A trillion-dollar deal: a new US–Saudi AI alliance

US technology firms have struck agreements with Saudi Arabia’s Humain to scale artificial intelligence in the region. The initiative coincides with President Donald Trump’s visit to the country.

Nvidia

Nvidia will sell more than 18,000 of its latest AI chips to Humain. CEO Jensen Huang said this during a regional trip that included Trump and other corporate leaders.

Blackwell chips will be used in data centres with a total capacity of 500 MW in Saudi Arabia. Nvidia said it would supply the GB300, one of the firm’s most advanced products.

“I am very glad to be here to help celebrate the grand opening and launch of Humain. Saudi Arabia must build AI infrastructure in your country so that you can participate and help shape the future of this incredibly transformative technology,” Huang said.

Humain is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The company will develop AI models and data-centre infrastructure. Its plans include “deploying several hundred thousand Nvidia graphics processors”.

“Thank you very much, Jensen. Tim Cook is not here, but you are,” Trump commented.

Amazon

Amazon said it would, together with Humain, create a “groundbreaking AI zone” to accelerate adoption in Saudi Arabia and globally. The partnership entails more than $5bn in investment.

“This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 development strategy and builds on the kingdom’s 2024 pledge to invest in creating an AI-based economy. It represents a significant step toward realizing the state’s ambitions to become a world leader in artificial intelligence,” the statement said.

Amazon pledged to provide the country with its advanced server and network infrastructure capabilities and AI and machine-learning services, including Amazon SageMaker AI, Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q.

Under the tie-up, Humain intends to develop AI solutions using Amazon Web Services for end clients. The firms will also create a unified marketplace for AI agents.

AMD

AMD is another US chipmaker with which Humain has partnered to build AI infrastructure over the next five years. The agreement involves $10bn of investment.

Honored to be in Riyadh today at the US-Saudi Business Summit during @POTUS’s visit to unveil our new partnership with @HUMAINAI — a $10B initiative to scale an open, global AI infrastructure! pic.twitter.com/prhSHgeVwx

— Lisa Su (@LisaSu) May 13, 2025

Humain will oversee the development of data centres, resilient energy systems and global fibre connections, while AMD will provide chips and software. The project will create data centres “stretching from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States”.

“Our investment in Humain is a significant milestone in the development of global AI infrastructure. Together we are creating a meaningful artificial intelligence platform that delivers performance, openness and reach at an unprecedented level,” said AMD chief executive Lisa Su.

Global AI

The partnerships do not end with Nvidia, Amazon and AMD. US technology company Global AI intends to work with Humain, writes Bloomberg.

According to media reports, the deal is valued in the billions of dollars.

Global AI is building a data centre in New York that will use Nvidia chips. It offers AI infrastructure for private companies and sovereign states.

Under the partnership, Humain will gain access to Global AI’s data centres in the US.

Expanding cooperation

Trump’s visit to Riyadh is tied to attracting foreign investment to the country. The trip includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, pledged to increase investment in the US by $600bn. Trump is seeking $1trn.

According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration is preparing to announce a deal granting Saudi Arabia broader access to advanced semiconductors and paving the way for more data-centre capacity in the Gulf, even as some US officials remain concerned about the kingdom’s ties to China.

The two governments have reached an early-stage agreement but still need to work through key details. The US is chiefly concerned that China could gain access to chips shipped to Saudi Arabia.

Since 2023 Washington has required companies to obtain a licence to sell AI processors to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, largely out of concern that equipment could end up under Beijing’s control.

Last year the Joe Biden administration discussed possible limits on shipments that would protect US technology from China without deterring third countries from buying the equipment.

Legislation

In early May it was reported that a bill is being prepared requiring US chipmakers to verify the location of AI chips after sale. The effort is aimed at combating the smuggling of processors into China in circumvention of export controls.

The chip-location verification technology relies on their connection to a secure computer server. The system would use the time it takes a signal to reach the centre, allowing the processor’s location to be determined at the country level.

Later Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas introduced the corresponding legislative measure. If passed, geo-tracking features would be mandatory, including for high-performance graphics cards.

In January, Donald Trump announced $500bn of private-sector investment in AI infrastructure.