ASIATODAY.ID, RIYADH — The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) concluded today (October 30, 2025) with a resounding message of optimism and determination.
On its official Investment Day, global leaders, investors, and innovators declared the dawn of a new economic era — one driven by artificial intelligence, human ingenuity, and a shared belief in progress.
FII9 shattered records, welcoming 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.
Private Capital Becomes the New Engine of Growth
At the third day’s Board of Changemakers session, leading investors including Sir Martin Sorrell, Noor Sweid, John Lindfors, and Fenglei Fang agreed that private capital — valued today at over $13 trillion and projected to surpass $20 trillion within five years — has become the world’s new economic backbone.
AI and Space: Redefining the Frontiers of Innovation
Continuing the week’s deep focus on technology, Philip Johnston of Starcloud announced the launch of the world’s first AI data center in space, powered by SpaceX’s 100x reduction in launch costs.
“We can now train AI off-planet — cooled by the cosmos,” he said.
In Rise of the Automata, Eric Jang of 1X Technologies revealed plans to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots by 2027, marking what he called “the dawn of robots building robots.”
FII Institute Board of Trustees Member Peter Diamandis introduced SAGE — the Sovereign AI Governance Engine, developed in Saudi Arabia to help nations adapt policies at AI speed.
“It is Saudi Arabia’s gift to the world,” he declared.
The Gulf: Capital of Capital
In a session exploring “Is the GCC Becoming a New Strategic Anchor for Global VC?”, Prince Fahad bin Mansour described Riyadh as “the capital of capital — where founders raise funds and global investors meet LPs.”
The session confirmed the Gulf’s emergence as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
Empowering Global Entrepreneurs
At the FII Innovators Pitch 2025, startups in AI-designed medicine, diagnostic health, humanoid robotics, and sovereign computing captivated investors.
CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP), Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz, pledged continued support to “enable creative entrepreneurs from around the world to serve humanity.”
Saudi Arabia: A Global Investment Hub
Running in Plenary B, the PIF Global Asset Management Forum confirmed the Kingdom’s rise as a world-class investment hub.
Yazeed Alhumied of PIF announced that Saudi Arabia’s asset management industry has exceeded SAR1 trillion in AUM, propelled by product innovation, global partnerships, and talent development.
Chairman of the Capital Markets Authority Mohammed El-Kuwaiz revealed that private capital is now the fastest-growing segment of Saudi finance, expanding at nearly twice the industry rate, with private credit assets more than doubling in recent years.
Executives from Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, State Street, and PIF discussed the rapid rise of private credit, ETFs, and quantitative investing — with Goldman’s Dennis Walsh calling the Kingdom “one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world for data-driven alpha.”
Reframing the Global Narrative
In “The Story Behind the Stories”, senior editors from Bloomberg, CNN, Al Arabiya, and Semafor reflected on Saudi Arabia’s transformation.
“Riyadh has shifted from being a place to raise capital to a place to invest capital,” said Manus Cranny of Bloomberg.
Caroline Faraj of CNN added, “AI is no longer a buzzword — it is a national imperative.”
Moderator Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of FII Institute, concluded,
“FII9 is a lesson in optimism.”
Hope, Peace, and Prosperity
The closing session, “Hope: How Peace Unlocks Prosperity,” offered an emotional finale as Venezuelan Nobel laureate María Corina Machado and Cecilia Attias discussed moral courage and human dignity.
“Peace requires freedom and justice,” said Machado. “It begins with inner coherence.”
A Tribute to Vision and Leadership
As FII9 drew to a close, Richard Attias dedicated the event to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, stating:
“You are the driving force of this nation, and the inspiration behind this initiative. Thank you for your vision, your hospitality, and your belief in what FII represents.”
He concluded by thanking the thousands of delegates who helped make FII9 the world’s premier investment conference — and a testament to Saudi Arabia’s role as a catalyst for global prosperity. (SPA)
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