Happy Thursday everyone!

Global business is moving at full speed , Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN data centers are sold out as demand for AI infrastructure surges, Microsoft faces scrutiny for involving the FBI in employee protests over its Israel contracts, and Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings is making a $500 million bet on Zimbabwe’s gas reserves. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening, why it matters for markets and geopolitics, and what to watch next.

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PIF’s AI Unit HUMAIN Sells Out Data Center Capacity

🔹 What Is It About

Saudi Arabia’s national AI champion HUMAIN, backed by the Public Investment Fund, has already sold out all existing and under-construction data center capacity. Partnering with U.S. chipmaker Groq, the company hosts what it calls the world’s largest AI inferencing hub, serving users in more than 130 countries.

🔹 Why It Matters

This milestone reinforces Saudi Arabia’s plan to use cheap energy and vast land resources to become a global hub for AI infrastructure. With just 1% of its customers coming from within the Kingdom, HUMAIN is generating significant foreign revenue, showing that “data as the new oil” is more than a slogan.

🔹 What’s Next

HUMAIN is seeking U.S. approval to purchase advanced semiconductors from Nvidia and others, which will be critical to meet rising demand and stay competitive in the race for global AI processing power.

Markets

Microsoft Called FBI on Gaza Protesters Targeting CEO’s Home

🔹 What Is It About

Bloomberg reports that Microsoft contacted the FBI and local authorities after pro-Palestinian employees staged kayak protests outside the homes of CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith. Organized by “No Azure for Apartheid,” the demonstrations opposed Microsoft’s Azure cloud services being used by the Israeli military. Internal emails show Microsoft flagged employees and their relatives to federal authorities.

🔹 Why It Matters

The revelations raise questions about corporate surveillance, employee rights, and the ethics of supplying AI and cloud technology for military operations. Allegations that Israel’s Unit 8200 used Microsoft Azure to analyze Palestinian communications add fuel to a debate over tech companies’ accountability in conflict zones.

🔹 What’s Next

Microsoft may face increased scrutiny from regulators, shareholders, and employee groups as pressure mounts to review contracts tied to military applications. Further disclosures could intensify reputational and legal risks.

Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings Backs Zimbabwe Gas Development

🔹 What Is It About

Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings acquired a 19.9% stake in Australia’s Invictus Energy for A$37.8 million ($24.56 million), pledging up to $500 million to develop the Cabora Bassa gas project in Zimbabwe. The deal includes forming a joint venture, Al Mansour Oil & Gas, to acquire energy assets across Africa.

🔹 Why It Matters

This investment positions Qatar as a major player in African energy and boosts Zimbabwe’s potential as a gas producer. Seismic surveys show 2.9 trillion cubic feet of gas and 184 million barrels of condensate in the region, marking one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest recent finds.

🔹 What’s Next

The funding will support drilling of the Musuma-1 well and expand exploration efforts. Invictus shares surged to their highest level since 2023, signaling investor confidence. Al Mansour’s broader $12 billion commitment to Botswana highlights Qatar’s growing influence in Africa’s energy and economic transformation.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Dreamers: Kevin O’Leary Buys Bryant-Jordan Trading Card for $13M, Setting One of Basketball’s Highest Price Tags.

• Sunny Varkey on ABtalks: GEMS Education Founder Shares Views on Ambition, Wealth, and Education as a Force for Change

• Israeli police seized 1.5 million shekels ($447,000) in “terror-related” funds during a raid in central Ramallah, per Al Arabiya English.

• Abu Dhabi’s Lunate Takes Stake in Brevan Howard, Launches $2B Hedge Fund Platform at ADGM.

• Kuwait Revokes Licences of Al Sabah Newspaper and TV Channel After Owner Loses Citizenship.

🔍In other news…

• Mubadala Pumps Millions into UK Electronics Firm to Boost Next-Gen Tech Production.

• Falak joins Blomal Capital’s pre-seed round to support digital investment growth.

• US emerges as top source of greenfield investment in Saudi Arabia in H1 2025.

• Saudi Arabia and Oman sign agreement on joint investments.

• Lunate to take stake in UK hedge fund Brevan Howard.

• Israeli forces seize nearly $447,000 during West Bank raid.

• Affluent UAE buyers eye London’s prime property market.

• BCG hit by internal dissent over Gaza relief work.

• Snapchat study finds Saudis use social media as shopping tool.

• Dubai to award $1M AI film prize at 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026.

🏦 Crypto Corner

• Michael Saylor — Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy and one of Bitcoin’s most vocal corporate advocates — will make his first-ever appearance in the UAE at Bitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi.

• Hut 8, part of a American BTC which is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Gets Approval to Operate in Dubai Financial Hub.

• Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now accepts AE Coin.

We are launching a Smashi Crypto newsletter in September 2025! Subscribe to it here to get the weekly updates from the world of digital assets.

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