Humane CEO, Tariq Amin, said that Saudi Arabia possesses basic components that qualify it to build a global infrastructure for artificial intelligence, in light of the availability of energy sources and the expansion of investments in data centers and advanced computing.
During his participation in a session within the first Servcorp Economic Forum in Riyadh, Amin explained that his previous experience in Aramco revealed to him the challenges of accessing advanced computing capabilities. Pointing out that obtaining graphics processing units (GPU) in one case took about 9 months, while obtaining them in other markets took place within a short time.
He added that this prompted him to think about building an integrated artificial intelligence system in Saudi Arabia, taking advantage of the availability of energy, including gas, oil, wind energy, and solar energy, as one of the basic elements for operating energy-intensive infrastructure.
Amin pointed out that since its founding, Humane has focused on building what he described as “artificial intelligence factories,” by providing computing and energy capabilities, in addition to developing software, models, applications, consulting services, and investing in emerging companies.
He said that working with the Ministry of Energy and other government agencies contributed to accelerating the allocation of land and infrastructure necessary for the project, explaining that about 14 gigawatts of energy capacity had been allocated at the site on which the company was working.
He added that a power station was built “in record time,” with the land handed over to Humane in March, pointing out that the company is working to develop the infrastructure, in parallel with attracting international companies to use it.
Amin stated that “Human” has signed agreements with international companies, including “Amazon,” while work on a joint project with “AMD” is progressing. He also pointed out that other companies have been attracted to work within the artificial intelligence system in Riyadh.
Amin believes that the global demand for artificial intelligence technologies is still less than the actual potential of these technologies, considering that the current focus is largely on generative artificial intelligence and its applications in companies, while its applications in the physical world have not yet been widely explored.
He said, “The physical world needs computing and infrastructure,” expecting the uses of artificial intelligence to expand as these capabilities develop.
He added that within about 15 months, Humane was able to build businesses that include several sectors, considering that integrating artificial intelligence within organizations requires a change in the way of working, and not just adding a new technology.
Amin spoke about Humane’s experience in redesigning internal work mechanisms, explaining that the biggest challenges he faced were not in developing technology, but rather in changing the institutional culture, way of thinking, and improving processes.
He said the company made the decision not to purchase software, and instead to build its systems internally, including intelligent agent-based workflows, systems of record, and some office work applications.
He pointed out that the company sees a future in which traditional applications become less present, as the user determines what he wants to accomplish, while smart models carry out the required actions according to workflows.
Amin stressed that the goal of this transformation is not to lay off employees; Rather, enabling them to perform their jobs more efficiently; Pointing out that one of the company's employees at its site in Saudi Arabia has become able - according to his description - to achieve efficiency equivalent to about one hundred employees in some tasks.
He said that the experience also extended to human resources. Team members began building workflows and intelligent agents themselves, without having to refer to IT management.
About 150 business leaders, investors and policy makers are participating in the first edition of the “Servcorp Economic Forum”, which discusses the transformations affecting the economies of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region, including artificial intelligence, productivity, energy, infrastructure, capital channeling, international trade and future skills.
