The 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference just concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, running from October 29th to 31st, 2024. This year’s theme was “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.”
First launched in 2017, the Future Investment Initiative, also known as ‘Davos in the Desert’ and the largest international investment conference in the Middle East, is the flagship conference of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, a non-profit foundation and investment arm that has prioritized AI & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
FII8 as this year’s event is called, held a variety of external engagements and conference gatherings throughout the week of October 27 for FII Institute members, invited delegates, and strategic partners.
FII8 conference sessions explored the concept of megaregions —large, interconnected economic zones— as new centers of opportunity and discussed the role of capital in supporting these economic hubs.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a dominant theme for this year’s FII with experts projecting AI will contribute $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
FII8 saw the launch of several initiatives, including a global initiative to enable AI in emerging markets and the Ocean Central, a digital platform developed by Wave and powered by FII Institute, which collates data and provides a clear and evolving view of ocean health, an urgently needed resource in efforts to regenerate our oceans.
Additionally, numerous investment initiatives were announced to support innovative projects in renewable energy, healthcare, and technology.
The institute also released several reports, including the FII PRIORITY Compass and the Global Future of Work Compass. FII PRIORITY Compass is based on the opinions of over 22,000 individuals from 21 countries, highlighted global priorities such as governance, healthcare, and the cost of living.
The Global Future of Work Compass surveyed over 1,300 individuals and 200 companies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The report indicates that 50% of respondents find advanced technology disruptive, and 46% believe youth tech training is insufficient, underscoring the need for proactive education reform and upskilling.
- Opening Plenary Session: The day commenced with insightful remarks by Attias, setting the stage for discussions that would bridge investment, innovation, and sustainable development. H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), followed with a call to action, urging leaders to harness innovative strategies in the face of global shifts.
- H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan introduced the findings of the 2024 FII PRIORITY Compass: providing crucial insights into the evolving landscape of global challenges. The report highlighted urgent priorities such as cost of living, governance and healthcare, urging stakeholders to align their strategies with sustainable development goals. He notes, “At this crucial moment, we stand on the edge of infinite horizons. We have the responsibilities and opportunities to shape a future that invests not only in our economies, but in humanity itself.”
- Board of Changemakers: Geoeconomics: A distinguished panel, including BlackRock’s Laurence Fink, Moderna’s Stephane Bancel, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Laura Cha, Citadel’s Ken Griffin, Sanofi’s Paul Hudson, Google’s Ruth Porat, HSBC’s Former Group CEO Noell Quinn, Facebook’s Co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Former CEO & Chairman, Google KBE Dr. Eric Schmidt, The Blackstone Co-Founder and Chairman, Stephen Schwarzman and Carlye Chairman and FII Institute Secretary of the Board, David Rubenstein discussed the rising influence of the Global South, technological disruptions, and the need for novel economic systems to support sustainable global progress
- Special Conversation on Energy: H.R.H. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leading role in the energy transition, emphasizing sustainable energy development as critical to achieving net-zero targets worldwide.
- Second Board of Changemakers: Banking & Investment: Industry titans, including H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group; Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group; Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Jane Fraser, CEO, Citi; Jenny Johnson, President & CEO, Franklin Templeton; Ron O’Hanley, Chairman & CEO, State Street Corporation; Ted Pick, CEO, Morgan Stanley; Marc Rowan, Co-Founder & CEO, Apollo Global Management; Harvey M. Schwartz, CEO, Carlyle; Neil Shen, Founding & Managing Partner, HongShan; David Solomon, Chairman & CEO, Goldman Sachs; Makoto Takashima, Chairman of the Board, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; and Bill Winters, Group CEO, Standard Chartered analyzed the changing dynamics in financial management, emphasizing adaptability in the face of evolving economic conditions and geopolitical factors.
- Titan of Industry – TikTok CEO Shou Chew captivated audiences with insights into the impact of social media and digital platforms on global community-building, creativity, and cultural exchange, moderated by Richard Attias. Chew said “TikTok has more than a billion users now. It’s not just an app for young people but caters to everyone. It is not just about entertainment, but community, heritage, culture and arts.”
- Launch of the AI Inclusive Initiative: A global pledge aimed at ensuring inclusive AI deployment in emerging markets. This initiative brings together tech companies, knowledge partners, government policymakers, and the private sector. Funding will be deployed to projects in Emerging Markets. FII Institute 19 Knowledge Partners will be providing expertise and capacity-building support.
- Third Board of Changemakers on AI: Future of AI including CEOs such as Shou Chew, CEO, TikTok; Jack Hidary, CEO, SandboxAQ; Benjamin Horowitz, Co-Founder & General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz; Travis Kalanick, CEO, CloudKitchens; Ruth Porat, President & CIO, Alphabet & Google; Jay Puri, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations, NVIDIA; Dr. Eric Schmidt, Founder & CEO, Schmidt Family Foundation; Co-Founder, Schmidt Sciences; Former CEO & Chairman, Google focused on significant advancements in AI technologies over the past year, including breakthroughs in areas such as generative AI. The session also addressed the dual-edged impact of AI on employment. The conversation turned to the ethical challenges posed by AI, such as algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and the implications of AI in decision-making processes.
