Manama: Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted the Kingdom's drive to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), speaking at a government press conference held in Riyadh on the occasion of the launch of LEAP 2026.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the press conference, organised by the Ministry of Media at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, was attended by Salman Al Dossary, Minister of Media, and several officials. Alswaha stated that the support and empowerment of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had helped build a national success story in technology and the digital economy, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the global AI race.
He emphasized that the Kingdom was pursuing its ambition to lead the AI era through a growing digital economy, advanced infrastructure, national talent, and an investment ecosystem capable of turning innovation into Saudi products and companies competing in global markets. Alswaha stressed that the Kingdom's technological progress was ultimately measured by its impact on citizens and residents. He noted that HRH the Crown Prince closely follows telecommunications coverage and service quality through regular reports covering service levels, complaints, and remedial measures.
Alswaha reported that the gap in access to telecommunications services had narrowed from 50% to 1%, while the service quality gap had fallen from 15% to 5%, through coordinated efforts with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission and telecommunications companies. These advances, he added, were translating into faster and more accessible government services and AI-powered digital experiences that improve satisfaction and quality of life.