Latest news with #Humain
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Tech company Humain to launch Allam, first Saudi-developed Arabic AI model
LONDON: A new Arabic-language artificial intelligence model called Allam, created and trained in Saudi Arabia, is set for launch this month, according to Tareq Amin, the CEO of the developer, tech company Humain. He said it was built by a team of 40 Ph.D.-level researchers in the Kingdom, and described it as the best Arabic-language model yet developed for the 350 million people worldwide who speak the language, the majority of whom live in Arab countries. 'This is not just another large language model, it's proof that the Arab world can innovate, train and deploy AI at a world-class level, according to our own standards,' Amin told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. Allam was designed to understand classical forms of Arabic and regional dialects, he added. It can converse in the Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese dialects, and understands cultural and political nuances. The AI model will initially be available through Humain Chat, a free Arabic-language app similar to ChatGPT. Humain, which is part of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, said it has been tested for use in sensitive applications. 'ChatGPT will never have the datasets we do (to develop an Arabic AI),' Amin said. 'I want the Arab world to start asking: Why don't we build a coalition to create AI models that reflect our culture and values?' The PIF established Humain to lead the Kingdom's AI strategy, harnessing expertise from Aramco Digital and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority's National Center for AI. Amin said he views the launch of Allam as a starting point for ongoing improvement, fueled by user feedback from the Arab world. The company plans to create a marketplace through which developers and businesses can access the AI linguistic model, with a particular focus on government bodies and private-sector organizations in industries such as tourism and healthcare that rely heavily on Arabic for the provision of services. '(Allam) is the spark that can shift the Middle East's position in the global digital economy from consumer to creator of original platforms and products,' Amin said. 'We don't yet have a complete AI ecosystem of developers and companies. We need to believe in our abilities, and the time is now.' Amin considers AI as 'the foundation upon which the entire' Saudi Vision 2023 plan for national development and diversification is being built across various sectors including tourism, healthcare and industry. He praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's approach to AI as 'both visionary and pragmatic,' treating the technology 'not as an optional tool but as a necessity for economic growth, citizen empowerment and sector-wide adoption.' Amin added that Allam is Humain's flagship model and ultimately the success of the tech company will primarily stem from the people who are part of it, in particular the rich pool of Saudi AI talent. 'Some doubted whether we had the capabilities,' he said. 'I told them: come and see for yourself.'
Leaders
6 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi AI Firm Humain to Roll out Arabic ChatGPT by Late August
Saudi Arabia's artificial intelligence company Humain will release an Arabic-language version of ChatGPT by the end of August, CEO Tareq Amin announced. Amin noted that the model was developed entirely by a Saudi team, according to Gulf News. The CEO also stated that the Public Investment Fund–backed company seeks to reach a valuation comparable to the world's top AI firms, during a TV interview. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030, Humain aims also to leave a global mark on the AI sector, contribute significantly to the diversification of the Kingdom's economy, as well as build advanced digital infrastructure. 'Humain was created to lead this transformation by building a modern technological foundation that boosts GDP, localizes technology, and empowers Saudi talent,' Amin said. Humain's Ambitious Agenda Through an ambitious agenda, the company pursues to cut the Kingdom's oil dependency, create knowledge-based economy and build AI infrastructure from scratch. 'Humain reflects Saudi Arabia's ambition to be, in AI, what it is in oil and energy, a global leader,' he added. In this regard, the CEO stressed the strategic significance of data localization, underscoring that recent investments by AWS and Microsoft have paved the way for large-scale data centers to be built inside the Kingdom. Interestingly, the company's models are designed to cater not only to domestic demand but also to attract a global user base. Overall, Humain's ultimate goal is to become one of the world's top five data center operators and market its AI models worldwide. 'We have the talent, the resources, and the drive to get there,' Amin said. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia's Location & Energy Advance Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence to create 69 Mln Jobs Aramco Leads Globally in Artificial Intelligence Short link : Post Views: 35
Arab News
07-08-2025
- Business
- Arab News
The critical groundwork needed to win the AI race
