Record-Breaking FII9 Draws 9,000+ Delegates, 2,000 Members
▼ Summary
– The ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) concluded with record attendance and a message of optimism about a new AI-driven economic era.
– More than half of the speakers came from the technology sector, highlighting a historic shift toward an AI-powered global economy.
– Major technological announcements included the world’s first AI data center in space and plans to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots by 2027.
– Saudi Arabia was positioned as a leading global investment hub, with Riyadh described as “the capital of capital” and asset management exceeding SAR1 trillion.
– Private capital, valued at over $13 trillion and projected to surpass $20 trillion, was identified as the new economic backbone by leading investors.
The ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) wrapped up with a powerful sense of confidence and forward momentum, signaling the start of a new economic chapter defined by artificial intelligence, human creativity, and a collective commitment to advancement. This year’s event broke all previous attendance records, drawing more than 9,000 delegates, 2,000 members, 60 strategic partners, and 600 media professionals from over 60 nations. A clear majority, 52 percent, of the speakers represented the technology industry, emphasizing a profound global pivot toward an economy increasingly shaped by AI.
During the Board of Changemakers session, top investors such as Sir Martin Sorrell, Noor Sweid, John Lindfors, and Fenglei Fang highlighted that private capital, currently valued above $13 trillion and expected to exceed $20 trillion in five years, now serves as the central pillar of the world economy. Technology remained a dominant theme throughout the forum. Philip Johnston from Starcloud unveiled the world’s first AI data center to operate in space, made feasible by SpaceX’s dramatic reduction in launch expenses. He remarked, “We can now train AI off-planet, cooled by the cosmos.”
In a presentation titled Rise of the Automata, Eric Jang of 1X Technologies shared an ambitious plan to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots by 2027, describing it as the beginning of an era where “robots build robots.” Separately, FII Institute Board of Trustees Member Peter Diamandis introduced SAGE, the Sovereign AI Governance Engine developed in Saudi Arabia to assist governments in adapting regulations to keep pace with AI innovation. He referred to the system as “Saudi Arabia’s gift to the world.”
A session at FII9 exploring whether the Gulf Cooperation Council is becoming a strategic anchor for global venture capital confirmed the region’s rise as a vibrant innovation hub. Prince Fahad bin Mansour characterized Riyadh as “the capital of capital, where founders raise funds and global investors meet LPs.” At the FII Innovators Pitch 2025, startups specializing in AI-driven medicine, diagnostic health, humanoid robotics, and sovereign computing captured investor attention. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP), promised ongoing backing to “enable creative entrepreneurs from around the world to serve humanity.”
The PIF Global Asset Management Forum, held in Plenary B, reinforced the Kingdom’s emergence as a world-class investment destination. Yazeed Alhumied of PIF announced that Saudi Arabia’s asset management sector has surpassed SAR 1 trillion in assets under management, driven by product innovation, international alliances, and talent cultivation. Mohammed El-Kuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Markets Authority, noted that private capital represents the fastest-growing segment of Saudi finance, expanding at nearly double the industry average, with private credit assets more than doubling in recent years.
Executives from Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, State Street, and PIF discussed the swift expansion of private credit, ETFs, and quantitative investing. Dennis Walsh of Goldman Sachs described the Kingdom as “one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world for data-driven alpha.”
In a session called “The Story Behind the Stories,” senior editors from Bloomberg, CNN, Al Arabiya, and Semafor reflected on Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation. Manus Cranny of Bloomberg observed, “Riyadh has shifted from being a place to raise capital to a place to invest capital.” Caroline Faraj of CNN added, “AI is no longer a buzzword, it is a national imperative.” Richard Attias, who moderated the session and serves as chairman of the executive committee and acting CEO of FII Institute, summed up the gathering by saying, “FII9 is a lesson in optimism.”
The closing session, “Hope: How Peace Unlocks Prosperity,” provided an emotional conclusion. Venezuelan Nobel laureate María Corina Machado and Cecilia Attias spoke about moral courage and human dignity. Machado stated, “Peace requires freedom and justice. It begins with inner coherence.” As FII9 concluded, Richard Attias dedicated the event to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, saying, “You are the driving force of this nation, and the inspiration behind this initiative. Thank you for your vision, your hospitality and your belief in what FII represents.”
He extended gratitude to the thousands of delegates who contributed to making FII9 the world’s leading investment conference and a clear demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s role as a catalyst for global prosperity.
(Source: Economy Middle East)
