Amazon Web Services (AWS) is making a major move in the Middle East. The cloud giant has entered a strategic partnership with Humain, the Saudi AI company backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Together, they plan to build a massive “AI Zone” in Saudi Arabia, supported by over $5 billion in new investment.
The AI Zone will host dedicated AWS infrastructure. This includes powerful servers, secure networks, and training programs to support the next wave of AI talent. Humain will develop its products using AWS tools. It will also help Saudi AI startups access cloud resources and expert support.
This deal places AWS among top tech firms like Nvidia and AMD, both of which have also partnered with Humain. All these projects benefit from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). U.S. tech companies, including Google and Salesforce, have increasingly looked to PIF to fund AI expansion.
The announcement came during a U.S.-Saudi investment forum. Former President Donald Trump attended, along with several American tech executives. Under a new Trump-era policy, U.S. suppliers—such as Nvidia and AMD—can now strike deals with Saudi firms more easily. That shift adds geopolitical weight to Amazon’s latest agreement.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is pushing hard for data control. It requires all AI companies operating locally to store data within the kingdom. To comply, vendors must set up in-country facilities—or risk losing contracts. In response, tech firms like Google and Oracle have announced plans to expand in the region.
Amazon had already pledged $5.3 billion to build a new AWS region in Saudi Arabia, set to launch in 2026. However, the Humain partnership is a separate investment. Amazon says the AI Zone commitment is in addition to the earlier pledge. Still, it hasn’t shared if the new funding overlaps with previous plans.
By teaming up with Humain, AWS is doing more than just building data centers. It’s embedding itself in Saudi Arabia’s national AI strategy. The partnership aims to boost local innovation while anchoring Amazon’s long-term role in the region’s tech future.
