Nvidia Partners with Humain to Build 500MW AI Data Centers in Saudi Arabia

Nvidia, a prominent chip manufacturer, has entered into a significant partnership with Humain, an AI startup based in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration involves Nvidia supplying 18,000 of its most advanced semiconductors to Humain, which is a major step in strengthening U.S. tech ties with the Middle East. The primary goal of this partnership is to construct AI data centers with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts, powered by hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GPUs. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program, which aims to diversify the country's economy beyond petroleum through various technology initiatives.

The collaboration between Nvidia and Humain is a strategic move to establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI development. The partnership encompasses investments in hardware, software platforms, and workforce development programs. The first phase of this project will involve the deployment of an 18,000-unit Nvidia GB300 Grace Blackwell AI supercomputer, utilizing Nvidia InfiniBand networking technology. This technology is crucial for providing high throughput and low latency connections, which are essential for high-performance computing.

The AI computing facilities planned by Humain will serve as the infrastructure for training and deploying sovereign AI models. These are AI systems developed and controlled within national boundaries, reflecting a global trend where nations are competing to secure computing resources for economic development and technological sovereignty. Saudi Arabia's investment in this area follows similar initiatives by the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, but on a scale that indicates the Kingdom's ambition to become the region's leading AI hub.

Additionally, the partnership includes the deployment of the Nvidia Omniverse platform as a multi-tenant system. Omniverse allows different 3D design tools to work together through a shared virtual space, supporting what the companies refer to as ‘physical AI’ applications. These applications combine AI with robotics and simulation capabilities to create digital twins of physical environments, enhancing operations in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and energy through simulation and optimization.

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, underscored the importance of AI infrastructure, stating that AI is as essential as electricity and the internet for every nation. He emphasized that the collaboration with Humain aims to build AI infrastructure for the people and companies of Saudi Arabia to realize the Kingdom's bold vision. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, described the collaboration as a turning point, building the AI factories of the future and unlocking compute power for the next era of physical AI. Tareq Amin, CEO of Humain, highlighted the partnership's role in achieving the Kingdom's ambitions to lead in AI and advanced digital infrastructure, building capacity, capability, and a globally enabled community to shape a future powered by intelligent technology and empowered people.