‘To the Future': Saudi Arabia Spends Big to Become an A.I. Superpower

On a Monday morning last month, several tech industry professionals experienced a three-hour traffic jam on their way to a major conference outside Riyadh. Amazon, Google, TikTok, and other companies were attracted by the opportunity to secure billions in Saudi investment as the kingdom aims to develop its tech sector alongside its oil dominance. Attendees at the event faced frustration as they resorted to driving on the highway shoulder or using a dedicated exit for VIPs. The conference, called Leap, drew over 200,000 participants and witnessed numerous deals, including Amazon’s $5.3 billion investment in Saudi Arabia.