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DeepFest 2025, the world’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) conference, opened on Sunday in Riyadh, featuring humanoids, robotic dogs, and an automated panda as Saudi Arabia aims to solidify its position as a global AI leader.
The four-day event, running from February 9-12 at the Riyadh International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, is co-located with LEAP, the Kingdom’s global tech event.
Organised by Tahaluf and powered by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the conference was inaugurated by Dr Esam Alwigait, director of the National Information Centre at SDAIA.
Calling DeepFest 2025 “an event where we can see the future unfold before our eyes”, Alwigait highlighted Saudi Arabia’s AI advancements, noting the country’s 14th-place ranking in the 2024 Global AI Index, its rapid AI investments, and its top rankings for government AI strategy and governance in the Gulf region.
“Over the next four days, we will explore how AI ethics and regulations align with innovation and how AI is transforming healthcare, sports, urban messaging, and society,” Alwigait said. “AI is not just a tool but a powerful force for solving complex problems and creating opportunities.”
READ: LEAP 2025 starts in Riyadh, unveiling $14.9bn in AI investments
Robotics and AI ethics take centre stage at DeepFest 2025
Marc Raibert, founder and executive director of the AI Institute and chairperson of Boston Dynamics, addressed attendees on the DeepFest Main Stage. Known for developing robotic dogs, Raibert entertained the audience with a video showcasing his creations performing ballet, backflips, and parkour stunts.
Despite the spectacle, Raibert tempered expectations. “Robots are stupid—dumb as door knobs,” he said. “A person can learn a mechanical task in 10-20 minutes, but it takes a team of scientists and programmers to make robots perform even the simplest actions.”
Raibert’s AI Institute is working on cognitive AI, enabling robots to observe, understand, and replicate complex tasks. However, he dismissed concerns over a dystopian AI future. “I don’t see a scenario where robots take over the world,” he said. “Our lives will continue much as they have for the past 500 years. My advice? Calm down and don’t believe the hype.”
Elsewhere, QSS Robotics showcased automatic baristas, load-bearing robots, and drones, while UBTech introduced Walker, a service robot resembling a panda.
Sony AI President Michael Spranger discussed ethics, creativity, and diversity in AI. “You might think of Sony as an electronics company, but today, we’re an entertainment company,” he said, noting that music, film, and gaming make up 60 per cent of Sony’s revenue.
He outlined how AI-driven diversity measures are improving representation in media and eliminating biases in AI models.
Spranger also highlighted Gran Turismo Sophy, an AI-driven superhuman racing driver who has mastered Gran Turismo Sport and is now training top esports drivers. “AI is helping creators develop better games, pictures, and music,” he said. “Sophy is now part of the Gran Turismo story, catering to racing enthusiasts worldwide.”
Saudi Arabia’s AI investment and growth
Annabelle Mander, EVP at Tahaluf, noted the event’s significance within Saudi Arabia’s AI roadmap. “DeepFest 2025 has reinforced the critical role of AI in shaping technology’s future,” she said. “Co-located with LEAP 2025, which today announced $14.9bn in investments from domestic and global firms, DeepFest serves as a vital platform for global leaders and innovators to explore AI’s transformative potential.”
DeepFest 2025 features over 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors and is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants globally.
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