Saudi minister seeks stronger AI partnerships

Saudi Arabia is strengthening strategic partnerships in AI, semiconductors, and advanced computing 

Saudi Minister of Communications Abdullah Al-Swaha held meetings with executives from NVIDIA, Intel, HPE and Kleiner Perkins during his visit to Silicon Valley, the state-run SPA reported.

They discussed strengthening the Kingdom’s partnerships in AI, semiconductors, advanced computing and local manufacturing, as well as expanding investments in Saudi AI and deep-tech companies.

Al-Swaha met with NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang to discuss accelerating the expansion of AI factories being developed by HUMAIN in partnership with NVIDIA, adopting the company’s next-generation platforms, and supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s AI infrastructure.

He also met Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to discuss expanding cooperation in semiconductors and advanced computing, accelerating the localization and development of AI and computing solutions in the Kingdom, activating Intel Foundry’s role in Saudi Arabia, and integrating Intel technologies into HUMAIN’s computing infrastructure.

With HPE President and CEO Antonio Neri, Al-Swaha discussed accelerating the company’s local manufacturing expansion in Saudi Arabia to include AI infrastructure and integrating HPE’s AI factory solutions with HUMAIN’s computing capabilities.

In venture capital, Al-Swaha met Kleiner Perkins Managing Partner and General Partner Mamoon Hamid to discuss expanding investments in Saudi AI and deep-tech companies, encouraging portfolio companies to expand into the Kingdom, and connecting Saudi startups with global capital and expertise networks.

The meetings are part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen its position across global AI and advanced-computing value chains, spanning infrastructure, computing capabilities, semiconductors, local manufacturing and venture capital. This comes in line with efforts to localize advanced technologies, attract strategic investment and support the growth of Saudi companies.