The recent announcement regarding Saudi Arabia's foray into artificial intelligence (AI) comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump's Gulf tour. During this visit, President Trump signed a significant strategic economic agreement with Saudi Arabia, highlighting the nation's commitment to attracting trillions of dollars in investments. As the oil powerhouse rolled out the red carpet for the U.S. leader, it also marked the beginning of a transformative journey toward economic diversification.
In a bid to reduce its reliance on oil revenue, Saudi Arabia is actively seeking to position itself as a global hub for AI. The Kingdom's leadership recognizes that AI is becoming as essential as electricity and the internet for modern economies. Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of Nvidia, emphasized this point, stating that AI infrastructure is crucial for every nation’s development.
On Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially launched Humain, a new company dedicated to developing and managing AI technologies within Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to leverage Nvidia's advanced platforms to propel the Kingdom into a leadership position in the global AI landscape, particularly in areas such as GPU cloud computing and digital transformation.
In a joint statement, Humain and Nvidia announced plans to establish AI factories boasting a capacity of up to 500 megawatts. These facilities will incorporate several hundred thousand of Nvidia's cutting-edge GPUs over the next five years, solidifying Saudi Arabia's status as a leader in AI technology. This ambitious project is set to transform the region's technological capabilities and contribute to its economic goals.
Humain, which will operate under the auspices of the Public Investment Fund, is set to offer a wide range of AI services and products. These include the development of data centers, AI infrastructure, cloud capabilities, and advanced AI models. CEO Tareq Amin expressed the significance of building a robust AI company, stating, "You need the foundation and the infrastructure. It's a really, really big initiative for the kingdom." This statement underscores the Kingdom's commitment to creating a sustainable and innovative AI ecosystem.
Saudi Arabia's strategic move towards AI through the launch of Humain and its partnership with Nvidia marks a significant step in its vision for a diversified economy. As the Kingdom aims to become a leading center for AI activity outside the United States, the implications for both its economy and technological landscape are profound. The world will be watching closely as Saudi Arabia embarks on this transformative journey.