- A Special Discussion on The Future of AI with Elon Musk left FII8 guests with key insights on how AI should prioritize the well-being of humanity. He emphasized, “Going Forward, we need AI that loves humanity, which is why xAI was created. It seeks the best interests of humanity” promoting a future where these technologies serve to uplift and enhance the human experience.
- Announcement: Today, 12 financial and non-financial announcements were made all centered around the theme of investing in impactful solutions for humanity. These announcements highlight a commitment to fostering positive change across various sectors, emphasizing sustainable development, and innovation.
Standout moments from Day Two of FII8
- Board of Changemakers on Technology & Innovation: Leaders from industries including Marcelo Claure, Founder & CEO, Claure Group; Group Vice Chairman, SHEIN; Alex Clavel, Co-CEO, SoftBank Vision Funds; Hani Enaya, CIO, Sanabil Investments; Antonio J. Gracias, Founder, CEO & CIO, Valor Equity Partners; Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group; Dan Schulman, Vice Chairman & Managing Partner, Valor Capital Group; Robert Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vista Equity Partners; and Julie Sweet, Chair & CEO, Accenture explored how AI could create up to $10.3 trillion in economic value by 2038. This session urged companies to develop AI responsibly to ensure equitable benefits across society.
- Ocean Central Announcement: Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America, announced the launch of Ocean Central, a digital platform developed by Wave and powered by FII Institute which collates data, and provides a clear and evolving view of ocean health, an urgently needed resource in efforts to regenerate our oceans.
HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud founded Wave as an initiative to champion ocean regeneration within a human generation, an ambitious but achievable aspiration, utilizing science-backed methodologies.
Wave has developed Ocean Central as a collaborative digital platform to unify once-disparate scientific ocean data by fostering collaboration, empowering decision-makers, and tracking collective progress toward ocean regeneration. Ocean Central combines accessibly displayed data with data-driven stories, relevant video content, news, and other ocean regeneration content to broaden users’ perspectives, shine light on the challenges ahead, celebrate successes, and foster a deeper appreciation for our planet’s ocean and our work to save it. To learn more, visit www.oceancentral.org - AI and Geopolitics of Technology with Dr. Eric Schmidt, Former CEO & Chairman, Google, KBE: Dr. Eric Schmidt delivered a discussion on the geopolitical impact of AI, exploring how advancements in cybersecurity and digital infrastructure are reshaping international relations. His address emphasized the importance of cooperation in data governance and digital trade to navigate a world of increasing technological competition.
- The Global Future of Work Compass
The FII Institute unveiled its latest research, the Global Future of Work Compass, based on responses from over 1,300 people and 200 companies in the MENA region. The report indicates that 50% of respondents find advanced technology disruptive, and 46% believe youth tech training is insufficient, underscoring the need for proactive education reform and upskilling. Read the Full Report Here. - Support for the Symphony of Hope Gala
The FII Institute contributed $100,000 to the Symphony of Hope Gala, advocating for individuals affected by celiac disease globally. This support aligns with the FII Institute’s commitment to inclusive health initiatives and creating awareness for pressing health concerns. - ‘Clash of the Titans’ Debates
In a lively debate session titled “Clash of the Titans,” thought leaders exchanged views on three critical issues: the future of currency, the role of AI in truth, and the influence of technology companies in global power. This dynamic format allowed for fresh insights into these epoch-defining challenges. - The Rise of Global Megaregions
Speakers from leading global institutions explored the concept of megaregions—large, interconnected economic zones—as new centers of opportunity. They discussed the role of capital in supporting these economic hubs through innovative solutions and infrastructure investments. - Future of Resources: Achieving Clean Industries
Panellists debated the feasibility of clean industries amid rising demand for critical minerals in renewable technologies. Leaders from SABIC, Sigma Lithium, Vale, Ivanhoe Mines and Ma’aden addressed the challenge of responsibly managing resources to support sustainable growth. - Building A Future-Ready Workforce
The potential for AI to redefine the future of work was a central theme, with discussions on adapting education and training to meet evolving demands. Industry experts highlighted how AI could contribute $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, transforming job roles and creating new growth opportunities.
With a commitment to “Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow,” the FII Conference continues to pave the way for meaningful investments that drive progress, innovation, and sustainability worldwide. With over 45 sessions held on topics such as green technology and digital transformation in emerging markets, FII8 serves as a platform for exploring innovative solutions to global challenges. The insights shared here are critical to shaping future investment landscapes, empowering leaders, and fostering impactful partnerships. - Announcements: Today, FII8 witnessed the announcement of 11 new financial announcements all investing in impactful solutions for humanity. Alongside these announcements, 6 strategic partnerships were established, underscoring a commitment to driving positive change across diverse sectors including technology, quality of life, innovation, and sustainability.
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