Saudi Arabia’s vision: The AI Zone

On May 12th 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of HUMAIN: a PIF-owned company that will drive the development of AI in Saudi Arabia. 

This strategic initiative is shaping up to position the Kingdom as a pioneering force in the world of artificial intelligence. At its heart are groundbreaking partnerships between HUMAIN and some of the biggest names in the global tech industry, including Amazon. 

Together, HUMAIN and Amazon are working to create an AI Zone in Saudi Arabia – an area dedicated to the development of next-generation AI services, tools, and infrastructures. 

This move is a clear signal that the Kingdom isn’t just playing catch-up with global AI trends; instead, it’s ready to lead the way. 

A vision for the future: The AI Zone

More than just a physical space, the AI Zone will house Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, including servers, networks, and AI tools – all geared towards fostering innovation in AI development. 

The involvement of AWS will help HUMAIN deliver advanced AI solutions to local businesses, and nurture the growth of AI startups across Saudi Arabia. 

And critically, HUMAIN is committed to building an ecosystem that empowers Saudi-based organisations to use state-of-the-art AI technologies. Already, HUMAIN has pledged to offer access to AWS’s training and certification programmes; allowing local talent to develop the skills they need to thrive in the fast-faced, high-demand AI sector. 

Collaboration with global tech leaders 

As well as Amazon, HUMAIN has already secured partnerships with global tech giants including Nvidia and AMD. The ambition here is clear, and these collabs are vital to enable access to emerging AI technologies and expertise – which will help drive Saudi Arabia’s vision to establish itself as a tech powerhouse. 

With AWS, the AI Zone will benefit from the tools and infrastructure it needs to accelerate AI development; and startups and entrepreneurs will be able to access the resources necessary to develop innovative, relevant solutions that can compete on the global stage. 

It’s an exciting moment for anyone interested in working with AI in Saudi Arabia – because the nation is very much looking outward, and ready to engage with international players to shape the future of AI. 

A positive impact on Saudi Arabia’s tech ecosystem 

HUMAIN isn’t just about creating an AI infrastructure. It’s about building out a whole ecosystem to drive long-term growth. Its work will have a ripple effect that benefits the entire tech industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. 

It’ll boost the country’s knowledge economy, create job opportunities, and open up space for innovations that could transform industries around the world. 

With the support of key partnerships the AI Zone will also play a significant role in attracting an influx of international talent and investment to Saudi Arabia. It’s another big step towards establishing the nation’s position as a hub for tech innovation in the Middle East and globally; and at LEAP, we’re excited to follow HUMAIN’s journey closely.