Through its long-term strategic vision, Riyadh is benefiting from the development of its strategic sectors, namely advanced technologies. International cooperation enables faster progress, knowledge exchange, and increased competitiveness, and contributes to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position regionally and beyond. Along with the recently signed civilian nuclear deal with the United States, these are key defining moments for the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
In light of the persistent instability in the Middle East, regional states continue to pursue their ambitious objectives with determination. The Arab Gulf states have prioritized strategic sectors of the economy, recognizing their considerable potential. This goes hand in hand with strengthening the status of the regional middle power, which also brings greater responsibility and leverage.
It is no wonder that possessing strategic resources constitutes a significant competitive advantage in the market. The modern world increasingly revolves around access to advanced technologies, today’s driving factor of global transformations. This also applies to their use in the military sector and in the production of advanced equipment, which represents a source of pride for their manufacturers while simultaneously posing a challenge to other competing entities.
These processes can be observed in the Gulf, whose significance in the context of AI has risen within a relatively short period of time. In this context, it is important to examine the recent efforts of Saudi Arabia, which is enhancing its high-tech potential through domestic companies and international partnerships. Furthermore, recent negotiations with the United States regarding the development of a civilian nuclear program by Riyadh have attracted considerable attention. The main question of the analysis is how Saudi’s AI and nuclear ambitions affect the regional dynamics.
Leap Towards AI Leadership?
The aspirations of Saudi authorities in the field of advanced technologies have been reflected in the dynamic development of an ecosystem following the landmark Vision 2030, which helps achieve the main goals. In 2019, the Kingdom established the main body, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), comprising three sub-entities – the National Information Center (NIC), the National Center for AI (NCAI), and the National Data Management Office (NDMO). A year later, the main strategy was launched – the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI).
The structure itself involves multiple bodies responsible for specific areas, ranging from overseeing communication and information technology, investments, establishing digital government policy and standards, to cybersecurity. The policy is complemented by government entities and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the world’s 8th largest sovereign wealth fund, which have established joint ventures with state-owned enterprises and private-sector companies.
Among the pioneering state entities advancing AI development are Alat and HUMAIN, launched in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The former offers a wide range of products and solutions, including the integration of clean energy into manufacturing processes, with the main aim of establishing a top-tier manufacturing hub in Saudi Arabia. Likewise, the AI company HUMAIN aims to develop and manage advanced AI technologies and infrastructure. Its activities mainly focus on building data centers across the country, cloud platforms, and creating Arabic-native AI models, adjusted to the region. The company has also established international partnerships with some of the largest technology companies, such as American NVIDIA and AMD.
In the world rankings assessing the states’ development in AI, innovations, AI awareness, and AI talent pool growth, Saudi Arabia has made significant progress. In 2024, the Kingdom ranked 14th in the Global AI Index and 1st in the Arab world, marking a noticeable increase. According to the Saudi Press Agency, a report by the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence states that Riyadh topped the rankings in AI security, privacy, and cryptography, as well as women’s empowerment. These achievements are accompanied by being ranked 3rd worldwide in attracting talent and in students’ adoption of generative AI in their studies. Saudi Arabia is also progressively implementing infrastructure projects; among the most important are the Hexagon Data Center, the largest government data center globally at 480 megawatts, and Shaheen III, claimed to be the most powerful supercomputer in the Middle East.
The key moment for Saudi Arabia was the launch of the Strategic Artificial Intelligence Partnership with the United States in November 2025. This took place during the official visit of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman to Washington that also coincided with another key event – the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, which brought together ministers and business leaders. Unlike the UAE and Qatar, the Kingdom is not a part of the U.S.-led Pax Silicainitiative. Following the joint statement, the partnership still reflects a commitment to advance innovation and technological progress, pursuing a long-term, comprehensive economic security partnership to deepen shared security commitments and foster economic prosperity, utilizing advanced and future technologies for the mutual benefit of our two great countries. Given that the framework comprises bilateral cooperation mainly in semiconductor advancement, infrastructure, and AI applications development and investment, it appears that there might not be much difference from that of Pax Silica, to which the Gulf states belong. Shortly after the U.S. and Saudi leaders’ meeting, NVIDIA shipped GPU chips to HUMAIN, following previous negotiations in May last year.
