Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 4, Saudi Arabia’s state-backed AI company Humain has partnered with AirTrunk, the Asia-Pacific data centre operator owned by Blackstone, to invest $3 billion in a hyperscale data centre campus in the Kingdom, marking AirTrunk’s first expansion into the Middle East.

Riyadh skyline. The venture is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to position itself as a global digital hub and diversify its economy away from oil

The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to become a global digital hub and diversify its economy beyond oil. The project combines Humain’s AI expertise and local mandate with AirTrunk’s experience in developing and operating large-scale facilities for cloud and technology clients.

Humain Chief Executive Tareq Amin said: “The project will create scalable, secure and sustainable infrastructure to support the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing in the region.”

Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, has been increasing investments in digital infrastructure to meet rising AI computing demand. Blackstone Chairman and CEO Stephen Schwarzman stated: “This initiative will help power the next era of innovation in the Middle East” and reflects Blackstone’s belief that AI remains a transformative global investment theme.

Humain and AirTrunk plan to finance, build, and operate a network of next-generation data centres across Saudi Arabia, while developing local technical expertise to support the country’s long-term digital ambitions. Humain is building full-stack AI capabilities, including advanced data centres, high-performance infrastructure, Arabic large language models, and applied AI solutions.

Saudi Arabia’s data centre market is expanding rapidly due to rising cloud adoption, AI demand, and large-scale smart city projects such as Neom. Industry estimates value the sector at around $2.1 billion in 2025, projected to nearly double to $3.9 billion by 2030.

Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, described the partnership as a “strategic entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing digital regions” and said it will support Saudi Arabia’s goal to become a data- and AI-driven economy.

The collaboration highlights the Kingdom’s focus on digital infrastructure, workforce development, and technological self-reliance, providing a foundation for AI deployment, cloud computing, and regional innovation. The campus is expected to create jobs, enhance technical skills, and attract further investment into the Saudi digital ecosystem.

By combining Humain’s local knowledge and AirTrunk’s operational expertise, the venture aims to deliver high-performance, resilient, and sustainable facilities capable of supporting next-generation AI applications. The project underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in scaling infrastructure to meet the growing demands of emerging AI and cloud technologies in the Middle East.

Overall, the $3 billion investment marks a major milestone for Saudi Arabia’s digital economy and positions the Kingdom as a regional leader in AI and cloud infrastructure.