Nvidia, the leading U.S. chip manufacturer, has announced its plans to supply 18,000 of its cutting-edge Blackwell AI chips to Saudi Arabia. The chips will be used in a new 500-megawatt data center project, marking a significant step in the nation’s efforts to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing capabilities.
The partnership, revealed during a high-profile trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE as part of a White House visit, pairs Nvidia with Humain, an AI startup backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This collaboration is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and establish itself as a key player in the global AI race.
Saudi Arabia has been actively working to enhance its technological infrastructure and develop AI technologies, viewing them as crucial for the future. The data center project, which will be one of the largest of its kind, is expected to provide the foundation for advanced AI capabilities that will benefit both public and private sectors across the Kingdom. The center will house an array of AI-driven solutions, including machine learning, data processing, and computational power, all vital for the growing tech landscape.
Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s founder, emphasized the importance of AI in modern infrastructure, comparing its significance to that of electricity and the internet. He remarked, “AI, like electricity and internet, is essential infrastructure for every nation.” The partnership with Humain is seen as a major step toward realizing Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a tech-driven powerhouse.
The project also signifies the growing collaboration between Saudi Arabia and global tech firms, with the Kingdom actively seeking foreign investment to enhance its digital and technological ecosystem. By securing Nvidia’s state-of-the-art AI chips, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of cloud computing and AI innovation, which is expected to have far-reaching implications for industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
As part of the global push for AI supremacy, the new data center will contribute to the development of the Kingdom’s broader digital infrastructure, fostering local talent and innovation while attracting further international partnerships. With the backing of Nvidia and Humain, Saudi Arabia is laying the groundwork for a future where AI plays a central role in economic and technological advancement.
