The second day of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh showcased advanced artificial intelligence applications across several vital sectors, including intelligent bionic limbs, humanoid robots, satellite-based AI technologies, and advanced computing infrastructure. The event signaled a clear shift in AI technologies from the experimental phase to practical use in industries, public services, and daily life.
Key Exhibits and Innovations
The conference, held alongside DeepFest—a specialized event focusing on AI and deep technologies—featured technical presentations from a range of global companies. Chinese company AGIBOT showcased its latest humanoid robotics technologies, while American firm Supermicro unveiled advanced computing infrastructure solutions designed for AI workloads.
Among the standout exhibits was the bionic hand developed by American company SYNONIC. This advanced prosthetic device is designed to learn from and adapt to the user’s movements. Dr. Adil Akhtar, the company’s CEO, explained that the goal is to make the bionic hand feel like a natural extension of the user’s body, rather than just a compensatory tool. He noted that collecting movement data from users enables training robots to perform the same tasks.
Tawakkalna Platform Achieves Full Integration
The presentations also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and the national deployment of emerging technologies. A notable achievement was announced for the Tawakkalna platform, the comprehensive national app supported by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA). During the conference, 62 government entities were honored after completing the integration of their services with the platform, fully achieving the integration target set for 2026.
The platform currently serves more than 36 million users, processes over 85 million transactions daily, and provides access to more than 1,700 government services. The 2026 integration milestone unified 926 services from the 62 government entities into a single digital interface, reflecting the breadth and evolution of the Kingdom’s digital government ecosystem and simplifying access to government services for citizens, residents, and visitors.
Industry Perspectives on AI's Evolution
In the AI infrastructure sector, Mohammed Zahri, Regional Director at Supermicro, stated that moving from AI experimentation to large-scale deployment requires robust, efficient, and flexible computing environments capable of keeping pace with rapidly evolving workloads. He affirmed that the company continues its investments in the region in line with Saudi Vision 2030, enhancing regional capabilities and investing in human talent to support customers as AI adoption accelerates.
Anabel Mander, Executive Vice President at Tahaluf, said the conference reflects a clear shift in the AI conversation—from focusing on what the technology could do in the future to showcasing what it is actually doing today. She noted that participating companies are presenting technologies aimed at addressing real-world challenges in areas such as robotics, healthcare, space technologies, and digital infrastructure.
Zhang Min, Vice President at Chinese company Unitree, observed that the tech sector is moving from having AI in screens to operating in the physical world. He explained that the company focuses on developing advanced robots that are more accessible, applicable, and scalable. He added that Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the most promising markets for the next generation of intelligent robots.
DeepFest Highlights Embodied AI
The shift extended to the DeepFest program, where Abel Deng, Head of Operations for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific at AGIBOT, described embodied AI-powered robots as representing the next phase in human-technology interaction, following the transformations brought by keyboards and smartphones. He explained that the company integrates perception, cognitive abilities, and action into a single system, enabling robots to interact and work more naturally in real-world environments.
The momentum seen on day two of LEAP 2026 reflects a broader transformation in the global tech sector, with industry leaders increasingly focused on turning advanced innovations into practical applications, commercial partnerships, and sustainable economic impact—reinforcing AI’s role in reshaping vital sectors in the coming period.
