Saudi Arabia launches Humain to spearhead AI strategy

On May 12, 2025, Saudi Arabia took a significant step in advancing its technological landscape by launching Humain, a state-supported artificial intelligence company. The establishment of Humain precedes an important state visit by President Donald Trump to the kingdom, focusing on bolstering Saudi Arabia’s AI initiatives. This project, overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and backed by the Public Investment Fund, is set to operate across the entire AI value chain, signaling a strategic move to enhance the country's tech infrastructure and investments. Humain is to be led by Tareq Amin, a former executive at Aramco Digital, who expressed his excitement about steering the development of a national AI strategy. The company is expected to facilitate the use of AI tools in the Saudi economy, aiming to streamline the kingdom's data centre projects while building its own AI technology. This initiative is a part of Saudi Arabia's broader ambition to reshape its economy away from an over-reliance on fossil fuels, identifying technology as a key element of its diversification efforts. As part of its investment project, Humain pulls talent from various state-backed initiatives, including Aramco Digital and the Saudi Data & AI Authority. The budget for this ambitious venture has yet to be disclosed, but the sourcings indicate that the kingdom is poised to make substantial investments in emerging technologies and infrastructures, following a trend of over $15 billion in recent agreements with technology and data centre companies. This AI strategy is also seen as a response to regional competitors such as the United Arab Emirates, which has been rapidly advancing its own AI investments. Notably, during Trump's state visit, discussions are anticipated to revolve around access to cutting-edge AI chips necessary for such technological advances, highlighting the geopolitical dimensions of AI in the Middle East. The launch of Humain seems to integrate previous efforts, particularly Project Transcendence, focusing on enhancing Saudi Arabia's standing in the global tech arena. As discussions progress on emerging AI technologies and partnerships, Humain will serve as a unified front for the nation’s tech aspirations and a pivotal player in establishing the kingdom as a tech leader in the region.