Saudi Arabia is making a significant play to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) through substantial investments spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The centerpiece of this ambition is HUMAIN, a newly launched AI company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This multi-billion dollar venture aims to position the Kingdom as a central hub for AI innovation, development, and deployment, with potentially far-reaching global implications.
HUMAIN's mandate is expansive, encompassing the entire AI value chain. The company plans to invest in and operate next-generation data centers, develop AI infrastructure and cloud capabilities, and create advanced AI models and solutions. A key focus is the development of a powerful multimodal Arabic large language model (LLM) to cater to the specific needs of the region. This move underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to not only adopting AI but also shaping its development to reflect local linguistic and cultural nuances.
The launch of HUMAIN is strategically aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the national economy away from its reliance on oil. AI has been identified as a critical sector for economic transformation, with significant investments directed toward technology development, essential infrastructure, and specialized talent acquisition. PwC estimates that AI could contribute $135 billion to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030, representing a substantial portion of the nation's economic growth.
To realize its AI ambitions, Saudi Arabia is actively fostering international partnerships. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and HUMAIN have announced a $5 billion-plus investment to build an "AI Zone" in the Kingdom, bringing together innovative capabilities like dedicated AWS AI infrastructure, servers with world-class semiconductors, and UltraCluster networks. Additionally, AMD and HUMAIN have revealed a $10 billion joint venture to construct an advanced and open AI infrastructure platform, with data centers planned initially in Saudi Arabia and later expanding to the United States and other regions. NVIDIA is also partnering with HUMAIN to build AI factories in Saudi Arabia, powered by hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA's advanced GPUs. These collaborations aim to accelerate AI adoption across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services.
Saudi Arabia's AI strategy also includes a strong emphasis on talent development. The Kingdom aims to cultivate a pool of 20,000 AI and data professionals by 2030. This includes initiatives to raise awareness, provide specialized education, and build a skilled AI workforce. Google estimates that its AI hub in Dammam, in partnership with HUMAIN, will generate $35 billion for the U.S. economy and create 11,000 jobs by 2040, in addition to developing highly-skilled jobs and AI training programs for Saudis.
The global impact of Saudi Arabia's AI venture is potentially significant. Its strategic location at the nexus of three continents, combined with its economic growth prospects and tech-savvy population, positions the Kingdom as a competitive global AI hub. The development of Arabic LLMs and AI solutions tailored to the region could drive innovation and create new opportunities in the Middle East and beyond. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's investments in AI infrastructure and partnerships with leading technology companies could accelerate the development and deployment of AI technologies worldwide.
However, the rapid development of AI capabilities in Saudi Arabia also raises important questions about digital rights and surveillance. As the Kingdom becomes a central hub for AI investment, it will be crucial to address ethical concerns and ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and in accordance with human rights principles. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has issued Generative AI Guidelines for government entities and the public, signaling a commitment to building a robust and well-regulated AI ecosystem.
Overall, Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar AI venture, HUMAIN, represents a bold and ambitious step towards becoming a global AI leader. By combining strategic investments, international partnerships, and a focus on talent development, the Kingdom aims to drive economic diversification, foster innovation, and shape the future of AI both regionally and globally.
