Qualcomm and HUMAIN forge Saudi AI data centre deal
Partnership to develop next-generation AI data centres and cloud-to-edge services
#SaudiArabia #datacentres - US-based connected intelligent computing leader Qualcomm Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia's new national AI champion HUMAIN to develop next-generation AI data centres and cloud-to-edge services. The strategic collaboration, announced during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh during President Donald Trump's visit, will deliver cutting-edge AI infrastructure in the Kingdom and integrate HUMAIN's Arabic large language models across Qualcomm-powered edge devices. The agreement also includes establishing a Qualcomm Design Centre to develop Saudi Arabia's semiconductor ecosystem.
SO WHAT? - This partnership represents a significant strategic pivot for Saudi Arabia's technological development, establishing the infrastructure needed for sovereign AI capabilities while simultaneously building domestic semiconductor design expertise. By partnering with Qualcomm, the Kingdom gains access to industry-leading CPU and AI solutions that will enable it to develop an integrated cloud-to-edge AI platform with particular strength in Arabic language AI applications – positioning Saudi Arabia to become a regional technology hub beyond traditional energy sectors.
Qualcomm Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Public Investment Fund (PIF) owned AI company HUMAIN to develop next-generation AI data centres and cloud-to-edge services.
The partnership will develop state-of-the-art AI data centres in Saudi Arabia specifically designed to deliver highly efficient, scalable cloud-to-edge hybrid AI inferencing solutions using Qualcomm's advanced edge and data centre solutions.
Qualcomm will provide cutting-edge data centre CPU and AI solutions with leading performance and efficiency metrics to power HUMAIN's AI cloud infrastructure, establishing a foundation for next-generation AI services.
The collaboration will accelerate adoption of HUMAIN's AI cloud infrastructure by leveraging the wide ecosystem of edge devices powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon and Dragonwing processors, creating an integrated technology stack.
A key component of the partnership involves integrating HUMAIN's family of Arabic large language models (ALLaM), co-developed with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), with Qualcomm-powered edge devices, bringing hybrid cloud-to-edge AI capabilities to a vast array of devices.
The agreement includes establishing a world-class Qualcomm Design Centre in Saudi Arabia focused on semiconductor technology, supported by training and startup initiatives to build domestic capabilities in chip design and engineering.
The agreement was signed during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh during the official visit of US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom, highlighting the strategic importance of the technology partnership.
ZOOM OUT - The agreement with HUMAIN builds upon Qualcomm's growing presence and activities in Saudi Arabia. At LEAP25 in Riyadh, Qualcomm and SDAIA unveiled the ALLaM AI PC, a groundbreaking fully integrated AI personal computer combining Saudi Arabia's national large language model with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite platform. A product now being developed by HUMAIN. The US firm has also partnered with Aramco and Saudi Arabia's Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA) to launch the Design in Saudi Arabia with AI (DISAI) accelerator program, selecting six early-stage startups focused on AI, edge computing, wireless, and IoT applications.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
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