Accenture joins LEAP 2026 as generative AI partner as the sovereignty bet shifts from national ambition to enterprise capabilities
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The Saudi capital Riyadh is preparing to host the fifth edition of the global tech conference LEAP 2026 from August 31 to September 3. Described by organisers as the largest and boldest since the event began, this edition marks the return of global consultancy Accenture as the official generative AI knowledge partner. The conference aligns with Saudi Arabia's strategic drive to establish Riyadh as a leading global hub for technology and investment under Vision 2030 targets, bringing together tech companies, startups, investors, government leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
This year's edition aims to achieve the highest attendance and impact figures to date, with organisers expecting more than 201,000 visitors, 1,000 speakers, and 1,800 global tech brands, alongside 600 startups and 1,900 investors. The conference agenda covers broad technology tracks including artificial intelligence, cloud and data infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, healthtech, smart cities, climate and energy, space sciences, gaming, sportstech, and digital retail, offering a comprehensive platform to showcase the latest digital transformations in the region and globally.
Accenture plans to use its presence across the four-day conference to hold in-depth discussions with clients and partners on mechanisms for moving AI applications from initial experimentation to full-scale deployment.This approach focuses on generating tangible value across industries, infrastructure, and digital economies, while helping organisations identify where sovereign control and operational resilience matter most within their AI investment portfolios.
During the event, the consultancy is releasing new regional research examining how Middle East governments and enterprises are progressing in building and scaling sovereign AI ecosystems.The research finds that the Middle East leads globally in sovereign AI ambition, prompting many organisations to focus on bridging the gap between national strategies on one side and practical operational capabilities within enterprises on the other.
The report outlines the shifts required across leadership, operating models, and infrastructure to move sovereignty from a compliance exercise to a strategic driver of resilience, innovation, and long-term economic value. The research also highlights a key competitive advantage in the Middle East's access to stable, cost-effective energy, a decisive factor for building sovereign infrastructure capable of sustaining and scaling modern AI workloads.
Omar Boulos, Chief Executive Officer for Accenture in the Middle East and Africa, said the region has moved beyond theoretical debates on AI sovereignty into practical implementation. He noted that the region has made tangible progress in infrastructure, investments, and national strategies, while organisations are now focused on building the institutional capabilities needed to translate these ambitions into measurable outcomes and value.
Boulos noted that sovereignty does not necessarily mean total independence across every layer of the AI stack, but rather securing systems and data where it matters most, building balanced strategic partnerships, and establishing leadership accountability to generate sustainable economic value. Alongside the sovereignty agenda, Accenture leaders are taking part in multiple sessions across the event, with Nick Law, Creative Chairperson at Accenture Song, appearing on the main stage to share insights on applied creativity and how AI is reshaping design and interactive digital experiences.