Digital Technology Forum 2022

The Digital Technology Forum 2022 is the second edition of the Digital Technology Forum, an annual event held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is organized by the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST), the entity responsible for developing the information technology and emerging technologies sector. The forum aims to focus on and discuss key aspects of the sector by hosting experts and investors from both local and international markets and addressing topics related to emerging digital technologies, innovation, and creativity. The first edition of the forum was held in August 2021.

The second edition of the forum was held under the theme 'Empowering Local Tech Products,' organized by CST in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, and the Saudi Export Development Authority. The forum focused on enabling local tech products and showcasing developments in blockchain technology through visual presentations and panel discussions featuring twenty-five speakers. It was held at the CST headquarters in Riyadh from October 23 to 24, 2022.

The Digital Technology Forum 2022 included several key objectives, including highlighting the role of the CST in adopting and localizing emerging technologies, reinforcing its role as a digital regulator in organizing and enabling modern technologies in collaboration with relevant authorities, and emphasizing the sector’s importance in shaping the future of the national digital economy.

The second edition of the Digital Technology Forum featured several panel discussions focusing on five main themes, in addition to visual presentations. The first day began with an opening presentation, followed by a video showcasing success stories of local tech products. The first panel discussion was then held under the theme 'The Government’s Role in Developing and Supporting Local Tech Products,' where the strategy of the MCIT and its role in supporting local tech products were discussed. This was followed by the opening of the local tech products exhibition, after which presentations were delivered under the theme 'Local Tech Products: A Promising Future.' The final session of the first day focused on 'Programs for Enabling Local Tech Products,' followed by a presentation introducing the third theme, 'Future Trends in Emerging Technologies: Entrepreneurial Opportunities.'

On the second day, the forum opened with a keynote presentation titled 'Blockchain: Between Promises and Reality,' followed by a panel discussion on 'Harnessing the Power of Blockchain for Digital Government.' Subsequent presentations explored 'How Investments Contribute to the Blockchain Ecosystem?' The second panel discussion covered the fourth theme, 'Opportunities for Blockchain Adoption in the Private Sector,' followed by a presentation titled 'The Age of Machines: Enabling Innovation Through Emerging Technologies.' The forum then moved to the fifth and final theme, 'Developments in Blockchain Technology,' which included a closing panel discussion on 'Unleashing the Potential of Web 3.0' and a presentation titled 'Welcome to the metaverse,' introducing the metaverse concept.

The Digital Technology Forum 2022 featured several activities and events launched by the CST, including an accompanying exhibition for local tech products with the participation of thirty-five local tech companies showcasing their technological innovations and blockchain products, aiming to highlight local tech products and their successes while encouraging local tech production by showcasing participating products. Additionally, the commission presented the Collaborative Innovation Award to the top four participating tech companies to enable and support local tech products and encourage innovative collaboration between service providers and end users. Furthermore, the commission launched the first directory for local tech products in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.