The second day of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh highlighted advanced artificial intelligence applications across critical sectors, including intelligent prosthetics, humanoid robots, satellite-based AI, and cutting-edge computing infrastructure. The event signaled a clear shift from experimental AI to practical deployment in industries, public services, and daily life.
Key Technology Showcases
Held alongside DeepFest, the conference featured live demonstrations from global tech leaders. Chinese company AGIBOT presented its latest humanoid robotics technology, while American firm Supermicro unveiled advanced computing infrastructure designed specifically for AI workloads.
Bionic Hand by SYNONIC
One of the standout exhibits was the bionic hand developed by US-based SYNONIC. This advanced prosthetic device learns from and adapts to the user’s movements. Dr. Adeel Akhtar, CEO of SYNONIC, explained that the goal is to make the artificial hand feel like a natural extension of the body, not just a replacement tool. He noted that collecting movement data from users also helps train robots to perform similar tasks.
Humanoid Robots and Embodied AI
Abel Deng, Head of Operations for Middle East, Asia, and Pacific at AGIBOT, described AI-powered embodied robots as the next frontier in human-technology interaction, following the transformations brought by keyboards and smartphones. He emphasized that integrating perception, cognition, and action into a single system enables robots to interact and work more naturally in real-world environments.
Zhang Min, Vice President at Chinese robotics firm Unitree, observed that the tech sector is moving from AI existing on screens to AI operating in the physical world. He stressed the company’s focus on developing advanced robots that are more accessible, practical, and scalable. He also noted that Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the most promising markets for next-generation intelligent robots.
National Digital Transformation Milestone
The event also underscored Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation journey. A notable achievement was announced for the Tawakkalna platform, the national comprehensive app backed by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA). During the conference, 62 government entities were honored for fully integrating their services with Tawakkalna, completing the 2026 integration target ahead of schedule.
The platform now serves over 36 million users, processes more than 85 million transactions daily, and provides access to over 1,700 government services. This integration unified 926 services from the 62 entities into a single digital interface, reflecting the growing scope and sophistication of the Kingdom’s digital government ecosystem and simplifying access for citizens, residents, and visitors.
Infrastructure and Investment Insights
In the AI infrastructure sector, Mohamed Zahri, Regional Director at Supermicro, stated that moving from AI experimentation to large-scale adoption requires robust, efficient, and flexible computing environments capable of keeping pace with rapidly evolving workloads. He confirmed the company’s continued investment in the region, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, by strengthening regional capabilities and investing in human talent to support customers as AI adoption accelerates.
Broader Industry Trends
Annabel Mander, Executive Vice President at Tahaluf, noted that the conference reflects a clear shift in the AI conversation—from what the technology could do in the future to what it is actually doing today. She pointed out that participating companies are presenting technologies aimed at solving real-world challenges in robotics, healthcare, space technology, and digital infrastructure.
Day two discussions also focused on the role of emerging technologies in driving economic growth, enhancing national capabilities, and accelerating innovation in space, healthcare, and advanced computing infrastructure.
The momentum at LEAP 2026’s second day mirrors a broader global tech trend, with industry leaders increasingly focused on turning advanced innovations into practical applications, commercial partnerships, and sustainable economic impact. This reinforces AI’s role in reshaping vital sectors in the coming period.
For more information, visit the official LEAP 2026 website.