Saudi Aramco Acquires 49% Stake in HUMAIN
Saudi Aramco has completed a $2.6 billion deal to acquire a 49% stake in Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence company HUMAIN, advancing the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global AI infrastructure hub.
The transaction, announced on November 1, 2026, gives Aramco a substantial minority interest in HUMAIN, while the Public Investment Fund (PIF) retains its 51% majority stake. Aramco is contributing approximately SAR 9.9 billion ($2.6 billion) in cash during 2026, alongside AI, computing, and digital assets.
The completed deal formalises an agreement first outlined in a non-binding term sheet PIF and Aramco signed in October 2025. It brings their AI investments, technical capabilities and talent together under HUMAIN to accelerate the company’s regional and international expansion.
HUMAIN Targets 3GW of AI Data Centre Capacity
Launched in May 2025, HUMAIN is developing an integrated AI ecosystem covering four main areas: next-generation data centres, high-performance computing infrastructure, cloud platforms and advanced AI models.
Its portfolio includes ALLaM, a multimodal Arabic large language model designed to support Arabic-language AI applications.
Furthermore, HUMAIN plans to deploy 3 gigawatts of AI data centre capacity by 2030. The expansion aims to meet growing demand for computing infrastructure across regional and international markets.
Aramco to Expand Industrial AI Applications
The partnership is expected to strengthen Aramco’s use of artificial intelligence across its energy and industrial operations. The company plans to use HUMAIN’s computing infrastructure and AI services to develop applications that improve operational performance.
Moreover, the investment creates opportunities to commercialise Aramco’s existing digital technologies and AI assets. Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said the company has generated $11.3 billion in Technology Realised Value since 2023, with AI solutions contributing significantly.
The partnership also supports Aramco’s efforts to expand its technology capabilities beyond traditional energy operations. As a result, AI could become a more important part of its industrial services and business strategy.
PIF and Aramco Strengthen Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions
For PIF, the transaction aligns with its 2026–2030 strategy to strengthen economic ecosystems, expand private-sector participation and develop Saudi companies into globally competitive businesses.
PIF Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments Yazeed A. Al-Humied said combining the two organisations’ AI portfolios under HUMAIN would support talent development, technological advancement and intellectual property creation.
The partnership also supports Saudi Arabia’s wider economic diversification agenda under Vision 2030. By combining investment capital, computing infrastructure and industrial expertise, the Kingdom aims to attract international technology companies and strengthen its position in the global AI market.
With Aramco holding 49% and PIF retaining 51%, HUMAIN will operate with both organisations contributing resources to its expansion. Its planned 3GW data centre capacity by 2030 represents a significant part of Saudi Arabia’s longer-term AI infrastructure ambitions.
