Saudi Arabia‑backed artificial‑intelligence company Humain announced a partnership with digital‑infrastructure firm DataVolt to develop the first phase of a 100‑megawatt data center at Oxagon, the flagship industrial city being built within the NEOM megaproject on the Red Sea coast.
Project scope and timeline
The facility, part of a broader 360‑megawatt first‑phase campus, is expected to be operational by 2028. It will draw on renewable‑energy sources, employ innovative cooling technologies, and host high‑performance computing clusters designed for AI workloads.
Strategic advantages
Oxagon offers pre‑zoned industrial land, large‑scale energy resources, and low‑latency connectivity via subsea cables. These factors are intended to give the new campus a competitive edge in the rapidly expanding global demand for AI‑driven computing power.
Humain’s growth ambitions
Founded last year and funded by the Public Investment Fund, Humain has already secured agreements with several global technology firms. The company aims to reach 6 gigawatts of capacity by 2034, positioning Saudi Arabia as a major player in the AI infrastructure market.
Saudi Arabia’s broader economic shift
The data‑center project aligns with the kingdom’s multi‑trillion‑dollar effort to diversify its economy away from oil dependence. Investments are flowing into AI, renewable‑energy manufacturing, and high‑tech industries as part of Vision 2030’s goal to create a knowledge‑based economy.
NEOM and Oxagon context
NEOM was unveiled a decade ago as a futuristic urban development. While the overall plan has faced cost‑overrun challenges and adjustments due to fluctuating oil prices, the Oxagon sector remains a focal point for renewable‑energy manufacturing and AI‑driven industries. Authorities also view the nearby port as a key node in a faster regional trading corridor, especially given ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
By integrating renewable energy and cutting‑edge cooling, the Humain‑DataVolt partnership seeks to set a benchmark for sustainable, high‑performance AI infrastructure in the Middle East and beyond.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
