Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has introduced HUMAIN Chat, the country’s first Arabic-focused conversational AI application, designed to serve millions of Arabic speakers with technology built to reflect their language, culture, and values. The app was developed by HUMAIN, a company backed by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). At its core is ALLAM 34B, an advanced large language model created entirely in Saudi Arabia. The model has been trained on one of the most comprehensive Arabic datasets ever assembled, making HUMAIN Chat fluent across different dialects such as Gulf, Egyptian, and Levantine. Available on iOS, Android, and web platforms, HUMAIN Chat offers features including real-time web search, voice input in multiple dialects, and seamless switching between Arabic and English. It also allows users to share conversations and ensures data privacy by complying with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), with all information hosted locally in Saudi Arabia. The development involved more than 120 AI specialists, including over 35 PhD holders, with a balanced team composition of men and women. Also Read | Saudi Arabia trials food-delivery robots in Riyadh This effort highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role in the global AI race and its commitment to nurturing homegrown technological expertise. Industry observers see HUMAIN Chat as a response to regional competitors, such as the UAE’s Falcon AI. However, Saudi officials emphasize that HUMAIN Chat distinguishes itself by embedding cultural and ethical values into the AI experience. “This is only the beginning of our journey,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN, underscoring the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as a leader in Arabic artificial intelligence. With its launch, HUMAIN Chat sets a new benchmark in the Middle East’s AI landscape, offering a localized alternative to global platforms while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s technological sovereignty.