Prosperity7, a venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, participated in a $400 million funding round for China's artificial intelligence (AI) startup Zhipu AI, according to a report by the Financial Times. Citing informed sources, the report states that Prosperity7 became a minority investor in the round, propelling Zhipu AI's valuation to nearly $3 billion.
The investment highlights Aramco's growing focus on diversifying its revenue streams beyond oil. Zhipu AI, headquartered in Beijing with over 800 employees, develops AI-powered solutions for various industries. The company has attracted significant investments in the past from prominent players like Alibaba Cloud, Tencent, Meituan, and China's National Social Security Fund.
This move by Aramco Ventures comes after the company received an additional $4 billion in January 2024, bringing its total war chest to $7 billion. This increased funding pool allows Aramco Ventures to pursue strategic investments in sectors with high-growth potential, like artificial intelligence.
Analysts believe that Aramco's investment in Zhipu AI could be mutually beneficial. Zhipu AI's expertise in AI could optimize Aramco's operations and enhance efficiency across its vast oil and gas production network. Additionally, Aramco's investment could provide Zhipu AI with a strong financial partner and potential access to new markets in the Middle East.
The growing adoption of AI in the oil and gas industry is a well-documented trend. AI-powered solutions can optimize exploration activities, improve predictive maintenance of equipment, and enhance overall safety standards. Zhipu AI's capabilities in these areas are likely to have attracted Aramco's interest.
Beyond process optimization, AI also plays a crucial role in sustainability initiatives within the oil and gas industry. AI can help companies like Aramco reduce their environmental footprint by optimizing energy consumption and minimizing emissions. Zhipu AI's solutions could potentially contribute to Aramco's environmental goals.
The financial details of Aramco's investment in Zhipu AI have not been disclosed. However, the participation of a prominent global player like Aramco underscores the growing importance of AI in the oil and gas sector and the potential for collaboration between Eastern and Western companies in this domain.