Musk and Huang join Trump’s exclusive Saudi AI summit

Two of the most influential figures in technology are set to take center stage at a major investment forum that brings together American business leaders and Saudi Arabian officials. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will participate in a discussion focused on artificial intelligence and technological advancement during an event that underscores the deepening business relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The forum is scheduled to take place in Washington at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, just one day after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with President Donald Trump at the White House. The timing highlights the significance both countries are placing on strengthening economic and technological partnerships.

The conversation shaping tomorrow’s technology

The discussion between Musk and Huang promises to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence development and its implications for the future. According to event documents, the conversation will examine the emerging forces driving the next generation of technological progress, with particular attention to the architectures, models and investments that are creating a more intelligent and interconnected world.

Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s minister of communications and information technology, will moderate the discussion between the two tech titans. Both Musk and Huang previously attended a dinner that Trump hosted in honor of the crown prince, signaling their involvement in the broader diplomatic and business proceedings surrounding the visit.

A gathering of corporate heavyweights

The investment forum extends far beyond just the tech sector, bringing together chief executives from some of America’s most prominent corporations. Leaders from Chevron, Palantir, Aramco, Qualcomm, Cisco, Adobe, General Dynamics and Pfizer are all scheduled to participate in the event, creating a rare congregation of business power across multiple industries.

Senior executives from additional major corporations will also attend, including representatives from Blackstone Group, Boeing, IBM, Google, Salesforce, Supermicro, Lockheed Martin, Saudia Group, Andreessen Horowitz, Halliburton, State Street and Parsons Corp. The diverse array of companies represented demonstrates the wide-ranging business interests connecting the two nations.

Trump is expected to address the forum as well, adding presidential weight to an already high-profile gathering. The White House confirmed his participation in what represents a significant moment for US-Saudi business relations.

The crown prince returns to America

This marks Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to the United States since 2018, making the trip particularly noteworthy for observers of international relations and global business. The crown prince, commonly referred to by his initials MBS, is using the visit to showcase the expanding business connections between his kingdom and American companies.

The long gap between visits adds extra significance to the current trip and the business deals and partnerships being discussed during his time in Washington. Saudi Arabia has been working to diversify its economy beyond oil dependence, and partnerships with American technology companies play a crucial role in that transformation.

Multiple sectors in focus

The forum agenda includes panel discussions covering a broad spectrum of industries and topics. Artificial intelligence takes a prominent position, but the event also features conversations about energy, technology, aerospace, health care and finance. This comprehensive approach reflects the multifaceted nature of US-Saudi business relationships and the kingdom’s ambitions across various economic sectors.

The emphasis on artificial intelligence aligns with Saudi Arabia’s stated goals of becoming a hub for technological innovation in the Middle East. The kingdom has been investing heavily in tech infrastructure and seeking partnerships with leading American companies to accelerate its technological development.

Building on previous commitments

The current forum builds on momentum established during Trump’s earlier Middle East trip in May, when the United States and Saudi Arabia announced billions of dollars in investments flowing in both directions. Those commitments covered various sectors and represented a significant expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries.

The November gathering in Washington appears designed to maintain that momentum and potentially announce new partnership agreements or investment commitments. With such a high concentration of corporate leadership in attendance, the potential for new business deals and collaborations remains substantial as the event unfolds.

Source: David Shepardson, Reuters