PIF, Google Cloud to create advanced AI hub in Saudi Arabia

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Google Cloud announced today, Oct. 30, a strategic partnership to create a new global artificial intelligence (AI) hub. The new AI hub will be based near Dammam, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

 

The landmark partnership, which was signed at the Future Investment Initiative 8th Edition (FII8), further establishes Saudi Arabia as a global hub and top AI destination for local and global enterprises and startups, the PIF said in an emailed statement to Argaam.

 

This partnership aims to develop the Saudi workforce through AI programs for millions of students and professionals, supporting the national objective of growing the information and communication technology (ICT) sector by 50%.

 

Under the partnership, customers will be able to use Google Cloud’s technology to support growth across industries and increase capacity for the delivery of AI applications. Businesses and their end consumers can expect to benefit from better quality AI applications and data services, delivered faster locally.

 

The partnership, which is subject to obtaining regulatory approvals, will feature joint research on Arabic language models as well as Saudi-specific AI applications. Enabled by Google Cloud’s years of investment and leadership in custom silicon, this high-performance, purpose-built infrastructure will include the newest tensor processing unit (TPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerators as well as the Vertex AI platform – Google Cloud’s specialized development platform that enables customers to build generative AI applications.

 

The partnership demonstrates the attractiveness of Saudi Arabia for major technology projects. Investors can benefit from the country’s strategic location at the intersection of three continents, its advanced infrastructure, its position in the rapidly growing markets of the Middle East, and the prospect of reliable and affordable renewable energy to supply the AI hub.