Global investors accelerate Saudi digital growth with major data centre investment and AI infrastructure
A landmark US$3bn investment is set to transform Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure, as Blackstone Inc., AirTrunk, and the Kingdom’s new artificial intelligence company, Humain, join forces to build next-generation data centres and AI infrastructure across the region, according to statements from the companies.
This strategic partnership, as reported by Bloomberg and confirmed in a joint press release, brings together Humain’s national AI mandate and AirTrunk’s operational expertise, backed by the financial strength of Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
The collaboration aims to finance, develop, and operate large-scale, AI-ready data centres, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global innovation hub and diversify its economy.
Tareq Amin, chief executive officer of Humain, described the partnership as “a pivotal moment in creating scalable, secure, and sustainable data centre capacity to support the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing,” underscoring the initiative’s role in strengthening the Kingdom’s digital economy.
Robin Khuda, AirTrunk’s Founder and CEO, highlighted the opportunity to deliver world-class digital infrastructure in one of the fastest-growing regions globally.
According to Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, the AI revolution remains one of the firm’s “highest conviction themes,” and this initiative reinforces Blackstone’s position as a leading global investor in digital infrastructure.
The partnership will also focus on developing local talent and capabilities, as well as attracting enterprise clients and hyperscalers, in line with Humain’s mandate to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
As per Bloomberg, Humain is already advancing construction on its first data centres, with plans to add 1.9 gigawatts’ worth of capacity by 2030 and to have the initial sites operational early next year.
