Llama 4 Launches In Dammam To Enhance AI Access Across Middle East, North Africa, And Europe

Groq, in partnership with Meta, has launched a new large language model in Saudi Arabia, strengthening the nation's role in artificial intelligence. This development utilises advanced infrastructure in Dammam and aligns with Saudi Arabia's strategic goals to boost its digital capabilities. The initiative aims to position the Kingdom as a key player in future technologies both regionally and globally.

Meta recently released its open-source AI models, Llama 4 Scout and Maverick, on GroqCloud within Saudi Arabia. This provides developers with comprehensive access to the latest generation of open-source models. Consequently, Llama 4 is now available to users across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. This enhances access to cutting-edge AI technologies with high-performance inference capabilities.

The introduction of these models marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia's AI infrastructure. Earlier this year, the region's largest inference cluster was activated in Dammam. Jonathan Ross, Founder and CEO of Groq, stated: "We built Groq to drive compute costs to zero, in collaboration with our partners. With Llama 4, we are delivering high-performance inference at unprecedented speed and minimal cost — without compromise."

Tariq Amin highlighted the importance of integrating Llama 4 with Groq's technology. He noted that this represents a major advancement in Saudi Arabia's pursuit of technological leadership. The collaboration between Groq and Meta underscores the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a global hub for artificial intelligence.

At LEAP 2025, Groq announced an ambitious $1.5 billion investment plan to establish the world's largest AI inference centre in Saudi Arabia alongside Aramco Digital. This initiative is designed to scale Groq's infrastructure significantly and expand GroqCloud services for developers. It aims to process billions of tokens daily, further solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in AI technology.

This strategic move by Groq and Meta not only enhances digital capabilities but also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s status as a central player in future technologies across various regions. By leveraging advanced infrastructure and investing heavily in AI development, the Kingdom is poised to lead advancements in artificial intelligence globally.

With inputs from SPA