Gulf AI Goes Abroad: Saudi GPUs, UAE in Greece, Qatar's Centre
Four Gulf states made AI moves in five days, and most of them point outward. Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN widened its NVIDIA plan to up to 84 megawatts, the UAE's G42 signed deals in Greece, Qatar created a National Center for AI, and Oman reportedly signed a £1bn data centre agreement with a UK-founded developer. Most figures are plans, not capacity in service.
Key takeaways
- HUMAIN and NVIDIA announced up to 84 MW and about 27,000 GPUs for Saudi Arabia at GTC Berlin on 22 October; the Vera Rubin phases are still subject to final agreements [1][2].
- G42 and five group companies signed memoranda of understanding in Athens covering an AI factory, government services and life sciences; no amounts were disclosed [3][4].
- Qatar's Amir ratified a Cabinet decision creating a National Center for AI inside the communications ministry [5][6].
- Oman's Salalah project is a plan, not operating capacity, and no megawatt figure has been published [8][9].
Saudi Arabia: more chips, and some for a US client
HUMAIN, the Saudi AI company owned by the Public Investment Fund, said it will add up to 84 MW of AI computing with about 27,000 NVIDIA GPUs [1]. The first phase is 14 MW of Blackwell HGX B300 systems, about 6,000 GPUs, from the fourth quarter of 2026 [1][2]. The second is 70 MW of Vera Rubin systems, about 21,000 GPUs, from mid-2027 [1][2].
Of that second phase, 50 MW is for an unnamed US client and 20 MW for HUMAIN Cloud, according to The National and Middle East AI News [1][2]. Both companies say the Vera Rubin projects remain subject to final agreements and deployment plans [1]. No value or financing was given [1].
Scale matters here. HUMAIN's stated goal is about 3 GW by 2030, so 84 MW is roughly 3% of it (our arithmetic from reported figures) [1][2]. The National notes that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE depend on US export approvals for advanced chips, and names no licence for this deal [1]. For wider power and grid limits on data centres, see our 18 October explainer.
UAE: G42 takes its model to Greece
On 23 October G42 announced agreements with Greek partners during a UAE trade visit to Athens [3][4]. Khazna Data Centers and Core42 will explore an AI factory with Copelouzos Group; Presight and Inception42 will work with Greece's digital governance ministry on city analytics and government AI tools; and M42 will work with Athens LifeTech Park on genomics [3][4].
These are memoranda of understanding. G42 says scope and timelines come later, subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approvals, and the reports give no investment figure, site or capacity [3][4]. The projects are to follow EU rules [4]. For other UAE money flowing outward, see our 23 October weekly wrap.
Qatar and Oman: institutions and real estate
Qatar published Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2026, ratified by the Amir, which creates a National Center for AI within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, reporting to the minister [5][6][7]. According to Middle East AI News, it will prepare the national AI strategy, develop policy and regulatory frameworks and support adoption, with a separate training department [7]. The official gazette portal and the minister's statement confirm the decision, not this detailed remit [5][6].
In Oman, the UK government said on 21 October that Yamna, a UK-founded developer, was set to sign a deal for a large AI data centre in Salalah, with a first phase above £1bn and more than 100 UK jobs [8]. The Oman Observer reported the deal sealed on 24 October, and cautioned that it is a plan, with power, connectivity, financing and customer demand still to be secured [9].
The global picture: hosting, hedging and blocs
The four moves differ. Saudi Arabia hosts compute, partly for a US customer; the UAE exports services into the EU; Qatar builds a policy body; Oman courts a foreign developer.
The Associated Press reported on 25 October that the US and China are forming rival AI blocs, and that experts think other countries' freedom to stay out of both may be narrowing. It says HUMAIN unveiled in September a platform built on an open model from a Chinese AI company, and that the kingdom also has an NVIDIA deal [10]. Bloomberg's headline on 3 September named the model as MiniMax's; we could not open that article, so we treat the name as reported by Bloomberg [11].
AP lists Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Russia among 29 founders of China-inspired WAICO, and names no Gulf member of it [10]. Two Gulf states are already in the US-led Pax Silica group: Qatar signed its declaration on 12 January 2026 and the UAE days later, according to The New Arab; DCD had reported beforehand that both were due to sign [12][13].
What to watch next
- Saudi Arabia: final agreements for the Vera Rubin phases and the identity of the US client [1].
- UAE and Greece: whether any MoU becomes a binding agreement, with a site, capacity and amount [3].
- Qatar: the first strategy or regulatory document from the new centre [7].
- Oman: megawatts, power source and customers for Salalah [9].
Our take
Our analysis: the story is less about who has the most chips and more about who becomes the host, the exporter or the rule-maker. Hosting for a US client, joining Pax Silica and building on a Chinese open model in the same year suggests Gulf states want options with both camps. Such options depend on export approvals that neither Riyadh nor Abu Dhabi controls.
FAQ
How much AI capacity is HUMAIN adding? Up to 84 MW and about 27,000 NVIDIA GPUs, in two phases; the 70 MW Vera Rubin portion awaits final agreements [1].
Is G42's Greek AI factory approved? No. G42 describes the AI factory as an exploration under MoUs, with no amounts or site disclosed [3][4].
What will Qatar's National AI Center do? Per Middle East AI News: prepare the national AI strategy, develop regulatory frameworks and support adoption, reporting to the communications minister [7].
Sources
- Saudi Arabia's Humain expands Nvidia deal with 84MW AI computing plan, The National, 22 October 2026.
- HUMAIN plans 27,000 NVIDIA GPUs across 84MW, Middle East AI News, 22 October 2026 (based on HUMAIN's release).
- G42 signs strategic agreement to explore AI infrastructure and applications in Greece, G42, 23 October 2026. Primary.
- Abu Dhabi's G42 plans AI factory in Greece as UAE-Greece ties deepen, Khaleej Times, 23 October 2026.
- Official Gazette publishes the Amir's endorsement of the Cabinet decision, Hukoomi (Qatar government portal), October 2026. Primary.
- Amir ratifies decision to organise certain administrative units at MCIT, Qatar Tribune, 19 October 2026 (carries the minister's statement).
- Qatar to create National Center for AI to drive AI strategy, Middle East AI News, 20 October 2026.
- Major investment to drive growth and jobs across Britain as Sultan of Oman visits UK, UK Government (FCDO), 21 October 2026. Primary.
- Oman, UK seal deal for £1bn AI data centre in Salalah, Oman Observer, 24 October 2026.
- As the US and China form AI blocs, countries are increasingly torn between them, Associated Press, 25 October 2026.
- Saudi AI Firm Humain Unveils Model Based on China's MiniMax, Bloomberg, 3 September 2026 (headline only; page blocks automated readers).
- What is Pax Silica and why Qatar, UAE joined the US-led alliance, The New Arab, 23 January 2026.
- Qatar and UAE to sign up to US-led Pax Silica initiative in coming days, DCD, January 2026.
AI Worldwire is independent and has no commercial relationship with the companies covered, unless stated. Research and drafting are assisted by AI; every article is reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. This is analysis, not investment advice. Subscribe to the AI Worldwire newsletter. Last updated: 25 October 2026.