Saudi Arabia has taken a bold step toward positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence with the launch of Humain, a state-backed AI company. The announcement came just days before President Donald Trump’s official visit to the Kingdom, signaling a concerted effort to bolster the nation’s tech landscape. At the helm of Humain is Tareq Amin, a former executive at Aramco Digital and Rakuten, who now leads this ambitious venture aimed at transforming Saudi Arabia into an AI powerhouse.
A Major Move in AI Innovation
The kingdom’s latest initiative is an embodiment of its broader push to diversify its economy beyond oil. Humain is designed to operate and invest across the entire AI value chain, from research and development to deployment in critical sectors like energy, health, and infrastructure. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will chair the project, with backing from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The scale of Humain’s ambitions is clear, especially as Saudi Arabia continues to pour resources into artificial intelligence, a sector that promises to reshape the global economy.
Humain’s formation is part of the broader “Project Transcendence” initiative, which was reportedly launched last year to give Saudi Arabia an edge in the AI race. The country has been ramping up investments in tech, aiming to rival the UAE’s growing AI presence. This marks a significant strategic shift, as Saudi Arabia diversifies its investment away from its traditional oil-based industries.
The Role of Tareq Amin and Leadership Changes
Tareq Amin, who previously served as the CEO of Aramco Digital, brings significant expertise to the project. Amin’s leadership is seen as pivotal in bringing Humain’s vision to life. His experience in driving digital transformation at Aramco Digital, the tech arm of the state-owned oil giant, positions him well to lead the charge. In a LinkedIn post back in December, Amin expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This initiative will pave the way for a groundbreaking national AI strategy in Saudi Arabia, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead this mission.”
Under Amin’s leadership, Humain plans to develop proprietary AI technology and streamline the use of AI tools within the Saudi economy. Additionally, the company will focus on the kingdom’s vast data center projects, which are expected to become a cornerstone of its AI infrastructure.
A Growing Investment in AI and Data Centers
Saudi Arabia’s investment in AI and data centers has been steadily increasing, particularly in the last few years. This is in line with the country’s Vision 2030, which aims to reduce its dependence on oil and position the Kingdom as a global tech leader. Humain will play a key role in supporting this transition by investing in AI infrastructure and creating a robust ecosystem for AI companies. This effort will complement the massive investments already flowing into the country from both local and international players.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia announced approximately $15 billion in deals with chipmakers, cloud operators, and data center companies. These deals were part of the kingdom’s Leap tech conference, which highlighted its growing commitment to AI. Among the companies involved in these partnerships are tech giants like Nvidia, Oracle, and Google, signaling the serious nature of Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions.
Strategic Timing: Trump’s Visit and U.S.-Saudi Ties
The launch of Humain is particularly timely, as it coincides with President Donald Trump’s state visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2025. The visit is seen as an opportunity to further solidify ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with an emphasis on business and investment. Trump’s trip includes a slew of high-profile business leaders, including Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang, Amazon’s Andy Jassy, and Palantir’s Alex Karp.
During the trip, there will likely be significant discussions about the future of AI and the access to key technologies like AI chips. One of the biggest challenges for both Saudi Arabia and the UAE is acquiring the latest AI chips, especially as the U.S. has imposed strict export controls to prevent these technologies from being smuggled to adversarial nations like China. However, Trump has hinted at relaxing these restrictions, which could open up opportunities for Saudi Arabia to secure the AI infrastructure it needs.
The Bigger Picture: Saudi’s Vision for the Future
Humain is a central piece of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to reshape its economy. The country has long relied on oil, but with fluctuating prices and a growing global push for cleaner energy, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in new industries. The PIF, the state-backed investment fund, has been instrumental in these efforts, making significant investments in global tech companies and forging new partnerships in sectors like artificial intelligence.
Despite recent challenges, including a downturn in oil prices, Saudi Arabia’s tech investments remain a priority. The creation of Humain is just the latest step in this ambitious plan to diversify the country’s economy and establish it as a leader in the AI sector. With the backing of the PIF and leadership from experienced executives like Amin, Humain is poised to become a critical player in Saudi Arabia’s tech revolution.
