LEAP 2025: NEOM, DataVolt announce deal to establish first sustainable AI data centre in KSA
Leading the roll call of mega investments to continue the evolution of the Kingdom's technology ecosystem, DataVolt and Saudi Arabian giga-project NEOM announced a US$5 billion partnership to establish the first fully sustainable AI data centre with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts in Oxagon – the floating industrial city being developed in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, Mobily, the Saudi Arabian telecommunications services company, announced an investment of US$911 million in strategic projects to develop digital infrastructure, including submarine cable projects and the development of data centres across the Kingdom.
Elsewhere, Zoom announced a US$75m investment to boost AI and innovation, and establish new data centres to support technology companies and government entities; Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced a US$51m investment in private fibre-optic networks; while SKYFive, the leading telecommunications and internet services provider for aircraft, revealed a US$100m investment in non-terrestrial communications services focused on championing the advanced air mobility sector.
'As we enter the halfway mark of LEAP 2025, we have already surpassed confirmed investments of previous editions and have surpassed US$40 billion in total confirmed investments since we launched LEAP four years ago,' 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).
'What we're seeing this year is commitments being made across sectors, with AI and data centres taking the lead and larger collaborations between local and international businesses, which is at the heart of what LEAP is offering as a platform.'
Smart Contact Lens Advances Offer Unique Vision of Future
At LEAP'S all-new Tech Arena, a dedicated space for advanced multi-sector technology demonstrations, Dr Valentyn Volkov, Co-Founder of XPANCEO, explained how an evolution in technology, materials, and AI-based machine-learning is fast-tracking rapid advances in smart contact lenses.
'At LEAP, we see the future happening in front of our eyes; today, we see that future literally on our eyes with revolutionary technology that will completely evolve the way we interact with real and digital worlds,' Dr Volkov told enthralled spectators during a packed session entitled Beyond Silicon: How Smart Contact Lenses Are Shaping the Next Generation of Computing.
With XPANCEO planning to deliver the first working prototype by the end of 2026, Dr Volkov said the company is developing soft and rigid contact lens versions with a goal of producing a final product no more than one millimetre in thickness despite housing an ultra-compact integrated projector, biosensors, camera, adaptive prescription lens, batteries, and data and power antenna.
The invisible and almost weightless device prototype has thousands of potential uses, added Dr Volkov: 'We believe the next step is not about making smart devices smaller; it is more about ensuring seamless integration of those devices into our everyday life – and that's where the smart contact lens comes in. The product can deliver a full-screen, full-colour, augmented reality experience, with potential for private health monitoring, or even superpowers, such as increased night-time visibility, or zooming into objects far in the distance. The device gives the user ultimate control over everything in their field of vision. This is no longer science fiction; it is almost ready-made reality.'
Describing the XPANCEO team as 'modern day alchemists', Dr Volkov outlined a future where smart contact lens users will be able to control their ophthalmic devices through advanced neural interfacing. He added: 'They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul, which is very true, but from a genetic point of view, the eyes are part of the brain. Therefore, if we can connect our neural interfaces onto the lens, users will be able to communicate with the device via their brain,' concluded Dr Volkov.
Saudi Gaming Ecosystem Witnessing Unprecedented Growth
In an opening keynote session on LEAP's CODE Stage, which is highlighting speakers and companies empowering digital national capacities to accelerate the process of digital transformation, Mohammed Robayan, Deputy Minister for Technology at MCIT, reiterated Saudi Arabia's aim to leverage the US$220bn global gaming market to drive job creation and GDP growth.
'As the Kingdom tries to diversify from oil as part of Vision 2030, gaming and esports hold massive potential and are being driven through projects and initiatives such as the Ignite Digital Content Programme, and the Saudi Digital Academy, which has so far trained more than 1,500 people in the field,' said Deputy Minister Robayan.
When it comes to investment, Robayan also highlighted Ignite's 'Gaming Sector Financing Programme', which is seeking to support growth in the private sector through gaming and esports with an investment budget of SAR300 million, increasing the amount of funding and options available to small and medium enterprises operating in the digital content sector.
Accenture Technology Vision 2025 Report Predicts AI Will Unleash Unprecedented Business Autonomy in Future Workplaces
New research from Accenture, announced on the second day of LEAP 2025, has pointed to a new era of digitisation — where AI continuously learns and drives new levels of autonomy across organisations. The Accenture study suggests trust in AI's performance is the single most important measure organisations need for the technology to achieve its promise.
