Can we say with certainty that HUMAIN represents one of the key pathways to Saudi Arabia’s resilient future?

 

Without exaggeration or understatement, this new project is undoubtedly a pivotal addition to the Kingdom’s journey toward a future deeply rooted in the rising tide of AI. HUMAIN marks a significant leap forward in building Vision 2030, which seeks to elevate Saudi Arabia to its deserved global status - intellectually and practically - serving humanity, driving development, and investing in infrastructure to boost the national economy.

 

It is no longer a secret that the future of global progress depends on nations’ ability to keep up with this unprecedented revolution, one that has sparked worldwide competition. The race from Washington to Beijing, particularly in the area of semiconductor technology, the “magic genie” of the 21st century, is a clear indicator of the sector’s strategic importance.

 

The new company, chaired by the Crown Prince himself, is not just an ordinary firm. It will undoubtedly act as a driving force for economic growth within the Kingdom. This means the era of relying solely on traditional income sources, especially oil revenues, despite their importance and future prospects, is no longer the only safe path to ensure Saudi Arabia’s renaissance.

 

One of HUMAIN’s primary goals is to present cutting-edge AI models and applications, including the development of top-tier large language models (LLMs) in Arabic. It also aims to build the next generation of data centers and cloud computing infrastructure, providing online services such as computing, networking, software, analytics, and AI.

 

The launch of HUMAIN is a testament to the credibility and determination of the youthful Saudi leadership, firmly holding onto the torch of the future. In 2024, it pledged to invest in building an AI-driven economy, a major step toward realizing the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global AI leader.

 

HUMAIN opens broad horizons for high-level partnerships with leading international firms looking to invest in the Kingdom, chief among them Amazon Web Services (AWS). The US-based giant plans to invest over $5 billion in a strategic partnership to build a one-of-a-kind AI zone in the Kingdom, aligning with Riyadh’s visionary local, regional, and global aspirations.

 

Is Saudi Arabia on the path to what might be called technological acculturation?

 

Absolutely. Joint investments in AI infrastructure, AWS services, and training programs in advanced technologies, coupled with talent development, will all serve to boost both domestic and global demand for advanced AI services in the Kingdom.

 

One might ask: What can such a project contribute to the Saudi economy?

 

To begin with, it will support the startup sector, which is a vibrant and growing space across the Kingdom. Through AI-driven innovation and access to a broad and deep array of tools and technologies, HUMAIN will help the Kingdom’s most ambitious founders and entrepreneurs scale their businesses.

 

Last year alone, Saudi startups attracted around $750 million in domestic and foreign investment, the highest share of venture capital in the region.

 

The creation of HUMAIN and its partnerships with the world’s top tech companies signal the beginning of a technological golden age in Saudi Arabia. They will accelerate creativity and innovation among the youth and elevate the Kingdom’s status as a global partner in an era that rejects dominance and exclusionary ideologies, and instead embraces building bridges over walls.

 

A resilient future is not a matter of speculation or fantasy. It is a reality grounded in facts: Saudi Arabia is set to claim the largest share of the expected positive economic impact of AI in the Middle East in the coming years.

 

According to PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), AI will contribute $130 billion to the Saudi economy by 2030, representing over 40% of the estimated $320 billion total AI impact across the Middle East.

 

The future belongs to those who hold firmly to hope in tomorrow.