How are HUMAIN and center3 Leading Saudi AI Innovation?

A subsidiary of the stc Group, center3, is working with HUMAIN through a joint venture to construct and manage AI-focused data centres throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, targeting a potential capacity of up to 1GW.

The collaboration merges center3's data centre operations and regional connectivity with HUMAIN's full-stack AI expertise. The first stage will provide up to 250MW of capacity, designed for high-density AI workloads and training large-scale models.

The partnership expands on the two companies’ current digital infrastructure relationship, seeking to quicken AI readiness in the region by delivering purpose-built facilities.

“This joint venture with HUMAIN reinforces our commitment to enabling the region’s digital future,” explained Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc Group.

Olayan added: “By combining HUMAIN’s AI leadership with center3’s world-class data-centre expertise, we are creating the right foundation to strengthen the region’s capacity to host next-generation AI workloads.”

Infrastructure engineered for AI demands

The joint venture is focused on providing next-generation data centre infrastructure for AI workloads that demand high power density, low latency and resilient operations.

The facilities will support large language models and other essential AI applications, with scalability as a fundamental part of the plan.

HUMAIN's role is to ensure the physical infrastructure aligns with the needs of advanced AI systems and future compute architectures.

“AI at scale requires purpose-built compute, efficiency and resilience,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN. “Through this joint venture, HUMAIN and stc group are engineering infrastructure capable of meeting the most demanding workloads while designed to support future advancements.”

The partners note the design strategy highlights a growing separation between traditional data centres and those optimised for AI, where power availability and thermal management are crucial.

Scaling regional capacity through center3

For center3, this joint venture broadens its presence as a digital infrastructure provider in Saudi Arabia.

center3 will use its current data centre portfolio and interconnection platforms to deliver facilities that support high-density computing at scale.

“Our role in this partnership is to turn vision into capacity,” stated Fahad AlHajeri, CEO of center3.

Fahad continues: “Leveraging our expanding data-centre footprint, interconnected platforms and proven operations, we will deliver the density, resilience and availability required for next-generation AI computing. 

“This joint venture marks an important step in scaling the infrastructure foundation to meet surging regional market demand.”

A key aspect of the plan is providing production-grade availability and operational resilience.

The joint venture will assist national and international organisations in deploying AI workloads within the Kingdom.

Supporting Saudi Arabia’s national AI strategy

This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia's wider initiative to be a regional centre for digital infrastructure and AI.

By merging hyperscale-ready data centres with AI-specific design, the joint venture aims to create a platform for deploying advanced models and data-heavy applications in the country.

The companies say the new infrastructure will support hosting critical digital assets and help cultivate a broader AI ecosystem that includes research, enterprise and public sector applications.

The initial developments will serve as a model for future phases as capacity grows towards the 1GW objective.