Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has formally entered the global race to build hyperscale data centers with the launch of Hexagon, the world’s largest Tier IV government data center, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s ambition to lead the data- and AI-driven economy.

The Hexagon data center, unveiled in Riyadh, reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic push to harness data as a core engine of national development, as digital infrastructure becomes central to economic growth in the age of artificial intelligence.

The project is driven by the national data and AI strategy led by Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030.

A strategic asset for data sovereignty and economic diversification

The launch reflects the vision of Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA, to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for advanced technologies.

Building robust national digital infrastructure has become a strategic necessity to ensure data sovereignty, strengthen non-oil economic diversification, and secure long-term competitiveness.

These efforts have helped Saudi Arabia rank first globally in several international indicators, including the Government AI Strategy Index, underscoring the Kingdom’s rapid progress in the digital domain.

From early computing to the AI era

While the concept of data centers dates back to the 1950s, when early mainframe computers required climate-controlled rooms, their strategic importance accelerated with the rise of the internet in the late 1990s.

The launch of cloud computing in 2006 elevated data centers into a global priority, while the emergence of artificial intelligence after 2020 — particularly generative AI — transformed them into critical national assets requiring massive processing power.

In this context, data has evolved from a finite natural resource to an unlimited digital flow, reshaping how economic value is created.

Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has led Saudi Arabia’s data and AI agenda as the national authority responsible for regulation, development, and governance, including big data.

Within just six years, these efforts have positioned the Kingdom as a key player in the global digital economy and a leading destination in the Middle East for major international technology firms.

A foundation built on regulation and trust

SDAIA’s role has extended beyond technical development to building a comprehensive regulatory environment for data and AI. This includes the Personal Data Protection Law and its executive regulations, as well as national principles and standards for generative AI, AI adoption frameworks, and the management of the National Data Controllers Registry.

These measures are designed to safeguard privacy, enhance trust in digital systems, and ensure that advanced technologies contribute to sustainable development.

Hexagon: scale, sustainability, and reliability

Hexagon is the cornerstone of a broader expansion plan that will see additional data centers developed across the Kingdom to meet rapidly growing demand for national digital infrastructure and ensure maximum system availability.

The facility has been designed to meet the LEED Gold standards of the U.S. Green Building Council, reflecting a balance between high-performance computing and environmental responsibility. It serves as a model for next-generation green data centers.

Hexagon boasts a capacity of up to 480 megawatts, spans more than 30 million square feet, and incorporates advanced energy-efficiency solutions, including smart cooling systems, direct liquid cooling, and hybrid cooling technologies. These innovations enable extremely low power usage effectiveness while integrating renewable energy as a sustainable power source.

Global certifications and unmatched reliability

The center complies with the TIA-942 global engineering standard, which ensures dual independent systems and pathways to maintain operational reliability under all conditions. It has also achieved the Tier IV certification, the highest global standard for data centers, guaranteeing 99.995% availability and full fault tolerance.

In addition, Hexagon has received the ISO/IEC 22237 certification, a global benchmark for infrastructure availability and protection against technical and environmental risks, ensuring a secure and stable operating environment for government digital services.

Economic impact and quality of life gains

SDAIA’s data center strategy targets a cumulative local economic impact exceeding SR10 billion, alongside annual financial savings of more than SR1.8 billion, contributing to non-oil revenues and strengthening the national economy.

Beyond financial returns, the initiative is expected to significantly enhance the quality of life by raising the maturity of digital government services provided to citizens and residents, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position at the forefront of the global digital transformation.