New partnership supports sovereign AI in Saudi Arabia

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Data Centres & Networks; 02 July 2026; 336 views

A new partnership has been announced that will build sovereign AI data centre infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

To undertake this work, Magna AI, a global integrated-value-chain sovereign AI transformation company established through a partnership between Trend Micro and Wistron Digital Technology Holding Company (WDH) and powered by Nvidia, has announced a strategic collaboration with Emaar Executive Company (EEC), a Saudi-based company specialising in data centre construction, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), systems integration, and infrastructure services.

The partners explain that, as Saudi Arabia continues to advance its national digital transformation agenda, the need for trusted AI infrastructure is becoming increasingly central to the Kingdom's long-term competitiveness. For both nations and organisations, AI sovereignty means keeping data, models and the value they generate under local control rather than dependent on platforms owned elsewhere.

They add that sovereign AI data centres and AI factories are expected to play a critical role in enabling organisations to train, fine-tune, deploy and operate advanced AI models while maintaining control over data, workloads, governance and compliance.

As part of the agreement, Magna AI will lead AI factory architecture, platform development, and AI security and governance, while Emaar Executive Company will deliver the engineering and construction backbone, including EPC execution, data centre construction, civil, mechanical, electrical and low-voltage systems integration, on-site project management, facility support, and regulatory coordination. EEC says its capabilities are supported by ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications and a dedicated in-Kingdom workforce.

Together, the companies aim to support the deployment of secure, scalable, and locally aligned AI infrastructure for government entities, regulated industries, enterprises, startups and academic institutions.

The collaboration is expected to span from the earliest stages of infrastructure development through to long-term operation. This includes site identification, feasibility studies and business-case development; systems integration for AI data centres; energy, cooling and sustainability optimisation; and secure, compliant operations aligned with Saudi data-residency and cybersecurity requirements.