Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s national artificial intelligence company, Humain, has unveiled an ambitious plan to build data centers with a combined capacity of 6 gigawatts, marking one of the largest AI infrastructure projects ever announced in the Middle East. Alongside the infrastructure plan, the company also introduced its new AI operating system, “Humain 1,” aimed at powering the next generation of intelligent technologies and services.
Humain’s chief executive officer, Tareq Amin, announced the project during a technology conference in Riyadh. He described it as a major step toward establishing Saudi Arabia as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation, data storage, and cloud computing. The initiative is part of the kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy and strengthen technological leadership beyond the oil sector.
The company’s data center network will be developed across multiple regions in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh and Dammam, with the first facilities expected to become operational by mid-2026. Initial construction has already begun on two 100-megawatt sites, and Humain plans to scale up over the next decade to reach the 6-gigawatt goal. The project is supported by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, which holds a major stake in the company.
Humain has also formed strategic partnerships with leading global technology firms. These include collaborations with NVIDIA and Qualcomm to provide cutting-edge AI chips and hardware components. Earlier this year, reports indicated that Humain secured shipments of NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell processors, which will power the company’s upcoming AI data centers.
The company’s vision extends beyond data infrastructure. Humain is working to develop large-scale AI models, including Arabic-language platforms and consumer applications designed to compete with leading systems from global players. One of its recent products, an AI assistant powered by the “Allam” model, was introduced to rival the UAE’s Falcon AI system.
While Humain’s expansion reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in advanced technology, experts caution that building and maintaining such large-scale infrastructure will be a significant challenge. Massive energy consumption, cooling requirements, and the need for a skilled workforce remain key considerations as the project advances.
Despite these hurdles, Humain’s leadership believes the initiative will place Saudi Arabia among the top nations in global AI infrastructure capacity within the next decade. The move positions the kingdom not just as a technology investor, but as a producer and operator of high-end AI systems serving regional and international markets.
As global competition for artificial intelligence resources intensifies, Humain’s bold vision could redefine the Middle East’s role in the digital economy turning Saudi Arabia into a cornerstone for AI innovation, research, and data-driven industries.