Luma AI Bets on Middle East as Next AI Compute Hub Amidst Ambitious Global Expansion

Doha, Qatar – Generative artificial intelligence company Luma AI is embarking on an aggressive global expansion, with its leadership identifying the Middle East as a critical future hub for AI computation. The company, known for its advanced video and multimodal models, is solidifying its position at the forefront of AI innovation, as revealed in discussions with CEO and Co-founder Amit Jain on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar.

Luma AI has experienced a period of explosive growth, fueled significantly by a substantial $900 million funding round secured in November, reportedly led by Saudi AI firm HUMAIN. This influx of capital has enabled the company to scale its operations dramatically. Jain shared with Euronews Next that Luma AI has surged from approximately 30 employees at the beginning of 2025 to over 160, demonstrating a remarkable hiring pace of 20 to 25 individuals per month. This rapid scaling has necessitated the establishment of new offices in key locations, including London and Seattle, marking a significant geographical footprint expansion.

The company’s expansion strategy is deeply intertwined with its technological advancements. Luma AI specializes in developing multimodal intelligence that seamlessly integrates language, audio, video, and image processing. In 2024, Luma AI launched its highly acclaimed video generation platform, Dream Machine, which achieved an impressive milestone of one million users within its first four days. Prior to this, in 2025, the Silicon Valley-based startup debuted Ray3, recognized as the world's first reasoning video model. Ray3 has undergone multiple updates since its release, continuously enhancing its AI video generation capabilities.

Jain emphasized the natural progression of this growth, stating, "Startups that don’t grow shouldn’t exist." This philosophy underpins Luma AI's proactive approach to market penetration and technological development. The company's strategic focus on the Middle East is not merely about establishing a presence but is intrinsically linked to addressing the escalating demand for computational power in AI development. In this regard, Luma AI is collaborating with HUMAIN on 'Project Halo,' a large-scale initiative aimed at bolstering AI infrastructure.

The partnership with HUMAIN for Project Halo signals a deeper commitment to the region. While specific details of Project Halo remain under wraps, the collaboration suggests a concerted effort to develop and deploy advanced AI infrastructure, potentially leveraging the Middle East's growing investment in technology and digital transformation. This move aligns with a broader trend of international tech companies seeking strategic partnerships and operational bases in regions that offer significant growth potential and supportive ecosystems for AI development.

Luma AI's ambitious expansion and its strategic focus on the Middle East underscore the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. As the company continues to push the boundaries of generative AI, its presence at events like Web Summit Qatar serves as a crucial platform for showcasing its innovations and forging new partnerships that will shape the future of AI technology on a global scale.

The company's success, evidenced by its rapid user adoption and significant funding, positions it as a key player in the competitive AI market. The commitment to building out infrastructure and expanding its team globally indicates a long-term vision for Luma AI to be a dominant force in the development and deployment of next-generation artificial intelligence solutions.