Saudi AI Venture Humain Forges Strategic US Partnership with Global AI in New York December 5, 2025 In a significant move to expand its global footprint, Saudi Arabia's state-backed artificial intelligence venture, Humain, has entered a strategic partnership with US data center operator Global AI. The collaboration, centered on a facility in Endicott, New York, underscores the intensifying global race to secure the high-performance computing infrastructure critical for the next generation of AI. The partnership will see Humain deploy its AI compute capacity within Global AI's existing 32-megawatt, liquid-cooled data center in Endicott. The site, which has the potential for expansion up to 100MW, provides Humain with immediate infrastructure access in a key North American market. While the financial scale of the deal remains undisclosed, it represents a concrete step for the Saudi venture, which has announced an ambitious goal to deliver 6.4 gigawatts of data center capacity globally over the next decade through a mix of owned and leased facilities. Humain's CEO, Tareq Amin, framed the partnership as part of a broader national strategy. "I believe Saudi Arabia is firmly on track to become the third pillar of global AI infrastructure," Amin stated. "Our commitment towards developing compute capacity in the US secures Humain and Global AI a strategic foothold. This integrated presence gives us the strength and scale to fuel the future of global AI innovation." The Endicott facility itself carries notable heritage and technical claims. Originally built by IBM in a village considered the company's birthplace, the campus at 1701 North Street is now operated by Global AI, which asserts it hosts the largest cluster of Nvidia's advanced GB300 systems in New York State. Global AI's leadership has deep roots in the industry; its co-founder, John E. Kelly III, is the creator of IBM's Watson and spent nearly four decades at the firm, while CEO Sami Issa previously founded a joint venture between Mubadala and IBM. Issa emphasized the transformative potential of the alliance. "Our partnership with Humain reflects a shared commitment to harnessing the first wave of non-biological intelligence," he said. "Together, we are building the foundation for nations to lead, innovate, and define their AI future. This historic collaboration positions us at the forefront of the global AI revolution." The deal highlights a growing trend of cross-border investments and partnerships in the data center sector, driven by sovereign ambitions in AI and acute demand for power-dense computing. For Saudi Arabia, it marks a strategic entry into the competitive US market, while for Global AI, it aligns with a major, well-capitalized partner aiming to scale rapidly. Source: datacenterdynamics
Saudi AI Venture Humain Forges Strategic US Partnership with Global AI in New York
