- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) backs $3bn data centre initiative.
- The project marks AirTrunk’s first move into the Middle East region, expanding its hyperscale capabilities.
What happened: AirTrunk expands into the Middle East, marking its first regional foray
Saudi Arabia’s national artificial intelligence (AI) company, HUMAIN, and AirTrunk, the Asia-Pacific data centre giant supported by global investment firm Blackstone, have announced a major partnership to build a $3 billion hyperscale data centre campus in the Kingdom. This collaboration is a pivotal move for AirTrunk as it marks the company’s expansion into the Middle East, an increasingly important market for AI and cloud computing infrastructure.
The development is aimed at providing robust data and AI infrastructure to support the region’s digital economy. Saudi Arabia, with the backing of its Public Investment Fund (PIF), has been focused on building its technological and AI capabilities. HUMAIN, which is leading this national drive, will play a critical role in ensuring that the project integrates AI solutions alongside the hyperscale facilities built by AirTrunk.
The partnership will also help position Saudi Arabia as a global player in AI, with advanced infrastructure designed to support the country’s ambitious plans for tech-driven growth.
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Why it’s important
The agreement between HUMAIN, AirTrunk, and Blackstone has far-reaching implications for Saudi Arabia’s economic future. By investing in AI-driven infrastructure, the partnership is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify its economy away from oil dependency. The new data centres will provide the foundation for an expanded digital ecosystem, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in cloud services and AI research within the Middle East.
“This initiative is a critical step towards scaling up Saudi Arabia’s digital and AI capabilities,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN. “Our collaboration with AirTrunk and Blackstone accelerates our national objectives of creating a sustainable, secure, and globally competitive digital economy.”
Stephen A. Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, noted that the firm’s involvement underscores its long-term commitment to the AI sector and its goal to build infrastructure that supports the global AI revolution.
This landmark project will not only address the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the Middle East but will also enhance the Kingdom’s ability to compete globally in the AI and cloud computing space.
