As we move through December 2025, the conversation in Saudi Arabia has shifted from “funding” to “Gigawatts.” While the $100 billion Project Transcendence provides the capital, the new joint venture between stc group (via center3) and HUMAIN provides the physical engine.
This partnership is set to turn the Kingdom into the world’s most dense hub for AI compute by the end of 2026.
1. The Powerhouse: The stc-HUMAIN 1GW Partnership
The defining news of late 2025 is the official launch of a Joint Venture (JV) between stc group and the PIF-backed AI champion, HUMAIN.
- Scale of Ambition: The JV is building next-generation infrastructure capable of hosting 1 Gigawatt (GW) of AI workloads. This is equivalent to the power output of a large nuclear reactor, dedicated entirely to AI.
- Phase 1 Readiness: Operations are set to begin in early 2026 with an initial capacity of 250 Megawatts (MW).
- Sovereign High-Density Compute: By combining stc’s connectivity with HUMAIN’s AI stack, the Kingdom is ensuring that the “brains” of regional AI—including advanced Arabic LLMs—remain on local soil with ultra-low latency.
2. Riyadh: The Global AI Event Capital of 2026
With the hardware coming online, Riyadh is hosting the world’s most influential tech gatherings in 2026. If you are tracking the market, these are the key dates:
The Global AI Show (February 9–10, 2026)
Held at Malfa Hall, this event sets the tone for the year with the theme “AI 2031: Accelerating Intelligent Futures.”
- What to expect: Over 10,000 attendees and 250+ speakers focusing on the transition from Generative AI to “Agentic AI” in government and enterprise.
DeepFest & LEAP 2026 (April 13–16, 2026)
DeepFest returns to Malham as the world’s most-attended AI gathering, co-located with the massive LEAP conference.
- The Focus: “Real-world Robotics and Sustainability.” With over 200,000 visitors expected across the week, DeepFest will showcase live demos of AI-integrated urban planning and the “Cognitive Cities” of the future.
The 4th Global AI Summit – GAIN (September 15–17, 2026)
The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has confirmed the return of its flagship summit under the patronage of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- The Mission: This summit is expected to produce the first global frameworks for AI Sovereignty and the ethical deployment of “Physical AI” (AI in robots and infrastructure).
3. The Economic Catalyst: Beyond the Cloud
The 1GW push isn’t just about hosting; it’s about localization. By 2026, this infrastructure will allow:
- SME Access: Local Saudi startups will be able to rent “Sovereign Compute” at rates that compete with global giants, fostering a local “Silicon Oasis.”
- Energy Efficiency: The new data centers are being designed to run on the Kingdom’s expanding solar and wind grids, making Saudi Arabia a leader in Green AI.
Conclusion: The Future is Infrastructure
The transition into 2026 marks a new era for the Middle East. While the world discusses AI regulations, Saudi Arabia is building the physical foundation to lead the industry. Between the stc-HUMAIN mega-partnership and a calendar of world-class summits, the Kingdom is officially open for the 1-Gigawatt era.