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The global race for AI compute capacity is accelerating, with strategic partnerships forming to build the next generation of infrastructure. In a major move to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading AI hub, AMD, Cisco, and HUMAIN - a company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - have announced plans to form a joint venture. This collaboration aims to develop world-class AI solutions for regional and global customers by combining state-of-the-art data centers with leading-edge compute and networking technology.
AMD, Cisco, and HUMAIN plan a joint venture to build AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
The JV targets developing up to 1 GW of AI data center capacity by 2030.
The first phase is a 100 MW buildout using AMD MI450 GPUs and Cisco infrastructure.
AMD and Cisco will serve as exclusive technology partners to the venture.
An AMD Center of Excellence will be established in Saudi Arabia to foster local innovation.
The JV addresses a critical gap, as only 29% of Saudi organizations have robust GPU capacity.
This joint venture is a significant step in powering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's digitally advanced, AI-driven economy. It builds upon a previously announced initiative and aims to provide the scalable, high-performance, and cost-effective infrastructure required for enterprises to deploy AI at scale. The collaboration is a direct response to market needs; a Cisco AI Readiness Index found that while 91% of Saudi organizations plan to deploy AI agents, only 29% currently have the necessary GPU capacity, highlighting a critical infrastructure gap.
The joint venture, expected to begin operations in 2026, will see AMD and Cisco act as exclusive technology partners. HUMAIN will contribute its modern data center capacity, which will be powered by AMD's next-generation Instinct™ MI450 Series GPUs and Cisco's industry-leading critical infrastructure. This partnership is designed to deliver modern data center capacity with efficient power usage and lower capital expenditures, making advanced AI compute more accessible.
Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, said: "Delivering high-performance global AI infrastructure at scale requires strong partnerships. Together with HUMAIN and Cisco, we're combining leadership compute and networking technologies to expand the capacity and global competitiveness of the Kingdom's AI ecosystem. As part of this deepening collaboration, we're also establishing an AMD Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia to further accelerate local integration and innovation."
Beyond providing raw compute power, this venture is strategically positioned to strengthen the foundations of Saudi Arabia's digital economy. It supports national goals to localize innovation, talent, and technology. By establishing a physical presence and centers of excellence, the partnership is intended to foster a local ecosystem of AI expertise and development, moving beyond mere consumption of technology to active participation in the global AI supply chain.
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco said: "Our expanded partnership with HUMAIN, together with AMD, will mark a pivotal moment in accelerating Saudi Arabia's AI infrastructure. By providing secure, scalable, critical infrastructure for HUMAIN's up to 1 GW buildout, Cisco will help the Kingdom turn its vision for a digitally advanced, AI-powered economy into a reality."
The planned joint venture between AMD, Cisco, and HUMAIN represents a monumental investment in the future of AI. It signals a strategic shift in the global AI infrastructure landscape, positioning Saudi Arabia not just as a major consumer of AI technology, but as a pivotal and competitive player in providing the foundational compute power that will drive the next wave of global innovation.
About AMD
For more than 55 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies. Billions of people, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research institutions around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees are focused on building leadership high-performance and adaptive products that push the boundaries of what is possible.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry-leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners, and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all.
About HUMAIN
HUMAIN, a PIF company, is a global artificial intelligence company delivering full-stack AI capabilities across four core areas: next-generation data centers, hyper-performance infrastructure & cloud platforms, advanced AI Models, including the world's most advanced Arabic LLMs built in the Arab world, and transformative AI Solutions that combine deep sector insight with real-world execution.
HUMAIN's end-to-end model serves both public and private sector organizations, unlocking exponential value across all industries, driving transformation and strengthening capabilities through human-AI synergies. With a growing portfolio of sector-specific AI products and a core mission to drive IP leadership and talent supremacy world-wide, HUMAIN is engineered for global competitiveness and national distinction.
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