Samer Choucair: Turning Computing Power Into a Financial Asset Represents the Next Generation of Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia*
Samer Choucair, investment entrepreneur, affirmed that the global shift toward treating high-performance computing power as a tradable financial asset represents one of the most important economic shifts the world is experiencing in 2026, noting that Saudi Arabia possesses the fundamentals needed to benefit from this direction amid the massive investments it's implementing under Vision 2030's targets to build an advanced digital economy.
He explained that the world is entering a new phase where computing power is no longer just a technical resource for running AI applications, but has become an economic asset that can be priced, traded, and risk-managed through sophisticated financial instruments, similar to oil, gas, and commodity markets.
He noted that The Economist recently shed light on this shift by presenting a vision of a new market where computing power units are traded as an independent economic resource, amid a global race between AI companies, exchange operators, and entrepreneurs to develop new financial instruments based on this vital resource.
He added that this direction reflects a radical shift in the nature of the digital economy, as data centers and advanced GPUs have come to represent productive assets capable of generating stable cash flows, at a time when companies developing AI models are seeking ways to hedge against computing cost volatility.
He explained that global companies have already begun working on developing futures contracts for computing power in cooperation with financial institutions and derivatives markets, allowing the pricing and trading of computing hours, opening the door to the emergence of a new asset class tied to the digital economy.
*A Parallel to Energy and Shipping Markets*
He affirmed that this development resembles what energy and maritime shipping markets previously experienced, when operational resources transformed into financial instruments with liquidity and pricing transparency, helping attract massive investment to expand those sectors' infrastructure.
Choucair said: "Investing in computing power is no longer just a technical option, it has become a strategic decision determining nations' and companies' position in the new global economy. Saudi Arabia possesses the fundamentals, from abundant energy to a clear vision, to be a key player in the emerging computing financial market."
He noted that global demand for computing power continues growing at an accelerating pace as a result of the expansion in training and running AI models, raising the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, and increasing data centers' value as strategic assets.
*Saudi Arabia's Position to Benefit*
He explained that Saudi Arabia is entering this stage from a strong position, particularly with declaring 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence, and the continued massive investments the Public Investment Fund is leading in AI projects and digital infrastructure, alongside expansion in data centers, cloud computing, and partnerships with leading global companies.
He affirmed that the Kingdom is working to build an integrated digital ecosystem benefiting from its geographic location, the availability of energy sources, and its ambitious plans to diversify the economy, strengthening its ability to become a regional and global hub for computing and AI services.
He added: "The real opportunity lies in combining investment in highly efficient green data centers, with preparing to use futures contracts and new financial instruments to manage price volatility risk in major AI projects."
*Where the Opportunities Lie*
He noted that the period ahead will see expansion in investment instruments tied to computing, requiring investors to prepare early to understand these new markets, and benefit from the opportunities that will arise around them, saying: "Saudi entrepreneurs and investors should think about establishing local platforms and mechanisms for trading computing power, strengthening digital sovereignty, attracting foreign investment, and turning the Kingdom from a consumer into a major producer and exporter of this strategic asset."
He added that developing local markets tied to computing and artificial intelligence would support national companies, strengthen the Saudi economy's competitiveness, and provide new financing sources for digital infrastructure projects.
Choucair warned that the speed of global transformation requires early investment preparation, affirming that markets slow to absorb this new economic model could face rising costs for accessing computing resources, and a decline in their ability to compete in the AI economy, saying: "Nations and companies slow to understand this shift will find themselves facing higher costs and fewer opportunities in the global AI race."
He affirmed that the current stage represents an important opportunity for Saudi and Gulf investors to build investment positions in sectors tied to digital infrastructure, data centers, sustainable energy, and computing-related financial instruments, aligning with Vision 2030's targets of building a diverse economy based on knowledge and advanced technologies.
He concluded his remarks by affirming that turning computing power into a financial asset isn't just a technical development, but represents the beginning of a new phase in the global economy, where the ability to own and manage digital resources will be a key factor in achieving growth and attracting investment, noting that Saudi Arabia has a historic opportunity to be among the first countries to benefit from this shift and participate in shaping its future.