Saudi Arabia has directed significant investment into the future of artificial intelligence (A.I.), signaling its intent to build sovereign capabilities distinct from global tech powers. At the heart of this initiative stands Tareq Amin, CEO of the state-backed firm Humain, who brings deep experience from the telecom sector to his latest challenge. Amin’s focus has moved well beyond consumer-facing applications, centering instead on the physical and digital foundations—computing power, vast data sets, energy resources, and networks—needed to support large-scale A.I. development. As competition in A.I. increases worldwide, Amin’s approach reflects broader questions about technology ownership, digital sovereignty, and regional equality. Observers are watching as Humain’s strategy unfolds, particularly given the $600 billion committed by Saudi Arabia to this effort.
Earlier efforts by Saudi Arabia to establish a presence in advanced technology have often centered on partnerships and investments in well-known Western companies. Previous reports noted an emphasis on digital infrastructure expansion but rarely outlined system-wide strategies tailored to national sovereignty. The involvement of brands such as Nvidia, Cisco, and Groq, along with recent acquisitions and rapid adoption of hardware like Nvidia’s GB300 Blackwell chips, points to significant acceleration in the pace and ambition of the kingdom’s current initiative versus prior, more fragmented efforts. Amin’s background in launching Rakuten’s Open RAN network also demonstrates a blending of international experience with a distinctly national focus not prominent in earlier Saudi projects.
Why is Humain Prioritizing Infrastructure Over Applications?
Humain’s organizational strategy distances itself from the typical A.I. trend of prioritizing applications or chatbots. Tareq Amin asserts that the foundational elements—compute, data, energy, and connectivity—will ultimately determine the resilience and usability of future technologies. He said,
“The real game is infrastructure: compute, data, energy and connectivity. Without solving those, you’re layering gimmicks on top of fragile systems.”
This perspective draws directly from Amin’s earlier experience in telecom, where backbone systems dictated overall performance & reach.
How Does Experience from Telecom Guide Saudi Arabia’s A.I. Strategy?
Amin’s leadership at Rakuten and Aramco Digital has shaped his understanding of critical infrastructure. The methodologies that transformed the telecom sector—scalability, sustainability, and democratization of accessibility—are being applied now by Humain to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign A.I. effort. By combining global partnerships with Nvidia, Cisco, and Groq, Humain aims to ensure its infrastructure is simultaneously competitive on a world stage and deeply integrated within Saudi society. Amin illustrated this continuum, saying,
“Telecom taught me that infrastructure is everything, and nothing is impossible.”
What is the Role of Partnerships in Building Saudi A.I. Autonomy?
Essential to the operational model is strategic cooperation with leading global technology firms. Humain has secured advanced A.I. chips from Nvidia and integrated technologies from Cisco and Groq, showing a willingness to co-develop new systems rather than import ready-made solutions. These collaborations are not just about access to innovation but are structured to build local capacity and expertise. This dual commitment enables Saudi Arabia to move at a pace more commonly associated with startups, balancing the scale of government backing with nimble execution. The reliance on close partnerships sets the stage for lasting autonomy over core A.I. infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s approach raises critical questions about digital sovereignty and equitable access to A.I. benefits for less represented regions. As global competition tightens, access to leading-edge A.I. components—and the capacity to integrate them seamlessly—will likely set large national projects like Humain’s apart. Attention to long-term talent development, including A.I. literacy and problem-solving skills for Saudi youth, is cited by Amin as equally important for future-proofing the workforce. For countries or organizations seeking similar advances, investment in underlying technology and a focus on viable long-term partnerships may prove more effective than headline-grabbing application launches. These details may inform future decision-makers aiming to keep pace with A.I.’s rapid progression.
