02/17/2025

Communications Minister at LEAP25: Saudi Arabia Accelerates Innovation, Attracts Global Tech, Advances AI Systems

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha has reaffirmed that the Kingdom is accelerating technological innovation by attracting global companies and advancing ecosystems in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and quantum computing, while stressing the importance of anticipating changes and analyzing market trends to maintain leadership in the smart age.
Alswaha, joined by IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna, made his remarks during a discussion session titled "Bringing Tech to Life" at the LEAP25 conference. The discussion, attended by technology and innovation leaders and investors, explored the future of AI and quantum computing while highlighting the Kingdom’s pioneering role in technology and innovation.
Alswaha stated that Saudi Arabia is steadily reinforcing its position as a global hub for digital innovation, thanks to the Kingdom’s ambitious investments in emerging technologies. He stressed the importance of strategic partnerships in driving the transition to the smart age and advancing the goals of Vision 2030.
The session showcased Saudi Arabia’s efforts in AI development, particularly the “ALLaM” project, the largest Arabic-language AI model created in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and IBM. The model was trained on extensive datasets, reflecting a deep understanding of the Arabic language and its diverse applications.
The discussion also covered breakthroughs in quantum computing, with Krishna highlighting IBM’s expectations of a major leap in the field within three to five years, despite some estimates suggesting it could take 10 to 20 years. He emphasized that quantum computing is set to revolutionize energy, materials science, and the pharmaceutical industry, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in leveraging this transformative technology.