Saudi Arabia Targets AI Data Center Leadership
Saudi Arabia is quickly leveraging its low-cost energy to gain control over the AI data center industry. Aramco CEO Amin Nasser emphasized the kingdom's advantage with cheap gas and renewables to power the extensive servers required for artificial intelligence models.
“If you want gas, you will find the lowest cost gas. If you want renewable, you will find the lowest cost renewable.”
Ample Resources and Infrastructure Plans
Nasser highlighted that Saudi Arabia has sufficient land and energy resources to develop infrastructure at any required scale. AI data centers are expected to consume nearly four times the power used by all electric cars worldwide by 2030, primarily fueled by natural gas supported by renewables.
Investments and Strategic Moves
- Aramco plans to increase natural gas production by over 60% by 2030 to meet AI energy needs.
- In October, Aramco took a significant minority stake in Humain, a Saudi-based AI firm launched in May.
- The Public Investment Fund (PIF) holds the majority stake in Humain.
National AI Champion Ambitions
“Humain will be Saudi Arabia’s national AI champion. Compete with China and the U.S.”
Tareq Amin, CEO of Humain, expressed the kingdom’s goal to become the world's third-largest AI power.
Summary
Saudi Arabia is strategically investing in its energy advantage to lead the AI data center market, aiming to become a top global AI power through increased gas production and national AI firms.