Nvidia’s huge deal with AI startup Humain puts Saudi Arabia at ‘the front of the line’ of global chip customers, Dan Ives says

A group of several dozen businessmen stand together for a picture. (Credit: Win McNamee—Getty Images)

• Chipmaker Nvidia will give Saudi AI startup Humain 18,000 of its most advanced semiconductors, strengthening U.S.’s tech ties with the Mideast region. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives told Fortune the deal gives Saudi Arabia the leg up on China and moves Humain to the "front of the line" for AI partnerships with the U.S.

The U.S.’s chip deal with Saudi Arabia is a “watershed” moment in global AI, according to Dan Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, giving the Middle East region a massive advantage over China in the AI race.