US Tech and Business Leaders Join Trump in Saudi Arabia for Major Investment Forum

As President Donald Trump embarks on his first international trip of his second term, a delegation of prominent Wall Street and Silicon Valley executives is joining him in Saudi Arabia. The event, the Saudi-US Investment Forum, is scheduled for Tuesday and will bring together leaders from various sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), energy, defense, and manufacturing. The forum aims to solidify the business ties between the two nations, with Trump hoping to secure $1 trillion in deals during his visit, according to multiple reports. Among the notable figures taking the stage is Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon. Jassy’s participation aligns with Amazon Web Services (AWS) committing over $5.3 billion to build data centers in Saudi Arabia, crucial for the kingdom's ambition to become a global AI leader. AWS's investment underscores the growing importance of cloud infrastructure in supporting advanced technologies. Palantir CEO Alex Karp is another scheduled speaker. Karp has cited a significant shift in the tech sector towards defense-related applications as a key factor in the company's robust first-quarter performance. This alignment with defense tech may play well with Saudi Arabia's strategic interests in enhancing its technological capabilities. Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and CEO of Tesla, is listed to speak despite a history of unsuccessful business deals with Saudi Arabia. Recently, Tesla announced plans to enter the Saudi market, signaling renewed engagement and potential opportunities for collaboration. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, will also be in attendance. BlackRock established an investment firm in Riyadh last year, reflecting the company's commitment to expanding its global reach. Fink’s recent focus on private markets over ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives suggests a shift in priorities that aligns with Saudi Arabia's investment climate. David Sacks, Trump's AI and crypto czar, is among the White House officials scheduled to speak. Sacks emphasized the importance of AI diplomacy, asserting that America should be the "partner-of-choice" in AI development. His posts on X, the rebranded Twitter, highlight the strategic significance of this role and the potential for international cooperation in AI. Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang is set to represent the chipmaker at the forum. Nvidia has been proactive in engaging with Saudi Arabia, with a top Saudi AI official expressing the hope for accessing the company's high-performance chips by the end of the year. This desire underscores the critical role that hardware plays in AI advancement. Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser is also on the speaker list, having spoken in Saudi Arabia last year. Her presence likely reflects ongoing discussions around banking and financial investments in the region. Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, another major player in the financial sector, is scheduled to speak. Schwarzman has been vocal about his belief that Trump would improve in his second term, and he aims to position Blackstone as a leading investor in global AI infrastructure. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg’s participation comes amidst headlines about a potential $400 million Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gift from the Qatari royal family to the Trump administration for use as Air Force One. While Boeing has a long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia, dating back to the 1940s, this new development has sparked controversy over potential conflicts of interest. Google and Alphabet’s President and CFO Ruth Porat, as well as IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, are slated to speak. Both companies have made significant advancements in AI, with IBM recently expanding its AI efforts in Saudi Arabia and opening regional headquarters there. These moves suggest that Saudi Arabia is increasingly viewed as a viable market for cutting-edge technologies. Omeed Malik, Founder and President of 1789 Capital, rounds out the list. His firm, known for its MAGA (Make America Great Again) social scene and anti-ESG stance, focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth. Malik’s involvement highlights the intersection of political and economic interests in the tech and investment landscape. The presence of these influential industry leaders underscores the strategic importance of the Saudi-US Investment Forum. It signals a strong focus on technology and investment partnerships, reflecting Saudi Arabia's ambitions to diversify its economy and become a global leader in advanced technologies. Industry insiders view this event as a pivotal moment for strengthening bilateral relations and fostering significant economic and technological collaborations. The forum not only provides a platform for discussing current trends and future opportunities but also sets the stage for potential groundbreaking deals that could shape the global tech landscape. The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the speakers, combined with their companies' strategic commitments, suggest a multifaceted approach to engagement that could benefit both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Companies like Amazon, Palantir, Nvidia, BlackRock, and IBM are positioning themselves to capitalize on the growing demand for AI and cloud services in Saudi Arabia, while also contributing to the kingdom's long-term economic goals. In summary, the Saudi-US Investment Forum represents a significant opportunity for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to align their technological and economic strategies. With a lineup of leading executives and a focus on key areas like AI and defense, the forum is poised to facilitate large-scale investments and foster innovative partnerships that could have far-reaching implications. The event marks a new chapter in the tech and investment relationship between the two nations, driven by mutual interests and strategic foresight.