Saudi Arabia Unveils 'Humain' AI Initiative to Drive Vision 2030 and Global Tech Leadership
Image Credit: Damir Babacic | Splash
Saudi Arabia has introduced "Humain", a state-backed artificial intelligence company aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s technological infrastructure and establishing it as a global AI leader. Chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Humain aligns with Vision 2030, the nation’s plan to diversify its economy beyond oil and foster innovation in technology and other sectors.
Establishment and Leadership
Humain was launched on May 12, 2025, under the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund with assets of approximately US$940 billion. The company is led by CEO Tareq Amin, previously head of Aramco Digital, who is tasked with shaping the kingdom’s national AI strategy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also Prime Minister and PIF Chairman, chairs Humain, highlighting its strategic importance. The announcement was made ahead of a U.S.-Saudi investment forum on May 13, 2025, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and executives from major technology firms, emphasizing the initiative’s global significance.
Humain consolidates Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions, potentially building on earlier efforts like the 2024 AI initiative referred to as "Project Transcendence", which aimed to compete with regional rivals such as the United Arab Emirates. While not explicitly linked, Humain represents a unified push to advance the kingdom’s AI capabilities.
[Read More: 6 Israeli Drone Companies Revolutionizing Civilian Life with Cutting-Edge Innovations]
Objectives and Scope
Humain operates across the AI value chain, encompassing infrastructure, cloud computing, data processing, and the development of advanced AI models. A core focus is creating multimodal Arabic large language models (LLMs), which process and generate text, images, and other data tailored for Arabic-speaking populations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. These models aim to enhance AI accessibility and cultural relevance in the region.
The company will establish next-generation data centers with a planned capacity of 500 megawatts, utilizing advanced hardware such as Nvidia’s Blackwell chips to support AI computations. Leveraging Saudi Arabia’s energy resources and strategic location, these data centers aim to position the kingdom as a leader in data processing, building on its existing 47% share of the Middle East and North Africa’s data center capacity.
Humain’s services will target key sectors, including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services, to drive AI adoption regionally and globally. The initiative also seeks to nurture local innovation by supporting Saudi startups and attracting international talent, contributing to a knowledge-based economy.
[Read More: AI-Driven Hydrogen Catalyst Boosts Efficiency, Cutting Costs for Clean Energy Future]
Strategic Partnerships
Humain has secured partnerships with leading global technology firms to bolster its capabilities. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has committed over US$5 billion to establish an "AI Zone" in Saudi Arabia, providing dedicated AI infrastructure, servers, networks, and training programs for 100,000 Saudis, including 10,000 women. Nvidia will supply 18,000 Blackwell chips initially, while AMD has pledged US$10 billion for additional AI hardware.
The Public Investment Fund’s broader AI strategy includes collaborations with companies like Google Cloud and Salesforce, though their specific involvement with Humain is less detailed. Google Cloud has partnered with PIF on AI initiatives, potentially supporting Humain’s cloud computing needs, while Salesforce has committed US$500 million to AI development in the kingdom. These partnerships enhance Saudi Arabia’s access to global expertise and technology.
U.S. export controls on advanced AI hardware have historically posed challenges, but recent policy relaxations have enabled Nvidia and AMD to supply chips, facilitating Humain’s infrastructure goals.
[Read More: Trump Tariffs Shake AI Industry: Nvidia Hit, Markets React, Supply Chains Shift]
Alignment with Vision 2030
Humain is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, launched in 2016 to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil-dependent economy. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) coordinates national AI efforts, contributing to the kingdom’s top ranking in the 2024 Global AI Index for government AI strategy. The PIF is investing heavily in AI, with related ventures like Alat, a US$100 billion fund focused on sustainable manufacturing and technology, complementing Humain’s objectives.
[Read More: AI Funding Hits US$340B in 2025: Boom or Bust Ahead?]
Regional and Global Implications
Humain positions Saudi Arabia as a strong contender in the global AI landscape, rivaling regional players like the UAE, which has invested heavily in AI models such as Falcon and Jais. By prioritizing Arabic LLMs, Humain addresses the linguistic and cultural needs of the Middle East, potentially setting a model for sovereign AI initiatives worldwide.
The initiative’s announcement, timed just before President Trump’s visit to Riyadh, underscores strategic alignment with U.S. interests. Saudi Arabia’s pledge of US$600 billion in U.S. investments over four years could further AI collaborations, particularly as U.S. export policies evolve.
[Read More: U.S. Probes Singapore's Role in Nvidia Chip Sales to China Amid Export Control Concerns]
Challenges and Considerations
Humain faces significant challenges, including the high costs of AI development, with expenses for chips, energy, and infrastructure running into hundreds of millions of dollars. While recent U.S. policy changes mitigate hardware access issues, ongoing geopolitical dynamics could affect partnerships. Saudi Arabia’s human rights record may also complicate relations with some international firms, though its financial resources continue to attract global investment.
[Read More: Rule of AI vs. Rule by AI: Will AI Serve Humanity or Enable State Control?]
Source: Reuters, PIF, Financial Times, About Amazon, TechCrunch
