When President Donald Trump stepped off Air Force One in Riyadh on May 13, the moment carried more than ceremonial weight – it marked a decisive pivot in 21st-century geopolitics. Far from a routine reaffirmation of US-Saudi ties, Trump’s visit heralded a new era: one where digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and technological diplomacy replace oil and arms as the bedrock of global influence. Dubbed by some as “MAGA in the Desert,” the visit underscored a vision of partnership that seeks not merely to adapt to the digital future – but to shape it.

For over eight decades, the United States and Saudi Arabia have maintained a strategic relationship grounded in mutual interests: energy security, regional stability, and defense cooperation. But today, this alliance is transforming into a dynamic collaboration that seeks to lead the world into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. From Silicon Valley to Neom, the corridors of power are being redefined by algorithms, machine learning, and the global race for digital dominance. In this new geopolitical landscape, it is not oil or territory that commands power – but data, connectivity, and innovation.

Saudi Arabia, under the ambitious leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is emerging as the Arab world’s digital vanguard. Through the Vision 2030 agenda, the Kingdom is diversifying its economy and positioning itself at the forefront of technological change. Its recent unveiling of nearly $15 billion in tech investment commitments at LEAP 2025, coupled with strategic initiatives like the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), signals a country not just playing catch-up, but defining the pace of change in the Middle East and beyond.

This digital surge finds a........

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