PIF and Google Cloud announced a new partnership to develop a global AI hub in Saudi Arabia

Google Cloud and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) have launched a new collaboration to build a worldwide artificial intelligence (AI) hub in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, close to Dammam. The project, which was officially announced during the Future Investment Initiative's eighth edition, intends to improve local digital skills and solidify Saudi Arabia's standing as a major player in the AI sector. 

The collaboration will concentrate on developing specialized AI applications, such as Arabic language models that are suited to the particular requirements of the area. Millions of professionals and students are anticipated to receive training and upskilling from the AI hub, helping Saudi Arabia achieve its 50% ICT sector expansion target. Google Cloud's artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be available to companies in a variety of sectors to boost operations and service quality.

The incorporation of Google Cloud's cutting-edge technology, such as the newest tensor processing units (TPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs), is a key component of this collaboration. High-performance AI applications will be supported by these resources, especially via the Vertex AI platform, which is intended for creating generative AI solutions. 

The AI hub could boost Saudi Arabia's GDP by an estimated $71 billion over the next eight years, per early research commissioned by Google Cloud. The economic impact is anticipated to boost growth in industries like healthcare, banking, and retail and generate thousands of high-skilled jobs nationwide. 

The Internet of Things, cybersecurity, and telecommunications projects are all a part of PIF's larger investment in Saudi Arabia's technology ecosystem. The new AI hub further integrates Saudi Arabia with Google's global network by expanding on Google Cloud's current infrastructure in the area, which includes a data center opened in Dammam last year.