As the 2030 Vision reform framework led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman continues to advance, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has officially launched a $2.7 billion digital infrastructure construction plan - to build a super large government data center called Hexagon in Riyadh. This project is not only the core project of Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision digital transformation strategy, but also targets the throne of the world's largest government data center.

The hardcore strength of the world's largest government data center

In terms of size, the scale of Hexagon data centers is remarkable. The project is located in Riyadh, with a total area of over 30 million square feet and an installed capacity of up to 480 megawatts. After completion, Saudi Arabia's position in the global digital infrastructure field will significantly rise and become a world leader.

More noteworthy is that the project is fully integrated into the 2030 Vision reform framework led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, which is highly aligned with the strategic goals of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). As a Tier IV project with the highest reliability standards for international data centers, Hexagon Data Centers have a dual mission: to provide solid support for the rapid expansion of digital services in the public sector, and to accelerate Saudi Arabia's transition to a data-driven economy, helping the country achieve long-term strategic layout of economic diversification and reduce dependence on oil.

The dual harvest of economic benefits and green development

The economic benefits of this project are equally impressive. According to official estimates, the relevant data infrastructure network is expected to bring cumulative economic benefits of over 10 billion Saudi riyals (approximately 2.67 billion US dollars), while saving Saudi Arabia 1.8 billion riyals (approximately 480 million US dollars) in fiscal expenditure annually, effectively promoting non oil economic growth and improving public service efficiency.

In the current global consensus on sustainable development, Hexagon data centers are the green benchmark. The project adopts world leading energy-saving and intelligent cooling technologies such as direct liquid cooling and hybrid cooling, integrates renewable energy solutions, has obtained LEED Gold certification, and has passed multiple international certifications such as TIA-942 engineering standard, ISO/IEC 22237, and Tier IV, achieving 99.995% operational availability. After completion, the Hexagon data center is expected to reduce approximately 30000 tons of carbon emissions annually, support over 290 government systems, and provide a critical foundational platform for the widespread application of artificial intelligence and digital technology in both public and private sectors.

Comprehensive layout of artificial intelligence strategy

Not only in data centers, Saudi Arabia's layout in the field of artificial intelligence has extended to the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain. As the core operator of Saudi Arabia's national data and artificial intelligence strategy, SDAIA has been promoting the construction of the most advanced comprehensive data ecosystem in the region since its establishment in 2019. It has also developed a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, such as the Personal Data Protection Law and generative artificial intelligence standards, to comprehensively benchmark international best practices.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has shown remarkable performance in the fields of digital governance and artificial intelligence, not only ranking first in the global artificial intelligence index's government strategic ranking, but also becoming a leader in the global digital infrastructure wave with its forward-looking layout. The Humain company, established with the support of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and Saudi Aramco, is fully committed to promoting the construction of national artificial intelligence capabilities, helping Saudi Arabia rank among the top three in global artificial intelligence infrastructure, and competing with the United States and China on the same stage.

In the current era where generative artificial intelligence is driving a surge in computing power demand, Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure game will undoubtedly inject strong momentum into its 2030 vision and write a significant chapter in the development of the global digital economy. The Hexagon data center will become the fundamental node of the national interconnected data infrastructure network, providing a key foundational platform for the widespread application of artificial intelligence and digital technology in both public and private sectors, marking Saudi Arabia's transition from a traditional oil economy to a digital future.Editor/Yang Meiling