AI infrastructure pacts from the US-Saudi Investment Forum continued to pour in late last week, as the Kingdom pushes ahead in its ambition of becoming a regional and global AI hub. The agreements came on the back of USD 267 bn in new agreements with major US companies signed during the forum, featuring everything from AI and telecom to transportation and defense.

#1- The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (Sdaia) signed a flurry of agreements with major US tech companies focused on data infrastructure, as well as expanding AI use in the Kingdom, it said in several posts on X.

The agreements include:

  • An agreement with Supermicro covering server solutions, data center design, AI events, and training and e-learning programs to build local skills;
  • An agreement with Dell Technologies to support AI adoption through improved infrastructure, knowledge transfer, and national training initiatives;
  • An agreement with Cisco Systems to develop scalable, AI-ready data center environments and support digital transformation in the public sector;
  • An agreement with Boomi Software to help develop AI data centers using Boomi technology and expand knowledge-sharing programs.

#2- Microsoft is looking to offer its sovereign-cloud services in the Kingdom, after signing a non-binding MoU with the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Information Technology Company (Site), according to a statement from Microsoft. The partnership aims to study how Microsoft’s cloud model can support the Kingdom’s data security, compliance, and local storage priorities, as well as collaborate on research, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

#3- Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication (Go Telecom) launched an AI platform in Silicon Valley, CEO Yahya Al Mansour told Asharq Business (watch, runtime: 3:57). The company is also building AI infrastructure through its Go Cloud platform to run AI models and has set up Go Cyber to provide security solutions across several sectors, he added. Additionally, the company signed 43 agreements with US-based AI firms, enabling them to offer their products and services in the Saudi market.

ON ANOTHER NOTE- Solutions secures data center hosting services from sister company: Arabian Internet andCommunications Services Company (Solutions by STC) signed a SAR 261.9 mn, five-year contract with Center3, an stc digital infrastructure subsidiary, to receive data center hosting services across several locations in the Kingdom, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul. The agreement will help Solutions support its cloud services and improve operational readiness.

ICYMI- Solutions sealed a SAR 313.4 mn, three-year contract with stc in September to establish stc’s internal internet and communication networks, including upgrading stc’s network infrastructure to support 5G growth, expanding network capacity, replacing old hardware, and establishing internet infrastructure in stc’s data centers.

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