Artificial intelligence has become a high-stakes global race that everyone is watching closely. But far from merely leading the race, Saudi Arabia has set out to help design the racetrack. While most countries are debating regulations and scrambling for compute, the Kingdom is building a vertically integrated AI engine at an unprecedented scale, from sovereign data centers and large chips procurement deals to venture capital and large language models. Saudi Arabia is executing a top down play to become a global force in AI. And it is moving fast. AI is more than algorithms. The critical groundwork lies in digital infrastructure, reliable data, regulatory alignment, and talent. Saudi Arabia understands this better than most, and is moving with intent to shape the global AI landscape. At the center of this strategy is Humain, the newly launched state-owned infrastructure titan, with multi-gigawatt ambitions, hundreds of thousands of chip orders, and partnerships spanning NVDIA, AMD, and Qualcomm. Complemented by an additional $10 billion in venture capital, the Kingdom is committed to scalability. It offers abundant and low-cost energy for AI compute, making the entire AI system not only viable but globally competitive. In addition to projects with Google Cloud and Groq's new Riyadh region, Humain aims to become one of the world's largest AI infrastructure providers. Its first phase includes scaling capacity to support 6.6GW by 2034, including 18,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips. Humain represents more than its tens of billions of dollars of investments; it signals to the AI world what few countries can claim: intent backed by execution at scale. AI is nothing without digital infrastructure. High-performance computing centers, specialized data hubs, fiber deployments, and energy-efficient hardware are the foundation on which this technology thrives. Saudi Arabia recognizes this and is backing ambitions with one of the most aggressive infrastructure buildouts globally. If AI infrastructure is the engine, data is the fuel. Indeed, the quality of it determines how far you can go. The more relevant and robust the datasets, the sharper and more contextually aware the AI. Unlike countries that use foreign cloud providers for data storage and processing outside their borders, Saudi Arabia is treating data as a sovereign asset, where it should remain under national domains. Owning specialized and well-structured data means owning your future in AI. It is a simple, yet powerful, formula: Proprietary data equals competitive advantage. AI is more than algorithms. The critical groundwork lies in digital infrastructure, reliable data, regulatory alignment, and talent. Saudi Arabia understands this better than most. Javier Alvarez A bank that uses its own transactional data to train an AI fraud detection tool will always outperform one using general, third-party datasets. This is the kind of edge the Kingdom is building into its national and business-level frameworks. Through upcoming legislation, AI companies will be regulated under the laws of their country of origin — an ambitious attempt to balance openness with compliance and trust. This data strategy is not isolated from the infrastructure, which in Saudi Arabia will give clients full visibility on how their data is used and processed in real time. Transparency by design is Saudi Arabia's approach through a globalized world of data scrutiny and regulation. Saudi Arabia's AI efforts are not solely focused on servers, chips, and top-notch infrastructure, but are also about shaping the future workforce and their skills. Initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and major partnerships with global tech leaders are helping to build talent pipelines that match the scale of infrastructure investments. One of the key challenges remains the global shortage of skilled AI professionals. Education initiatives in Saudi universities are a long-term fix, but for now, the Kingdom will have to continue attracting world-class tech talent. The UAE ranks higher in AI talent attraction globally, but Saudi Arabia is rapidly narrowing the gap. Saudi Arabia's focus on creating locally trained models in Arabic like ALLaM is a strategic move to avoid reliance on AI systems that do not represent regional cultures or languages accurately. By owning the regulation process and embedding an AI framework that prioritizes transparency and ethical considerations, the Kingdom ensures that AI adoption comes with accountability and responsibility for all its stakeholders. The global AI race is heating up, yes, and the path to leadership is paved by smart, steady, and strategic decisions. Saudi Arabia's investments in infrastructure, data sovereignty, clear regulation, and education initiatives are the foundation stones for what could become one of the most advanced AI ecosystems in the world. • Javier Alvarez is senior managing director & technology head for the Middle East at FTI Delta
Forbes
07-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
U.S. Investors Rush Into Middle East: $50+ Billion In Recent Mega-Deals