Interestingly, Canada has recently concluded a series of agreements with Saudi Arabia, including a Memorandum of Understanding in artificial intelligence. In July, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah. Both parties shared an interest in expanding cooperation in AI development, deployment, and commercialization. One of the key companies involved is HUMAIN, which, in partnership with the Canadian entity Cohere, will launch joint initiatives to develop AI infrastructure for the next generation of advanced AI models.
Civilian Nuclear Program in Saudi Arabia
At the end of July, Saudi and American representatives signed a 30-year “Agreement for Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.” The negotiations had already taken place earlier, and the initial document “Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation” was signed in November 2025. After years of discussions, both states are on a path to commence developing a nuclear energy program in Saudi Arabia, which would lead to achieving a more diversified energy mix.
In his remarks, Chris Wright, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, stressed that, “rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States. Thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is underway and will deliver long-term benefits to the American and Saudi people.” Saudi Press Agency reports that the cooperation will include the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and technologies in line with international standards. Therefore, the agreement implies that the U.S. is the main actor with whom the Kingdom will develop its nuclear program. Reuters reports that the deal has been passed to the U.S. Congress for a review before entering into force.
However, this decision has also raised discussions about the potential uranium enrichment by Saudi Arabia, which – according to the opinion of experts – could also lead to the creation of nuclear weapons. The UAE is the first country in the Arab world to have introduced a nuclear energy program, in line with the “123 Agreement” signed with the U.S. in 2009. In line with international safety regulations and standards, the country renounced domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing. The Barakah nuclear power plant, designed and built in cooperation with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), currently supplies 25% of the country’s total electricity demand. It should be noted that Egypt has also been working on its nuclear power plant – with Russia – and the facility is expected to become fully operational by 2030.
According to recent reports, President Donald Trump is also considering linking the peaceful nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia’s joining the Abraham Accords. Although it is unfeasible to predict what measures will be undertaken in this regard, this factor will be crucial in assessing prospects for further cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. on the nuclear program, as well as the shape of the Abraham Accords and relations with Israel.
Outlook
Strengthening national capabilities contributes to Riyadh’s power and building a stronger position in the Middle East. The investment in the advanced technologies sector and the recent peaceful nuclear deal reflect Saudi Arabia’s ambitions and future-oriented approach. One should note that the UAE is pursuing a similar path, except for the nuclear energy program, which has already been completed. The development of AI has advanced to a new level, which may further intensify the race for a competitive advantage in the advanced technology sector.
From a broader perspective, Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with the United States – as well as the rest of the Arab Gulf states – demonstrates the importance of its relationship in the field of artificial intelligence. The U.S. allies gain access to know-how and adopt advanced solutions that enhance their domestic industrial base. Concurrently, this translates into a stronger position for monarchies, which constitutes an advantage and reinforces their international standing. It also applies to the U.S., whose position is being strengthened vis-a-vis global rivals.
However, for the Arab Gulf states, it is also evident how important the diversification of strategic partnerships is, as demonstrated by the recently concluded agreement with Canada. Behind all these efforts, a certain level of trust is still required, which – as has been shown during the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel and Iran – at the security level has been breached. Engaging in cooperation with strategically important states constitutes a key asset in facilitating investments, the exchange of know-how, and access to broader markets.
Regarding the development of civilian nuclear programs, the number of states acquiring such capabilities is gradually increasing, which, given the sensitive nature of this issue, requires a cautious approach. Back in 2018, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman stated that if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia would follow suit. The nuclear issue itself may lead to a regional imbalance of power, and, amid the current geopolitical turbulence, it could evolve into a dangerous form, something that regional actors would certainly seek to avoid, both during the war and once it is over.
Taken together, the nuclear energy agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States and the technological advancement in the Middle East mark another significant moment in shaping the regional geopolitical landscape.