The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 report explores how the future is being shaped by AI-powered autonomy. As diffusion of AI accelerates across the enterprise sphere and wider society faster than any prior technology, 65 per cent of Saudi-based executives believe it brings new urgency to reinvention and how technology systems and the processes they enable are designed, built, and operated. The research also predicts the technology will increasingly act as a development partner, power robotic bodies in the physical world, and foster a new symbiotic relationship with people to bring out the best in each other.
'The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 gives leaders a look into what's ahead when AI continuously learns, acts autonomously with, and on behalf of, people, and pushes enterprises and people into new and exciting ways to continuously reinvent,' said Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture. 'But unlocking the benefits of AI will only be possible if leaders seize the opportunity to inject and develop trust in its performance and outcomes in a systematic manner, so businesses and people can unlock AI's incredible possibilities.'
More than 1,800 tech brands and 680 start-ups are exhibiting at LEAP 2025 this week, alongside a stellar lineup of 1,000-plus expert speakers across 15 stages, highlighting the tech that is shaping tomorrow. For more information on the event and ticket options, visit onegiantleap.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Crypto Insight
4 hours ago
- Crypto Insight
Crypto exchange Gate launches spot trading services in the US
Crypto exchange Gate is launching in the United States, offering spot trading services to US customers for the first time. Founded in 2013 by Chinese scientist Lin Han, the company cited improved regulatory clarity in the country as the reason behind the move. According to Gate, it will initially offer crypto trading pairs for US customers, with upcoming services for fiat on- and off-ramps and support for custodial wallets. As of July 24, the exchange offered over 3,800 trading pairs on its platform, one of the largest asset varieties in the market. Spot trading volume on Gate reached $6.8 billion in the past 24-hours, according to CoinMarketCap. 'As a strategic hub in the global crypto landscape, the United States has long held a significant position in areas such as digital finance regulation, technological innovation, and capital market development, attracting major crypto platforms from around the world,' the company said in a statement. The move comes as crypto exchanges are reentering the United States amid increased regulatory clarity. After President Trump promised to make the US 'the world capital of crypto,' lawmakers have introduced bills aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets, including the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act. More crypto exchanges enter the United States Crypto exchange OKX reentered the market in April 2025 following a $505 million settlement with the US Department of Justice. The company is reportedly considering a initial public offering in the country. was also rumored to restart services to customers. According to Chainalysis, the United States' crypto markets stand out globally by a wide margin. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the country received over $750 billion in crypto value, dwarfing other top countries like the United Kingdom and Russia. According to 28% of American adults, or around 65 million people, owned crypto in 2025, and 14% of Americans who don't own crypto plan to buy some in 2025, while 67% of current holders plan more purchases. Bitcoin is the most commonly owned cryptocurrency, followed by Ether. Source:
Arabian Business
8 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala invests in AI open-source company Anaconda
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Capital has participated as one of the main investors alongside Insight Partners in the US$150 million Series C funding of Anaconda Inc, the company committed to advancing AI with open source at scale. The company operates profitably with over US$150 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) as of July 2025. The new funding values the startup at about US$1.5 billion. Acquisitions on their mind Capital will be invested in new AI features, strategic acquisitions, and to fuel Anaconda's global expansion into new markets. Additionally, the funding will offer liquidity options for current and former employees, driving the company's continued momentum and growth. This news comes on the heels of Anaconda's newly launched AI Platform as well as a recently announced partnership with Databricks, the data and AI company. Since its founding in 2012, Anaconda has been one of the most trusted and widely used Python distribution platforms, with over 21 billion downloads and 50 million users. Today, more than 10,000 large enterprises rely on Anaconda to build and manage AI systems effectively. The infusion of capital comes at a pivotal moment as enterprises shift from isolated data science projects to building compound AI applications, validating Anaconda's mission to empower organisations and builders to innovate with data through a unified open source ecosystem for enterprise Python—the coding language that has become synonymous with AI development. George Mathew, Insight Partners Managing Director, said: 'As agents and compound AI systems gain traction, companies need a foundational platform to effectively manage key open source artifacts and components to drive fast, scalable innovation. Anaconda takes this a step further by layering simplicity and security to AI in enterprise landscapes. 'As enterprises move from specialised data science to generalised AI systems, we believe Anaconda is incredibly well-positioned for this generational shift.'
