Saudi Arabia Plans $100 Billion AI Initiative, Hosts Summit 2025

Saudi Arabia is intensifying its focus on data-driven decision-making with the launch of Project Transcendence, a $100 billion initiative aimed at enhancing its technology ecosystem and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The upcoming Smart Data & AI Summit in May 2025 is expected to attract over 500 professionals in the data and AI fields, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment to leveraging data analytics for economic diversification. In Indonesia, Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized a balanced approach to AI, advocating for collaboration with global tech firms to harness innovations from various sources while fostering local talent through competitions showcasing AI-driven projects. The DigiTech ASEAN & AI Connect 2025 event in Thailand is set to continue as a pivotal platform for the digital and AI sectors, with expectations of significant growth driven by government support and a tech-savvy populace. Thailand's digital economy is projected to contribute 30% to GDP by 2030, underscoring the region's expanding role in the global tech landscape. Collectively, these initiatives reflect a regional shift toward adopting advanced technologies and fostering collaboration in the AI and digital sectors.