Integration of services and embodied AI applications at LEAP 2026, smart systems move from screens to field operation

The second day of the LEAP 2026 conference in Riyadh, held concurrently with Deep Fest, witnessed a tangible shift in the trajectory of artificial intelligence technologies, represented by the move from theoretical experimentation to large-scale practical deployment across vital sectors including smart prosthetics, humanoid robots, infrastructure computing, space applications, and digital government services.

Among the top national achievements was the announcement honoring 62 government entities that have fully automated the integration of their services through the unified national app “Tawakkalna”, supported by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), achieving the 2026 integration target at 100 %.This shift integrated 926 government services under a single interface, serving a user base exceeding 36 million, with a daily transaction flow surpassing 85 million.Among more than 1,700 services available on the platform, reflecting the maturity of the digital government system and its ability to handle unprecedented computational and operational loads.

On the hardware and robotics front, attention turned to what is called embodied artificial intelligence. Abiel Ding, Middle East, Asia and Pacific Operations Lead at Agibot, explained that embodied robots represent the next major revolution in human-technology interaction after the eras of keyboards and smartphones, by integrating sensory perception and cognitive capabilities with real-world motor action. In the same context, Zhang Min, Vice President of Unitary, stated that the sector is moving from screen-based solutions to deployment in the physical world, noting that the Saudi market has become one of the most promising environments for receiving the next generation of practical robots.

Practical applications also extended to advanced healthcare, where SiOnic showcased a smart bionic hand that learns and adapts to its users' movements. Dr. Adel Akhtar, the company's chief executive officer, explained that the goal goes beyond providing a prosthetic limb to become a natural extension of the body, leveraging users' motion data to train the robots to perform the same tasks. For her part, Anabel Mander, deputy CEO of Alliance, said that current exhibits now focus on demonstrating what the technology actually achieves in solving challenges in healthcare, space and digital infrastructure, rather than merely displaying its potential capabilities.

This shift demands computing environments capable of handling accelerating workloads, a point emphasized by Mohamed Zahri, regional director of Supermicro, who explained that moving from pilot projects to broad deployment requires reliance on high-efficiency, adaptable infrastructure, with the company continuing to invest in regional talent and capabilities in line with Vision 2030 objectives.

This transformation reshapes technical work priorities across the region, compelling institutions and digital-transformation leaders in the Gulf, Egypt and the Arab Levant to revise their plans, shifting from testing isolated software models to investing in system integration and interface unification. It also raises the professional value of personnel capable of managing hybrid hardware and embodied systems that link data flows with physical movement and real-world operation, making success metrics tied to operational sustainability and direct economic impact.