HUMAIN, a global artificial intelligence company backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced a significant expansion into the sports industry. The company has launched HUMAIN Sport following the strategic acquisition of a controlling stake in the London-based sports technology firm, ai.io. This move, revealed at the PIF Private Sector Forum, is set to accelerate the development and deployment of AI-driven solutions across the global sports ecosystem.
A Strategic Move into Sports Technology
The acquisition establishes a dedicated sports technology vertical within HUMAIN, underscoring the company's commitment to diversifying its AI applications. By securing a majority interest in ai.io, HUMAIN is strategically positioning itself to lead innovation in a rapidly growing sector. This investment aligns with HUMAIN's long-term goal of integrating advanced AI into a wide array of industries to unlock new potential and drive transformation.
Fusing AI Infrastructure with Sporting Expertise
This partnership creates a powerful synergy by combining HUMAIN's extensive full-stack AI capabilities with ai.io's specialized domain expertise. HUMAIN provides robust infrastructure, including next-generation data centers and advanced AI models, which will serve as the foundation for scaling operations. Meanwhile, ai.io contributes its proven sports-focused platforms, technical knowledge, and established global network, creating a comprehensive end-to-end offering.
At the core of this collaboration are ai.io's innovative products, such as aiScout, a mobile app for talent identification, and 3DAT, an advanced markerless motion capture tool. These technologies will be enhanced by HUMAIN's resources, enabling broader access and new use cases across multiple sports disciplines. The integrated platforms aim to deliver data-driven insights for athlete development, performance analysis, and intelligent facility management.
Vision for a Data-Driven Sporting Future
Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN, emphasized that the venture aims to bridge the gap between human potential and artificial intelligence. He stated that the mission is to use AI to unite people, empower athletes, and elevate performance from grassroots to professional levels. The company anticipates strong commercial momentum, with several new partnership agreements already in development and expected to be announced soon.
Echoing this sentiment, Darren Peries, Founder and CEO of ai.io, highlighted the expanded reach and impact the partnership will bring to their technology. He noted that together, the companies can deploy solutions that support the entire sports community, including athletes, coaches, and organizations. This collaboration is poised to significantly contribute to the growth of the sports technology sector both regionally and globally.
Global Ambitions and Market Impact
Operating as a distinct vertical, HUMAIN Sport will spearhead deployments in Saudi Arabia while also targeting key international markets. The partnership is designed to deliver scalable solutions that cater to professional, amateur, and grassroots sports alike. Its influence is also expected to extend into adjacent sectors such as education, health, and specialized training programs.
The launch of HUMAIN Sport through the acquisition of ai.io marks a pivotal development in the convergence of artificial intelligence and athletics. This strategic alliance leverages HUMAIN's formidable AI infrastructure and ai.io's pioneering sports technology to create a new industry powerhouse. The venture is set to redefine athlete development, performance analytics, and fan engagement, heralding a new era of data-driven excellence in the global sports landscape.