience sports. I'm looking forward to attending LEAP to explore new technologies shaping the future of sport,' said Iker Casillas. Iker Casillas, Spain and Real Madrid's former goalkeeper, now a commentator. The SportsTech stage is also attracting investors such as Apex Capital, a firm known for its partnerships with sports figures including McLaren Formula One driver Lando Norris, professional boxer Anthony Joshua, and former footballer Raphael Varane. Technology's role in advancing sports production and fan engagement will be a key focus. Topics will include AI, AR/VR, data analytics, fan engagement, sustainable sports tech, business models, and how investments are shaping the sports industry. Recent data from Predence Research forecasts the global sports technology market will grow annually by almost 21 per cent, reaching $117.93 billion by 2034. Saudi Arabia's successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 highlights its growing role in global sports, alongside events such as the Jeddah F1 Grand Prix and investments in ATP Tour tennis, Formula E, football, and esports. 'We have designed the new SportsTech track, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, to bring leading industry figures to Riyadh next month, with discussions covering topics such as performance, fan engagement, sustainable event production, and business success,' said Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP). LEAP 2025 will run from February 9-12 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham.
Gulf Business
06-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
LEAP 2025: New Tech Arena to offer ‘Live TV' platform
Running from February 9-12 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, the fourth edition of LEAP will explore 'The Future of Tech' through immersive showcases in robotics, artificial intelligence, healthcare technologies, and mixed reality. Attendees will experience live demonstrations and hands-on interactions with emerging technologies. Industry leaders including Aramco, L'Oreal, Adobe, Ericsson, Alwaleed Philanthropies, XAR Labs, Devoteam, and Engine VR will showcase the latest trends and advancements. Exploring Robotics, AI, and Beyond The Tech Arena will feature a 'Live TV' platform, offering real-time demonstrations and discussions hosted by BBC Click's Lara Lewington and Spencer Kelly. Visitors will engage with innovations in AI, mixed reality, fashion technology, and brain-computer interfaces. A key highlight will be Anouk Wipprecht's Tech Couture exhibit, where robotic dress collections integrate engineering with fashion. Adobe's 'Project Primrose' will present digital dress technology, introducing dynamic textiles with adaptive designs. AI-Driven Healthcare Solutions Tech Arena will also showcase medical technology advancements, including Aramco-backed Terra Drone's long-range medical delivery system, which aims to improve healthcare access in remote areas. Aramco will also introduce SARA (Saudi Aramco Robotics Assistant), an AI-driven assistant designed to enhance decision-making and streamline operations. US-based Engine VR will present its Golden Gloves VR platform, which uses virtual reality for immersive boxing training. UFC fighter Andrew Sanchez will conduct live demonstrations, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the platform. Global Innovation at LEAP 2025 Alwaleed Philanthropies will present Atlai, an AI tool designed to monitor deforestation and support global conservation efforts. XPANCEO will showcase smart contact lenses that integrate computing power into a lightweight wearable device, offering new ways to interact with digital information. Dr. Valentyn Volkov, co-founder of XPANCEO, commented: 'We are excited to introduce our smart contact lenses at LEAP 2025's Tech Arena. This technology represents a step forward in AR vision solutions.' Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), highlighted the opportunities available to participating startups. 'The Tech Arena offers a platform for emerging technologies and innovators to connect with industry leaders, investors, and technology enthusiasts,' said Mander. 'With more than 170,000 attendees expected, exhibitors will gain significant exposure and valuable feedback.' The Tech Arena is one of two new segments introduced at LEAP 2025, alongside the SportsTech stage. These additions support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of fostering innovation and technological growth. LEAP 2025 will take place from February 9-12 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham. For more details, visit
