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AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture launches with 100 MW Saudi build, 1 GW by 2030

The AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture will debut with a 100 MW build in Saudi Arabia in 2026. HUMAIN will lead execution, while AMD and Cisco participate as minority investors, targeting up to 1 GW by 2030 according to company announcements and reporting.

TL;DR

The AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture sets a clear ramp: 100 MW first, then toward 1 GW. Luma AI has already contracted the initial capacity, reducing demand risk. Phase one is intended to use AMD accelerators and Cisco infrastructure, with operations expected in 2026.

AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture announced: 100 MW to start, 1 GW by 2030

The AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture will deploy a 100 MW facility in Saudi Arabia in 2026. HUMAIN leads, with AMD and Cisco taking minority stakes and sharing economics, while the roadmap points to up to 1 GW by 2030. Reuters and company releases confirm the structure and target scale.

Zoom in: Lisa Su underscored the partner-led model, noting, “Delivering high-performance global AI infrastructure at scale requires strong partnerships.” She also said, “We will together really have responsibility for ensuring that it’s successful.”

By the numbers:

• 100 MW in phase one, operations slated for 2026
• Target up to 1 GW by 2030
• First customer contracted for the entire initial cluster
• Chips: MI450-class accelerators planned; network: Cisco critical infrastructure

Additionally, the first site is described as a 100 mw saudi ai data center. The JV’s long-term aim is framed as 1 gw ai capacity by 2030.

Timeline for the AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture

• Nov. 19, 2025: Luma AI announces a $900 million Series C led by HUMAIN, with participation from AMD Ventures. The funding aligns compute purchases with HUMAIN’s broader build program.
• 2026: Operations planned to begin at the initial 100 MW site in Saudi Arabia.
• Through 2030: The JV targets 1 gw ai capacity by 2030, scaling capacity across phases as demand firms.

Moreover, the initial 100 MW is fully allocated before groundbreak. This early commitment helps de-risk the first ramp and supports procurement scheduling.

Luma AI contracts entire 100 MW in Saudi Arabia

Luma AI agreed to purchase all output from the first Saudi cluster. That effectively makes luma ai first customer for the initiative and signals committed demand on day one. With the 100 mw saudi ai data center pre-sold, luma ai first customer status becomes a bellwether for follow-on buyers.

Inside the AMD Cisco HUMAIN AI joint venture: technology and roles

Phase one is intended to feature AMD’s latest accelerators and Cisco’s data center stack. Specifically, plans call for amd instinct mi450 gpus paired with Cisco’s industry hardware and networking. HUMAIN will oversee development and operations.

Furthermore, AMD and Cisco are minority investors in the JV, aligning upstream silicon and networking incentives with capacity delivery. In practice, AMD will supply amd instinct mi450 gpus while Cisco provides critical infrastructure and integration support. This division of labor speeds time to deploy and clarifies responsibility.

The upshot: Anchored demand, known supply partners, and a defined site plan allow the JV to move decisively once procurement locks.

Commercial and ecosystem ties: Luma funding and AMD Ventures

Luma AI closed a $900 million Series C led by HUMAIN, with significant participation from AMD Ventures. The raise supports Luma’s compute needs and aligns with HUMAIN’s Project Halo in Saudi Arabia. While Project Halo is larger in ambition, the JV’s initial capacity provides a near-term onramp.

Additionally, the funding signals strategic depth between the compute buyer, the platform builder, and the chip ecosystem. As a result, financing and supply appear more synchronized than typical greenfield builds.

AMD’s local footprint: Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia

AMD plans to establish an amd center of excellence saudi to support integration, developer enablement, and solution optimization. The amd center of excellence saudi is positioned to help regional partners adopt new architectures and to accelerate software readiness.

This local presence should shorten deployment cycles. It also builds skills that persist beyond the first buildout.

What’s next

What’s next: Expect finalization of the JV structure, equipment procurement, and construction mobilization for the 2026 start. Watch for additional customers beyond Luma as capacity scales toward the 2030 goal. Also track supply-chain milestones tied to MI450-class deliveries and network gear, as those drive scheduling.

Risks and watch-outs: Construction timelines, power availability, and component lead times remain key variables. However, early demand signals and partner alignment provide a buffer.