Global Leaders Conclude FII9 With A Message Of Optimism And Economic Growth

The ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) wrapped up with a strong message of hope and resolve. On its official Investment Day, global leaders, investors, and innovators highlighted the start of a new economic era driven by artificial intelligence, human creativity, and a shared belief in progress. FII9 set records with over 9,000 delegates, 2,000 members, 60 strategic partners, and 600 media representatives from more than 60 countries.

More than half of this year’s speakers — 52% — came from the technology sector, underscoring a historic shift toward an AI-powered global economy. The event's focus on technology was evident as Philip Johnston of Starcloud announced the launch of the world’s first AI data center in space. This initiative is powered by SpaceX’s significant reduction in launch costs. "We can now train AI off-planet — cooled by the cosmos," he said.

During the Board of Changemakers session on the third day, prominent investors like Sir Martin Sorrell and Noor Sweid discussed private capital's growing importance. Currently valued at over $13 trillion, it is expected to exceed $20 trillion within five years. This growth positions private capital as a key driver of the global economy.

In another session titled "Is the GCC Becoming a New Strategic Anchor for Global VC?", Prince Fahad bin Mansour described Riyadh as "the capital of capital." He emphasized that it is where founders secure funds and global investors connect with limited partners (LPs). This highlights the Gulf's emergence as a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

The PIF Global Asset Management Forum confirmed Saudi Arabia's status as a leading investment hub. Yazeed Alhumied from PIF announced that Saudi Arabia’s asset management industry has surpassed SAR1 trillion in assets under management (AUM). This growth is driven by product innovation and global partnerships.

Mohammed El-Kuwaiz from the Capital Markets Authority noted that private capital is now Saudi finance's fastest-growing segment. It is expanding at nearly twice the industry rate, with private credit assets more than doubling recently. Executives from major firms like Goldman Sachs discussed this rapid rise.

Empowering Entrepreneurs Globally

The FII Innovators Pitch 2025 showcased startups in fields like AI-designed medicine and humanoid robotics. These innovations captivated investors' attention. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz from Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program pledged ongoing support to help creative entrepreneurs worldwide serve humanity.

Eric Jang from 1X Technologies revealed plans to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots by 2027 during his presentation titled "Rise of the Automata." He described this initiative as "the dawn of robots building robots." Meanwhile, Peter Diamandis introduced SAGE — an AI governance engine developed in Saudi Arabia to aid nations in adapting policies swiftly.

Reframing Global Narratives

A session titled "The Story Behind the Stories" featured senior editors from Bloomberg and CNN discussing Saudi Arabia’s transformation. Manus Cranny of Bloomberg stated that Riyadh has evolved from being merely a place to raise capital to one where investments are made. Caroline Faraj of CNN added that AI has become a national imperative rather than just a buzzword.

The closing session focused on hope and prosperity through peace. Venezuelan Nobel laureate María Corina Machado spoke about moral courage and human dignity alongside Cecilia Attias. Machado stated that "peace requires freedom and justice," emphasizing its foundation on inner coherence.

As FII9 concluded, Richard Attias dedicated the event to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his vision and leadership. He thanked him for being an inspiration behind this initiative while expressing gratitude towards thousands who contributed towards making FII9 an esteemed investment conference globally.

With inputs from SPA