Saudi Arabia launches world's largest Sovereign AI Cloud
stc Group partners with SambaNova for advanced Sovereign AI Cloud platform
#Saudi #SovereignCloud - stc Group, the Middle East’s largest listed telecom operator, has launched the world’s largest sovereign AI cloud platform via its new subsidiary stc.AI. Developed in collaboration with Palo Alto-based AI company SambaNova Systems, the platform will host Meta’s Llama 405B, the world’s most powerful open-source large language model, and the even bigger DeepSeek R1 671B, ensuring the fastest inference speeds available. At the core of the platform is stc Enterprise GPT, a cutting-edge generative AI model that enables Saudi businesses to create and fine-tune AI models with private data in a secure environment.
SO WHAT? - Despite rising demand, Saudi Arabia has lacked a choice of sovereign cloud services to support the fast adoption of AI across government, the public sector and leading enterprises. First to bring a full stack of technology for Generative AI, from chips to models, SambaNova has purpose built a a platform for the enterprise, making it ideal for Sovereign AI. The platform is powered by the fourth generation SambaNova RDU, the SN40L which is able to perform both AI training and inference with industry leading performance and a significantly smaller footprint than many other solutions. Integrating SambaNova with its Enterprise GPT platform, stc aims to drive AI innovation, enterprise adoption, and sovereign data security.
Here are the key points regarding this announcement:
stc Group and SambaNova Systems have launched the world’s largest sovereign AI cloud platform, designed for Saudi enterprises to fine-tune AI models using local data securely. The platform integrates with stc Enterprise GPT.
The cloud platform will run Meta’s Llama 405B, the most powerful open-source LLM, and the even larger size DeepSeek-R1 671B model, delivering industry-leading inference speeds.
stc Enterprise GPT offers advanced generative AI capabilities, allowing businesses to integrate AI solutions seamlessly.
SambaNova Systems announced a commitment to invest $140 million to Saudi AI infrastructure last week, supporting projects in AI and semiconductor research through partnerships with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and RDIA’s National Semiconductor Hub.
SambaNova’s breakthrough AI efficiency enables massive AI models to run on a single 10-kilowatt rack, reducing power consumption compared to traditional 40-rack setups.
stc and SambaNova showcased the sovereign AI cloud platform at LEAP25. Full-scale deployment is expected later this year.
SambaNova operates across 13 subsidiaries located in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
ZOOM OUT – SambaNova Systems has been quietly growing its business in Saudi Arabia via strategic partnerships with key public and state-backed organisations. During the recent LEAP25 event in Riyadh, the company announced $140 million in investments in Saudi Arabia's AI infrastructure, partnering with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the RDIA’s National Semiconductor Hub. The Sovereign LLM-as-a-Service collaboration with stc represents another strategic deal for the company and an opportunity to build more recognition among some of the largest enterprises in the region.
Read more about SambaNova:
SambaNova to invest $140 million in Saudi infrastructure (Middle East AI News)