U.S. investors are making massive bets on Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Recent months have seen a flurry of billion-dollar commitments that signal a fundamental shift in how American capital views the Gulf region. "When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills." That ancient proverb captures the mindset of a new wave of American investors eyeing the Middle East not as a geopolitical question mark, but as a global growth engine. The Mega-Deal Wave Here are three recent, high-profile examples of U.S. investors or firms making major deals or launching investments in Saudi Arabia: 1. Salesforce – $500 Million AI Investment At LEAP 2025 held in Riyadh, Salesforce announced plans to invest $500 million in artificial intelligence operations in Saudi Arabia. Their investment includes launching the Hyperforce platform in partnership with AWS, deploying Agentforce via local service providers, providing Arabic-language AI support, and establishing a regional HQ in Riyadh. Part of the program also aims to train 30,000 Saudi citizens by 2030. 2. Public Investment Fund (PIF) Partnerships with U.S. Asset Managers During President Trump's May 2025 Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund (PIF) signed MOUs worth up to $12 billion total with top U.S. asset managers. Among them: 3. American Tech Firms Working with Humain Saudi Arabia's newly launched AI platform Humain secured partnerships with several U.S. tech companies in May 2025: These agreements anchor U.S. semiconductor and cloud providers in the Kingdom's AI build-out. These agreements anchor U.S. semiconductor and cloud providers in the Kingdom's AI build-out and represent over $40 billion in combined commitments. The Transformation Behind the Money These investments aren't happening in a vacuum. They're responding to one of the most ambitious economic transformation programs in modern history. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to pivot the Kingdom from oil dependence to a diversified economy powered by tourism, technology, and private enterprise. Flagship projects like NEOM—a $500 billion smart city stretching across the Red Sea coast—are emblematic of the scale and ambition. Behind this push is the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's $900 billion sovereign wealth fund. Once a passive domestic investor, PIF has become one of the most influential capital allocators in the world, making bold bets in sports, tech, gaming, infrastructure, and clean energy. Meanwhile, the UAE, anchored by Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has taken a different but equally effective approach: positioning itself as the Middle East's financial, logistics, and innovation hub. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Mubadala Investment Company, with combined assets over $1.5 trillion, have not only expanded their global footprints but are actively co-investing with and backing foreign companies entering the region. Why Now? Three Converging Forces Three factors are drawing unprecedented U.S. capital toward the Gulf: Capital-Rich, Partner-Hungry Ecosystems: Saudi and Emirati leaders are eager to bring in global expertise. Whether through joint ventures, incentive-laden investment zones, or direct stakes in strategic sectors, American investors who bring operating know-how, brand value, or intellectual property are welcome guests. It's not uncommon for sovereign funds to co-invest or provide capital to accelerate these ventures. Demographics Driving Demand: The Middle East has one of the youngest populations on Earth, nearly two-thirds under the age of 35. That's translating into surging demand across education, housing, healthcare, tech, and consumer services. Investors who understand the aspirations of this next generation digitally fluent, globally ambitious, and culturally rooted can build enduring franchises. Stability and Sovereign Ambition: While Western markets wrestle with political gridlock, rising interest rates, and regulatory unpredictability, the Gulf offers a paradoxical mix of centralized control and long-term stability. Sovereign funds think in decades, not quarters. This creates fertile ground for patient capital. The AI and Tech Focus What's particularly striking about these recent deals is their concentration in artificial intelligence and technology infrastructure. The Salesforce announcement, the Humain partnerships with Nvidia and AMD, and AWS's $5 billion "AI Zone" investment all point to the same conclusion: the Gulf states are positioning themselves as global AI powerhouses. This isn't just about buying technology—it's about building entire ecosystems. Saudi Arabia's commitment to train 30,000 citizens in AI through the Salesforce partnership, combined with the massive infrastructure investments from U.S. tech giants, suggests a comprehensive approach to becoming a technology leader, not just a consumer. What This Means for American Capital The recent wave of commitments totaling over $50 billion when you add up the major deals—represents more than opportunistic investing. It signals a fundamental reorientation of global capital flows. For decades, Middle Eastern oil wealth flowed West, seeking returns in established markets. Now, that dynamic is reversing. American investors, asset managers, and technology companies are flowing East, chasing growth in emerging markets backed by sovereign wealth. The early movers such as Salesforce, Franklin Templeton, Nvidia, and Fisher Investments aren't just making financial bets. They're establishing strategic beachheads in what could become the next major global growth region. The Bottom Line The Middle East is no longer a frontier, it's a fast-emerging epicenter of capital, innovation, and long-term vision. The recent wave of billion-dollar commitments from America's most sophisticated investors proves that the Gulf has moved from the periphery to the center of global investment strategy. For American capital, the question is no longer if to engage with the Gulf but how to do so successfully. The window for early-mover advantage remains open, but it won't stay that way forever. Next week: The five principles every U.S. investor needs to master before entering Middle East markets—and the sectors offering the biggest opportunities.
