Saudi Arabia’s Humain to Launch Data Centers with US Chips in Early 2026
Humain, a newly established artificial intelligence company in Saudi Arabia, has started building its first data centers within the Kingdom. The company plans to activate these centers in early 2026, utilizing semiconductors imported from the United States, according to recent reports.
Locations and Capacity
The data centers will be situated in Riyadh, the capital, and Dammam, located in the Eastern Province. Both centers are expected to go live in the second quarter of 2026 and will each have an initial capacity of up to 100 megawatts. This scale of capacity signals a significant infrastructure investment in the region’s technology and construction sectors.
Technology and Partnerships
Humain is sourcing its semiconductors from prominent US chipmakers, including Nvidia’s latest artificial intelligence chips. The company has already received local regulatory approval for these imports. Nvidia announced plans to sell hundreds of thousands of AI chips in Saudi Arabia, with Humain receiving the first batch of 18,000 of the newest “Blackwell” chips.
In addition to Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has partnered with Humain on a substantial $10 billion collaboration, further strengthening the company’s technological foundation.
Strategic Backing and Services
Launched in May under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Humain aims to provide a range of AI services and products. These include data center services, AI infrastructure, cloud capabilities, and advanced AI models.
- Data centers: Large-scale facilities with up to 100 megawatts capacity.
- AI infrastructure: Hardware and software platforms supporting AI workloads.
- Cloud capabilities: Scalable cloud services for AI applications.
- Advanced AI models: Cutting-edge AI solutions for various industries.
Implications for Real Estate and Construction
The construction of these data centers represents a major opportunity for professionals in real estate and construction. Building facilities that accommodate large-scale power and cooling requirements demands specialized knowledge of industrial and commercial infrastructure.
Developers and contractors involved in these projects will need to address challenges such as:
- High electrical load management and backup power systems.
- Efficient cooling solutions for heat-intensive AI hardware.
- Security and compliance with local regulations.
- Scalable design to accommodate future expansion.
Additionally, these projects will likely accelerate the demand for skilled labor and advanced construction technologies in Saudi Arabia.
Broader Context
The move aligns with broader partnerships between US technology firms and the Middle East. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump secured $600 billion in commitments from Saudi Arabia to US companies during a Gulf states tour.
Humain’s development is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger strategy to boost its AI capabilities and infrastructure, supported by significant government investment and high-profile leadership.
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