Cisco has entered a multi-year partnership with Saudi Arabia to support its HUMAIN initiative, marking a significant step in the country’s bid to become a global AI leader. The partnership, announced Tuesday, focuses on building the world’s most open, scalable, and cost-effective AI infrastructure—positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of digital innovation.
The announcement came just hours after President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh, where he signed $300 billion in investment agreements with the Saudi government, aiming to double that figure within four years. Cisco’s Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel was part of the U.S. delegation, and CEO Chuck Robbins has also held previous meetings with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Cisco said the collaboration with HUMAIN builds on more than two decades of support for Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. As part of the deal, the company will help drive research, talent development, and AI-powered innovation, while strengthening the region’s digital infrastructure.
AI Expansion in the Middle East and Global Infrastructure Investment
Alongside its Saudi partnership, Cisco also unveiled a new slate of AI-focused strategies across the Middle East. That includes an expanded collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based G42 to accelerate AI research and deployment across the UAE and the United States.
In a broader move, Cisco also announced plans to work with AIP to drive global investments in AI infrastructure and data center development—not just in the Gulf, but also in the U.S. and other regions. These initiatives follow CEO Robbins’ recent meetings with government leaders in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Bahrain, signaling Cisco’s increasing footprint in the region’s rapidly evolving AI landscape.
“The Gulf region’s AI revolution is truly impressive, and Cisco is proud to play a key role in ensuring it is implemented intelligently, securely, and with trusted partners to drive maximum value for governments, businesses, and consumers,” Robbins said in a statement following his tour.
The strategic alliances underscore Cisco’s vision of playing a foundational role in shaping global AI capabilities, combining infrastructure, security, and digital trust at scale. As Saudi Arabia invests heavily in technology to diversify its economy, partnerships like this one with Cisco are set to be central to that transformation.