Arab News
05-08-2025
- Business
- Arab News
MENA IT spending to reach $169bn in 2026
RIYADH: Information technology spending in the Middle East and North Africa region is forecast to reach $169 billion in 2026, marking an 8.9 percent increase from 2025, according to the latest projections from Gartner. The surge is driven by accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, and AI-optimized infrastructure upgrades, as organizations across the region prioritize digital transformation amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Gartner's forecast is already taking shape in Saudi Arabia, where AI adoption is surging, as seen with the launch of Humain, a state-backed AI company unveiled in May by the Public Investment Fund. Positioned at the forefront of the Kingdom's ambition to become a global AI hub, Humain focuses on deploying advanced AI infrastructure, developing Arabic multimodal large language models, and forging strategic partnerships with global technology leaders such as Nvidia, AMD, and Amazon Web Services. 'The MENA region is rapidly emerging as a global tech powerhouse, with the Gulf Cooperation Council leveraging its stability, infrastructure and forward-looking policies to attract global partners and build digital skills that empower innovation and support resilient AI-driven economies,' said Mim Burt, practice vice president at Gartner. 'Even amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, chief information officers in MENA are making strategic investments in AI, intelligent automation and multi-cloud strategies, while strengthening cyber defenses and advancing talent upskilling,' Burt added. Data center systems will remain the highest-growth segment in 2026, with spending projected to increase by 37.3 percent to $13 billion. However, Gartner noted that the pace will moderate compared to 2025's 69.3 percent growth, as the market transitions from rapid buildouts to more incremental and sustained investments. 'Data center system spending is expected to accelerate as MENA CIOs and technology leaders invest in AI-enabled software and AI-optimized infrastructure,' said Eyad Tachwali, vice president, advisory at Gartner. 'This surge is largely fueled by pent-up demand for generative AI and advanced machine learning, which depend on robust computing power for large-scale data processing,' Tachwali added. 'Most of this demand is being driven by governments, hyperscalers, technology providers and organizations focused on developing and deploying AI models, rather than traditional enterprises or consumers,' he noted. Software spending is also expected to see significant growth, rising 13.9 percent to $20.4 billion in 2026, as organizations across MENA integrate GenAI capabilities into their operations. Gartner projects that by 2028, 75 percent of global software spending will be directed toward solutions embedded with GenAI functionality. 'CIOs will increasingly be offered embedded GenAI capabilities in enterprise applications, productivity and developer tools, more advanced large language models as well as AI-optimized servers to support AI-as-a-service,' said Burt. 'Providers are also exploring new pricing models across software and hardware to drive revenue.' IT services spending in the region is projected to grow 8.3 percent in 2026, reflecting the shifting priorities as AI becomes a central component of enterprise strategies. 'With the rapid acceleration of AI infrastructure and adoption in MENA, CIOs must move beyond GenAI as a productivity tool and embed it into the heart of their business strategy,' said Tachwali. 'The real competitive edge will come from building strong data foundations, composable technology platforms and cultivating AI-fluent talent — core enablers for unlocking differentiated value from AI,' he added. Initiatives in this field across the region include those contained in Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 strategy, under which the Saudi Data and AI Authority is spearheading nationwide efforts to embed AI across economic sectors and elevate the country's competitiveness. Similarly, the UAE continues to reinforce its leadership in the sector with its UAE AI Strategy 2031, which aims to position the nation among the top AI-driven economies worldwide. The UAE's partnership with OpenAI under the Stargate UAE initiative will establish a 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu Dhabi, providing nationwide ChatGPT access and positioning the country as a regional AI hub with global-scale compute infrastructure.
