AMD and Cisco Partner with Humain to Establish Massive AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Saudi Arabia is poised to emerge as a leading center for advanced AI computing technologies, as industry leaders AMD, Cisco, and the domestic company Humain unveil their plans for a substantial collaboration to construct high-capacity data centers. This first initiative will involve a robust 100 megawatts, specifically tailored for the generative AI video platform, Luma AI, which has secured the entire inaugural capacity.

Under this collaboration, Cisco will deliver essential networking and infrastructure solutions, while AMD is set to supply its cutting-edge MI450 AI chips. Humain, supported by the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, will spearhead the endeavor, overseeing the project’s comprehensive management. Construction is anticipated to kick off in 2026, with the entire operation relying on renewable energy sources.

The alliance is a result of a series of tech agreements forged during former US President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May, with further cooperative efforts anticipated as leaders from Saudi Arabia and the US convene again this week. AMD and Cisco will maintain minority stakes in the project, sharing both profits and losses while providing crucial technological and sales assistance.

Humain aims to broaden this initiative to effectively serve diverse markets spanning Asia, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa, which collectively represent a population of nearly 4.5 billion. There are already strategies in place to enhance data center capacity to an impressive 1 gigawatt by 2030, with numerous purchase orders expected for subsequent expansions.

This initiative crucially positions Saudi Arabia in the global AI infrastructure landscape, capitalizing on its vast land, economical energy, and strategic international collaborations to develop a sophisticated data ecosystem.