KSA Partners with IBM, Lenovo, and Tencent Cloud to Solidify Vision 2030
The KSA AI landscape began to take shape at LEAP 2025, with IBM and Lenovo announcing plans of expansion to their AI partnership to deliver AI solutions fueled by IBM’s watsonx and KSA’s language model (ALLaM), while Tencent Cloud launched its first Middle East Cloud Region in the Kingdom, featuring advanced AI and cloud services, set to go live in 2025.
The Saudi Arabia AI investment has forged an IBM-Lenovo collaboration that will focus on generative AI applications, including fraud detection, public safety, and IT operations by using the Kingdom’s open-source ALLaM model
In parallel, Tencent Cloud’s new infrastructure, with two fully redundant availability zones, will integrate the Kingdom into its global network of over 50 zones and will offer software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) solutions.
The heavy KSA AI investments, alongside IBM, Lenovo, and Tencent Cloud’s efforts go hand in hand with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aspirations to turn Saudi into an AI and cloud hub by nurturing partnerships with Western and Chinese technology giants.
With IBM and Lenovo and advancing generative AI capabilities Tencent Cloud expanding its presence, Saudi Arabia could very well be on its way to becoming a leader in AI innovation and enterprise modernization in the Middle East, competing with its neighboring Emirates.
IBM and Lenovo Expand AI Collaboration
IBM and Lenovo are partnering in the KSA to scale generative AI solutions in Saudi Arabia AI. Building on their 20-year relationship, the deal combines IBM’s watsonx AI with Lenovo’s cloud and on-premises infrastructure, powered by the (SDAIA) ALLaM.
“Today’s announcement represents an important step in the longstanding relationship between IBM and Lenovo,” said Giovanni Di Filippo, President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Infrastructure Solutions Group at Lenovo.
“We’re pleased to deepen our partnership to bring IBM’s fit-for-purpose generative AI offerings together with Lenovo’s infrastructure solutions.”
The partnership will help government agencies and businesses optimize public services, fraud detection, IT operations optimization, and software development modernization. IBM’s Regional Vice President for Saudi Arabia, Ayman AlRashed, praised the partnership, expressing, “Together, we will drive even greater value for our mutual clients in the Kingdom.”
Tencent Cloud Service in KSA
In yet another effort to uplift the Kingdom’s intelligent ecosystem, Chinese giant Tencent Cloud could be one of the main cloud service providers in KSA and will also be benefiting from the Saudi Arabia investment in AI, revealing its first Middle East Cloud Region in the country.
Set to launch in 2025, Tencent Cloud’s Middle East Cloud Region will feature two availability zones with full AI-driven capabilities. The expansion will integrate the Kingdom into Tencent’s global network of over 50 zones across 21 regions, to deliver SaaS and PaaS solutions, such as AI, digital media, and super app technologies.
“Tencent Cloud’s Saudi region will become operational by 2025. We will see it this year,” Dan Hu, vice president of Tencent Cloud International for the Middle East and North Africa, said in an interview with Arab News at the LEAP conference in Riyadh.
“Our data center will be operational by the end of this year. We are still trying to build up our local teams and to build up our local ecosystem, our suppliers and our customers, our system integrators, and our ecosystem partners,” Hu added.
Mohammed Alrobayan, the Deputy Minister for Technology stated that “ “Tencent Cloud’s decision to launch its first cloud region in Saudi Arabia represents a significant milestone for digital transformation in the Middle East.”
Alliances Supporting KSA’s Vision 2030
These tech developments highlight the Kingdom’s unhinged commitment to its KSA AI aspirations and cloud computing.
IBM and Lenovo are driving generative AI adoption, while Tencent Cloud’s investment could position the Kingdom as a regional leader.
Together, these initiatives align with the Kingdom’s goals for Vision 2030, keeping Saudi Arabia at the forefront of global digital transformation. More importantly, they show Saudi Arabia isn’t just adopting technology but actively shaping its own future through this adoption.
If these initiatives succeed, the Kingdom could transition from a regional powerhouse to a true global leader in AI and digital infrastructure.
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