Together AI Secures Saudi Data Center Capacity Amid U.S. Resistance

U.S. AI Startup Turns to Saudi Arabia for Infrastructure Growth

San Francisco-based Together AI has secured access to 250 megawatts of data center capacity in Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Humain, the AI company backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The arrangement reflects mounting challenges AI companies face expanding infrastructure within the United States, where local opposition has intensified.

According to details first reported by Gizmodo and the New York Times, the deal positions Together AI to scale operations outside a domestic market increasingly hostile to new data center construction.

Why It Matters

The shift of AI infrastructure to geopolitically sensitive regions introduces strategic vulnerabilities beyond simple capacity constraints. As U.S. communities block local projects, American AI companies may cede technological advantages to international competitors while creating dependencies on foreign infrastructure for critical systems.

Domestic Opposition Reaches Tipping Point

Public resistance to data centers has become a significant barrier. A March 2025 Gallup poll found 48 percent of Americans strongly oppose new data center construction in their communities, compared with just 7 percent who strongly favor it.

Together AI CEO and co-founder Vipul Prakash told the New York Times that "local communities don't want data centers in their backyards, and there are a lot of cancellations and moratoriums, so U.S. capacity is becoming even more constrained."

Community concerns center on electricity demand, water consumption, noise pollution, and strain on local infrastructure. These facilities require enormous energy resources to train and operate large AI models, often putting upward pressure on residential power bills while raising security and deployment questions.

Saudi Arabia's AI Infrastructure Push

The kingdom has positioned itself as an emerging AI hub through aggressive investment and partnerships. Humain CEO Tareq Amin stated the Together AI deal strengthens "the region's position as a global hub for AI infrastructure, cloud capabilities, and next-generation AI services."

Humain has established partnerships with Amazon Web Services, xAI, Microsoft, and Applied Intuition as part of this broader strategy.

Saudi-U.S. technology ties have deepened under recent agreements. A May 2025 Trump administration deal valued at $600 billion included a Saudi commitment to invest $20 billion in new U.S. data centers, according to a White House statement.

Strategic Risks of Offshore Infrastructure

Analysts have flagged potential vulnerabilities in concentrating AI infrastructure in geopolitically complex regions. A Brookings report cited by Gizmodo warned that consequences "could extend beyond commercial losses and may result in degrading U.S. technological advantage, accelerating rivals' capabilities—especially China—and potentially undermining the integrity of AI systems on which critical functions depend."

The tension between domestic capacity constraints and offshore risk exposure presents a strategic dilemma for U.S. AI companies seeking to maintain growth trajectories while preserving technological sovereignty.

Details of the Together AI-Humain partnership were first reported by Gizmodo and the New York Times.