On August 25, 2025, Saudi Arabia marked a significant milestone in artificial intelligence with the launch of HUMAIN Chat, an Arabic-first conversational AI platform powered by the ALLAM 34B model. Developed by HUMAIN, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, this innovative app aims to serve over 400 million Arabic speakers and 2 billion Muslims worldwide, addressing a long-standing gap in generative AI for Arabic-speaking communities. HUMAIN Chat, available on web, iOS, and Android, is a bold step toward linguistic equity and cultural relevance in AI technology.
A New Era for Arabic AI
HUMAIN Chat stands out for its focus on Arabic language and Islamic cultural nuance. Unlike many global AI models that prioritize English, HUMAIN Chat is designed to deliver fluent, contextually relevant responses in Arabic, supporting multiple dialects such as Egyptian, Gulf, and Levantine. Its bilingual capability allows seamless switching between Arabic and English within a single conversation, making it versatile for diverse users. The platform also incorporates real-time web search for up-to-date information and supports Arabic speech input, enhancing accessibility across the region.
The ALLAM 34B model, the backbone of HUMAIN Chat, was trained on one of the largest Arabic datasets ever compiled, refined by over 600 domain experts and 250 evaluators. Independently verified by Cohere on MMLU benchmarks, it is recognized as the most advanced Arabic large language model developed in the Arab world. This technical prowess, combined with cultural alignment, positions HUMAIN Chat as a groundbreaking tool for digital inclusion.
Sovereign AI with Global Ambitions
HUMAIN Chat is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s vision of becoming a global AI hub. Built entirely within the Kingdom, the app is hosted on national infrastructure and complies fully with Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), ensuring data sovereignty and privacy. The project was spearheaded by a team of over 120 AI specialists, including 35 PhD holders, with a balanced 50/50 gender ratio, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s growing pool of homegrown talent.
Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN, described the launch as “a historic milestone” in building sovereign AI that reflects Saudi values and infrastructure. “We are proving that globally competitive technologies can be rooted in our own language, infrastructure, and values—built in Saudi Arabia by Saudi talent,” Amin said. The app’s launch is the first in HUMAIN’s broader portfolio, HUMAIN IQ, which aims to deliver sector-specific AI solutions for governments, businesses, and content creators.
Bridging Cultural and Digital Gaps
What sets HUMAIN Chat apart is its deep alignment with Islamic and Middle Eastern cultural contexts. The platform is being hailed as the world’s first “halal AI,” designed to resonate with the values, heritage, and history of its target audience. This cultural intelligence makes it a unique offering in a global AI landscape often criticized for neglecting non-English-speaking communities.
The app’s features, such as conversation sharing for collaboration and real-time adaptation to user needs, make it practical for both individual and professional use. By prioritizing Arabic, HUMAIN Chat empowers users to create, learn, and connect in their native language, fostering a sense of digital inclusion for a historically underserved population.
A Strategic Milestone for Saudi Arabia
Launched under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chairs HUMAIN’s board, the company is part of a broader strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a leader in AI innovation. Established in May 2025, HUMAIN operates across four core areas: next-generation data centers, high-performance infrastructure, advanced AI models, and transformative AI solutions. Partnerships with global tech giants like Amazon Web Services, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm further bolster its ecosystem.
The launch of HUMAIN Chat is not just a technological achievement but a cultural and strategic one. It builds on earlier models developed by the National Center for AI under the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), signaling the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing AI while staying rooted in its identity. With plans for regional rollout across the Middle East and eventual global expansion, HUMAIN Chat is poised to redefine how Arabic speakers interact with AI.
Looking Ahead
HUMAIN Chat is more than an app—it’s a call to action. HUMAIN has urged Saudi citizens and Arabic speakers worldwide to engage with the platform, emphasizing that user interaction will drive its evolution. As the app learns from real-world usage, it is expected to become smarter and more capable, setting a new standard for culturally grounded AI.
As regional competition in AI intensifies, with initiatives like the UAE’s Falcon Arabic model, HUMAIN Chat positions Saudi Arabia as a frontrunner in the race to deliver technology that is both globally competitive and locally relevant. By blending technical sophistication with cultural sensitivity, HUMAIN Chat is paving the way for a future where AI speaks the language of its people.
Sources: HUMAIN official website, Gulf News, Times of India, India Today, Khaleej Telegraph