Saudi Arabia is reportedly developing a plan for an AI initiative called “Project Transcendence.”

Anonymous sources claim the project may involve an investment of up to US$100 billion and aims to establish a technological hub challenging the United Arab Emirates’ regional role.

The initiative is expected to focus on infrastructure development, data centers, startup investments, and talent acquisition to strengthen the local AI sector.

Its structure could be similar to Alat, a sustainable manufacturing fund backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A current collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Alphabet Inc.’s Google, involving investments between US$5 billion and US$10 billion, might serve as a basis for the new project.

Part of the initiative reportedly emphasizes the development of AI models in the Arabic language.