Saudi Arabia: From Journalistic Bonesaws to AI 'Gigaprojects'
Saudi Arabia is now 'chasing AI ambitions' (Al-Monitor), pouring vast sums into its new AI firm, Humain, via the Public Investment Fund. This is presented as part of an effort to modernize its oil-reliant economy. While the media applauds Vision 2030's shiny tech ventures, it often forgets that this 'modernization' comes after a string of controversies, including the 2018 murder of journalist
Jamal Khashoggi, deemed a 'gigaproject' of Saudi ruthlessness by some—an event that didn't stop global investors from flocking back. We're told this investment targets a 'highly competitive sector' some fear 'is a bubble ready to burst.' One might wonder if the Saudis are betting their authoritarian stability can outlast the tech bubble, or perhaps they're hoping AI can finally solve the PR crisis
inherent in beheading critics. Either way, the kingdom's cash is apparently always green, no matter how it’s earned or how many dissenters disappear.