Key Highlights:
- $600 billion investment commitment, with an ambition of reaching $1 trillion in the US-Saudi corridor by 2030.
- $300 billion in immediate deals were initiated during the forum.
- Google, Oracle, Salesforce, Advanced Micro Devices, Uber, and Datavolt collectively committed $80 billion to joint ventures in Tech and AI.
The 2025 Saudi-US Investment Forum, held in Riyadh on May 13, 2025, marked a historic milestone, further cementing the eight-decade alliance between the two nations. The forum laid out a roadmap for an ambitious $1 trillion economic corridor and unlocked over $300 billion in immediate deals.
Spanning AI, renewable energy, tourism, and more, the event showcased a deepening partnership, highlighting the success of Vision 2030 and growing synergy with American innovation.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that 40% of the Public Investment Fund’s global investments are directed toward the United States, reflecting strong mutual trust and shared ambitions aligned with Vision 2030.
In 2023, total FDI from the US to Saudi Arabia reached $202.3 billion, with $5.5 billion recorded in that year alone. As of early 2025, 1,266 American investment licenses had been issued, alongside the establishment of around 200 regional headquarters.
Top sectors of US Companies Issuing licenses in Saudi Arabia:
- 289: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- 253: Information and Communications
- 220: Manufacturing Industries
- 130: Construction
- 80: Wholesale and Retail Trade
Technology & AI: At the Forefront of Innovation
AI took center stage at the forum as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s technological ambitions and a key area of collaboration with the United States. Leading global figures, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink, attended the forum. Tech giants such as Google, Oracle, Salesforce, Advanced Micro Devices, Uber, and Datavolt collectively committed $80 billion to joint ventures.
Here are some of the notable deals announced at the forum:
- Nvidia’s Blackwell Chips: Nvidia signed a deal to supply 18,000 AI chips to Saudi Arabia, navigating certain U.S. export restrictions, to power a 500-megawatt data center, developed in partnership with Saudi company Humane.
- Elon Musk and Tesla: Musk announced Saudi Arabia’s entry into the Starlink network for maritime and aviation connectivity. He also discussed the production of humanoid robots, envisioning a future where “everyone will want their own robot.” A new partnership with Saudi researchers aims to build “maximally curious” AI systems in both countries.
- Uber’s Autonomous Vehicles: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed that self-driving vehicles will debut in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2025 through partnerships with Aurora and Waymo, leveraging the Kingdom’s 4 million active users.
Saudi Arabia aims to become a global leader in AI development, with Minister of Communications Abdullah Al-Sawaha emphasizing the importance of “responsible AI” focusing on data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ethical use.
Energy & Industry: Balancing Green Hydrogen and Renewables
Saudi Aramco has long had a strong standing partnership with leading US firms. The US-Saudi Investment Forum reaffirmed these ties through cross-sector investments focused on transitioning toward green energy while maintaining hydrocarbon strength.
Major announcements included:
- Aramco in Texas: A $3.4 billion investment in the largest US fuel plant, increasing capacity to 630,000 barrels per day.
- NEOM’s Green Hydrogen: An $8.4 billion joint venture with US-based Air Products to produce 1.2 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
- Oracle’s $14 Billion Pledge: Supporting digital governance under Vision 2030, Oracle will build cloud regions and smart city infrastructure in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Cybersecurity and Aviation: Strengthening Capabilities
A $142 billion deal on the security front included advanced cybersecurity infrastructure from US firms like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. This agreement aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on foreign security guarantees while enhancing its local capabilities.
In aviation, Saudi Arabia’s AviLease signed a $4.8 billion deal to purchase Boeing 737-8 jets, with an option to buy 10 more. These aircraft will support Vision 2030’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 150 million visitors annually.
A Blueprint for Strengthening Saudi-US Corridor
The 2025 Saudi-US Investment forum laid the foundation for long-term collaboration, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund planning to invest 40% of its $900 billion portfolio into US sectors such as tech, renewables, and infrastructure.
The forum transcended transactional deals, reflecting a shared vision for global leadership. With AI, renewables, and tourism at its core, the $1 trillion corridor promises unparalleled opportunity. As BlackRock CEO Larry Fink remarked, “Saudi Arabia isn’t just adapting to the future, it’s building it.”
With $600 billion in mutual investments already pledged, this growing corridor is rapidly becoming a gateway for U.S. companies seeking to expand into one of the world’s fastest-transforming economies. From tech and infrastructure to tourism and manufacturing, Saudi Arabia is actively creating a business-friendly environment that invites American firms to play a central role in shaping its Vision 2030 goals. The Riyadh forum not only reaffirmed the enduring US-Saudi alliance but positioned both nations and their private sectors as contributors to a bold and transformative global future.