A new artificial intelligence (AI) hub, developed through a partnership between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Google Cloud, is set to launch near Dammam in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. This initiative, announced at the Future Investment Initiative (FII8), aims to position Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global AI landscape.
Expected to enhance the country's GDP by approximately $71 billion over the next eight years, the hub will feature advanced computing capabilities tailored by Google Cloud technology. This infrastructure is designed to meet the rising demand for AI solutions across various sectors.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, emphasized the significance of this partnership in fostering an AI-friendly environment, stating, 'We are delighted to welcome this new Google Cloud AI hub to Saudi Arabia.' He highlighted the importance of investing in human capital and technology to achieve sustainable and innovative infrastructure goals.
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, noted that this collaboration will facilitate the adoption of AI in local languages and across industries such as healthcare and finance, creating skilled jobs for Saudis and opportunities for global businesses.