DUBAI: The LEAP conference in Riyadh kicks off second day of highly engaging networking and insightful sessions around technology.

Held over three days, the event picks up from the , where many tech deals were announced, and the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to investing in technology renewed. 

In a keynote address, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha said , enumerating local companies leading in this front. 

Several global tech giants also revealed investment plans in the Middle East, in line with a regional trend that sees technology as a driving force for economic diversification, particularly for Gulf countries. 

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The second day will feature more sessions on how society is adapting to the developments in modern technology. 

Saudi energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, is expected to deliver a keynote speech.

Other notable speakers include Frank Salzgeber from the European Space Agency, Nele Leosk from the government of Estonia, and Abdullah Sharif Al-Ghamdi, the president of Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority. 

Updates (GMT)

12.30 鈥� If you happen to be a start-up with an idea on how to develop a smart energy system, then The Red Sea Development Company wants to hear from you. The company鈥檚 ventures director, Michael Slage, issued a 鈥榗ome and find us鈥� plea, insisting that TRSDC does not mind if it does business with established companies or new players in the market.

11.12 鈥� Space technology and the metaverse will receive investment and support from the 黑料社区n government, the Minister of Investment said as he set out the Kingdom鈥檚 digital ambitions. 

10.16 鈥� BSV Blockchain will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the 黑料社区 Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to help investigate how Blockchain can help the Kingdom towards its Vision 2030 strategy.

08.45&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;黑料社区's energy minister hit back against skepticism over the country鈥檚 environmental commitments. Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, minister of technology for energy transition, talked up his country鈥檚 plan to achieve net zero on carbon emissions by 2060. 鈥淭he answer is simple," he said, "instead of waiting for solutions to come our way we should be there to develop this solution and get the world into it.鈥