Sharjah 24
9 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
UAE spearheads dialogue to redefine future of media
The event serves as a critical milestone in the lead-up to the BRIDGE Summit 2025 - the largest platform uniting media, cultural and creative content creators, leaders, and decision-makers to transform how the world communicates, set to take place in Abu Dhabi, from 8 - 10 December 2025. Following the successful events in New York, London, and Osaka, Shanghai becomes the latest hub for the global conversation on how today's information dynamics are reshaping economies, governance, culture, and public trust. At this pivotal gathering, leading voices from Asia and beyond came together to discuss the region's growing influence on global media and culture, and to examine the role of innovation and responsibility in the fast-changing media landscape. Shanghai provided a dynamic backdrop for the BRIDGE Roadshow, aligning with the city's prominent role in the global media and tech landscape. In the presence of Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Media Council; Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul-General of the United Arab Emirates in Shanghai; and Khalid Al Shehhi, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in China, the event attracted leaders from across media, technology, and business to discuss how innovation, technology, and cultural influence are converging in the global media narrative. A central theme of the Shanghai event focused on the role of innovation in media and how China's platforms and creators are reshaping the global media landscape. A key discussion, moderated by John Darling, Co-Founder & CEO, Creative Capital Ventures, centred on whether Chinese stories could shape the international narrative, considering how China's unique position in global media offers new opportunities for soft power. The panellists, including Joleen Liang, Co-Founder & President of Squirrel AI Learning, Zengxin Li, Deputy General Manager of Caixin Global, and Dennis Potgraven, Chief Strategy Officer of WPP Media China, explored the challenges and opportunities of this dynamic. They discussed how Chinese platforms are influencing perceptions both locally and globally, with an emphasis on how these platforms are redefining what it means to tell a story in today's interconnected world. Another central theme in Shanghai was the potential of gaming as the next frontier of cultural influence. A talk, led by Fangda Wan, Founder & General Partner of Gam3Girl Ventures, discussed how China's gaming industry is rapidly evolving into a nearly US$50 billion market, offering new ways to blend technology with culture. Speakers examined how gaming is becoming a powerful force in global media, allowing for new forms of storytelling that merge traditional Chinese narratives with cutting-edge technology. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Media Council, emphasised that the Shanghai stop of the BRIDGE Roadshow marks a defining moment, highlighting China's dynamic media and cultural landscape and its growing impact on shaping global narratives. The Chairman stressed that the challenges facing global media today are not limited to tools or platforms, but extend to the overarching vision guiding them. While technologies continue to evolve rapidly, there remains a pressing need for a comprehensive intellectual outlook that reaffirms the media's humanistic and civilisational role as a platform for meaningful content and a key contributor to knowledge-based societies and future economies. He also underlined that the Roadshow's path through New York, London, Osaka, and now Shanghai reflects the UAE's deep-rooted commitment to cultivating more balanced and inclusive global media perspectives. This effort is rooted in the UAE's core belief in building bridges of communication and fostering meaningful cultural exchange. The Chairman concluded by stating that the discussions held during the Shanghai stop will help enrich the agenda of the upcoming Bridge 2025 Summit in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as a platform bringing together media decision-makers and influence alliances, aiming to explore the future of media and strengthen its role as a partner in development, innovation and global understanding. For his part, Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Director-General of the UAE National Media Office, shared his perspective on the evolving media ecosystem. He said, 'As the media landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, China's innovative leadership in media and cultural industries is playing a pivotal role in shaping global narratives. Through a unique blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology, Chinese platforms and creators are expanding the boundaries of soft power, offering diverse perspectives that are reshaping how news and stories are consumed around the world. BRIDGE provides an essential platform to bring together leaders and innovators from across the globe, helping to ensure that the stories we tell remain authentic, inclusive, and impactful.' The BRIDGE Roadshow series is designed to fuel an ongoing discussion about the future of media. Each stop contributes to Connecting Conversations, an evolving series of insights that will inform the programming and partnerships for BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi. In New York, the focus was on AI's role in ensuring trust in media, while London explored narrative diplomacy and the responsibility of media in cross-border relations. Osaka, which preceded Shanghai, placed a strong emphasis on media innovation and the ethical use of generative AI. Osaka, which marked the third stop on the roadshow after New York and London, explored themes of AI, media innovation, and cultural authenticity, setting the stage for Shanghai to dive deeper into China's role in shaping global narratives. In Shanghai, with its dynamic creative economy, further explored the delicate balance between technological advancement and cultural authenticity in the media space. The roadshow continues to build momentum, offering new perspectives on how media, technology, and culture intersect in a rapidly transforming world. BRIDGE Summit 2025 will serve as a space for content creators, artists, influencers, and agencies — those who know how to engage — to join forces with government entities, investors, and corporations — those who have the power to shape change. By bridging these two worlds, the summit will unlock purpose-driven collaborations that shape public perception and influence behaviour across borders. This is where thought leadership meets business innovation — providing the space and tools for a new generation of global communicators to co-create solutions that transcend entertainment and drive tangible, lasting impact.
