Humain and Blackstone Unveil $3B Data Centre Ambition in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing AI scene just got another major boost. Local artificial intelligence firm Humain has joined hands with US investment giant Blackstone to roll out a network of data centres across the Kingdom — an eye-watering project said to be worth around $3 billion in its initial phase.

According to a joint announcement, Blackstone’s data centre arm AirTrunk, along with Canada’s public pension fund, will partner with Humain on developing and running state-of-the-art AI infrastructure throughout Saudi Arabia. The plan, as I reckon, fits neatly into the country’s broader push to position itself as a key technology hub for the region.

The deal was revealed during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh — a gathering that’s becoming something of a must‑attend for global tech and finance leaders. And, honestly, it’s spot on timing: with the world scrambling for computing power, Saudi Arabia clearly doesn’t want to be left twiddling its thumbs.

Now, Humain isn’t starting from scratch. The company was set up only a few months back by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to spearhead the Kingdom’s AI ambitions and build its advanced data infrastructure. Word has it that Humain’s first centre is already rising from the sand, with operations expected to kick off early next year. The goal? To hit 1.9 gigawatts in capacity by 2030 — no small feat.

On the flip side, building such enormous digital engines means sourcing endless hardware. Humain is apparently talking to chipmakers like NVIDIA and AMD to secure much-needed AI processors. It’s also forging alliances with Qualcomm and Cisco Systems, and there’ve even been early chats with xAI about a potential joint facility in the Kingdom.

For those of us at Arageek who follow the pulse of MENA startups, this feels more than just another corporate handshake. It’s a glimpse of how Saudi Arabia is transforming from oil barrels to data racks — and, believe it or not, doing it rather swiftly. Sure, three billion dollars isn’t pocket change, and managing such projects can be a bit of a faff, but if pulled off, it could redefine the region’s digital backbone.

Well… let’s just say it’ll be interesting to see whether this bold venture delivers on its promise. I’m definately keeping an eye on it.

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