Why the U.S. is powering Saudi Arabia’s AI surge with Nvidia chips | Fortune
Imagine this: You’re in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the desert heat is matched only by the heat of sizzling AI deals. U.S. tech giants Nvidia and AMD are making waves—and not just small ripples, but billion-dollar splashes. Why? It’s all part of a massive push to shape the Middle East into a global AI powerhouse.
Let’s break it down in plain English—and yes, we’re keeping things casual but backed with facts that would make even Google’s algorithm nod in approval.
What’s Going On With Nvidia and AMD in Saudi Arabia?
Here’s the TL;DR if you’re short on time:
- Nvidia is selling hundreds of thousands of its latest AI chips to a new Saudi startup called Humain.
- AMD is partnering with Humain too, in a jaw-dropping $10 billion deal.
- Saudi Arabia isn’t just buying tech—it’s also investing $20 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure.
- All of this happened as former U.S. President Donald Trump visited the Gulf to secure $600 billion in commitments for American businesses.
Now let’s dive a bit deeper into why this matters.
Who Is Humain and Why Should You Care?
Humain is Saudi Arabia’s latest bet in the AI game, launched by none other than Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The company is backed by the kingdom’s powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF) and aims to turn Saudi Arabia into a top global player in artificial intelligence.
Their plan? Build massive AI factories, each equipped with up to 500 megawatts of computing capacity. That’s a lot of power—enough to support several hundred thousand Nvidia GPUs over the next five years.
What’s in the Deal for Nvidia?
Nvidia gets a huge new market for its cutting-edge Blackwell AI chips—the same chips used in data-crunching, cloud computing, and next-gen AI models.
According to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, this isn’t just a hardware sale—it’s about building a new AI ecosystem from the ground up. These chips will be the brainpower behind Humain’s AI cloud infrastructure and services.
And yes, that might just give Nvidia an even bigger edge in the global AI race.
AMD Isn’t Sitting Back Either
AMD is stepping up in a big way with its own $10 billion strategic collaboration. But here’s the twist: it’s not just about selling chips. According to Keith Strier, AMD’s SVP of Global AI Markets, it’s also about building resilient AI infrastructure that doesn’t rely on just one vendor.
In short, Humain wants options, and AMD is offering a versatile combo of CPUs, GPUs, and AI orchestration software. Even Lisa Su, AMD’s CEO, called it a chance to create a globally significant platform for next-gen AI.
Wait, There’s More – Qualcomm, Google, Oracle & More Join the Party
Beyond Nvidia and AMD, Qualcomm also signed an MOU with Humain to develop powerful AI CPUs. And it’s not just Saudi Arabia investing—Saudi firm DataVolt is spending $20 billion in U.S.-based AI data centers.
Even more interesting? The White House says U.S. tech companies like Google, Oracle, Salesforce, Uber, and AMD will invest $80 billion across Saudi and American AI initiatives.
Why This Matters for the Future of AI
Here’s the big picture:
- Saudi Arabia is moving fast to reduce its dependence on oil by investing in future technologies like AI.
- The U.S. sees this as a chance to deepen strategic tech ties and stimulate the American economy.
- AI infrastructure—not just software—is now central to geopolitical and economic strategy.
This isn’t just tech news. It’s the reshaping of global power structures, with AI as the engine.
Quick Snippet: What’s the Big AI Deal Between Saudi Arabia, Nvidia, and AMD?
Saudi Arabia’s Humain is partnering with U.S. tech giants Nvidia and AMD in AI chip and infrastructure deals worth over $10 billion. These collaborations aim to make the kingdom a global AI leader by building large-scale AI factories and cloud platforms.
Final Thoughts: Is This the New AI Gold Rush?
You could say it’s the Silicon Valley meets the Arabian Desert. With the U.S. and Saudi Arabia both pouring in billions, we’re witnessing a whole new era of AI expansion.
Whether you’re an investor, a techie, or just an AI enthusiast, one thing’s clear: The future of artificial intelligence is being written right now—and it’s being co-authored from Silicon Valley to Riyadh.
#ArtificialIntelligence #Nvidia #AMD #MiddleEastTech #AIInvestment