Saudi Arabia has taken a bold step into the global artificial intelligence arena with the launch of HUMAIN, a new AI powerhouse chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and fully owned by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.
Announced on May 12, 2025, HUMAIN will operate as a unified entity investing across the entire AI value chain. The company will provide a comprehensive suite of AI services and products, including next-generation data centers, cloud capabilities, and advanced AI models. A standout offering will be one of the world's most powerful multimodal Arabic large language models (LLMs), addressing a significant gap in the global AI landscape.
The establishment of HUMAIN represents a critical component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil dependency. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), which currently manages approximately $940 billion in assets, has positioned HUMAIN as the main vehicle to drive the kingdom's AI strategy and investments.
"HUMAIN will enable capabilities to develop and deliver AI solutions locally, regionally and globally," according to the official announcement. The company will focus on fostering local innovation and intellectual property development while streamlining various data center initiatives and accelerating AI adoption across strategic sectors including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services.
The timing of HUMAIN's launch is particularly significant, coinciding with US President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia and an expected US-Saudi investment forum where multibillion-dollar deals in AI and other sectors are anticipated. Tech leaders including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Mark Zuckerberg are reportedly attending the forum, highlighting the growing importance of Saudi Arabia in the global technology landscape.
Saudi Arabia's government AI strategy has already earned global recognition, with the Global AI Index in 2024 ranking the kingdom as the world leader in this field. With HUMAIN, Saudi Arabia is leveraging its strategic location, young tech-savvy population, and economic momentum to position itself as a prospective hub for AI activity outside the United States.