05/14/2025

Elon Musk in Riyadh: Robotics and AI Drive Saudi-US Strategic Partnership

Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI CEO Elon Musk and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha took part in a high-profile dialogue session during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh. The event underscored the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Alswaha opened the session by saying that the relationship between the two nations has entered a new phase, moving from an energy-based economy to one driven by innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). He praised Musk's influence in advancing global technological transformation.
The minister stressed that under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Saudi Arabia has aimed to adopt transformative technologies such as AI and robotics, positioning the Kingdom as a global innovation platform and a major hub for AI and the digital economy.
Musk said during the session that humanoid robots represent a productivity revolution that could expand the global economy tenfold. He argued this could lead to an economy of abundance and a model of “comprehensive high income” that goes beyond the traditional universal basic income concept.
Alswaha highlighted the Kingdom’s progress in enabling cloud services, digital infrastructure, and AI value chains, saying these efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s ambition to lead in the post-data era. He affirmed the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a center for responsible and effective AI innovation.
Musk thanked Saudi Arabia for adopting the Starlink service in the aviation and maritime sectors, describing it as a significant step toward supporting the future of global communications technology. He discussed potential cooperation in smart mobility, including RoboTaxi projects and The Boring Company’s tunnel transportation systems for Saudi cities. Such technologies, he said, could transform urban areas and improve transit efficiency.
Musk closed the session with an optimistic outlook for humanity, urging a model of progress that blends prosperity, exploration, and coexistence with advanced technology. He called for international cooperation to establish ethical frameworks for AI and emerging technologies.
Alswaha concluded by affirming that the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States is a foundation for building a smarter, more just, and sustainable global economy. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration to drive innovation for the benefit of humanity.