The collaboration between Core42 and Assolombarda brings together Milan’s long-standing industrial expertise and Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure for artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud computing.
Signing of a memorandum of understanding between Core42 and the Italian Assolombarda association
Supporting the Forgia initiative and protecting industrial data sovereignty
Expansion of the Italian industrial presence in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Executive leadership vision for the partnership between Milan and Abu Dhabi
Frequently asked questions
Signing of a memorandum of understanding between Core42 and the Italian Assolombarda association
Core42, a UAE-based company under the G42 group specializing in artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud computing solutions, announced on October 13, 2026, in Abu Dhabi the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Italian association Assolombarda. The association represents the interests of more than 7,158 Italian and international companies of various sizes across industrial and service sectors in the Lombardy region, which includes the metropolitan city of Milan and the provinces of Lodi, Monza and Brianza, and Pavia.
This bilateral collaboration aims to support the adoption of secure artificial intelligence technologies within the Italian industrial sector through the exchange of advanced expertise and specialized technical guidance, with a strict focus on maintaining the security and confidentiality of industrial data. Assolombarda is the largest business association within Confindustria, the General Confederation of Italian Industry, in terms of size and institutional representation scope.
This agreement reflects Core42’s growing role in building the foundational digital infrastructure that supports organizations and nations in maximizing the benefits of artificial intelligence technologies, alongside its management of the G42 AI operating network, which transforms massive computing capabilities into efficient, widely available, on-demand cloud services.
Supporting the Forgia initiative and protecting industrial data sovereignty
This joint collaboration falls within the framework of the Forgia initiative led by the Italian industrial association, which is specifically designed to help industrial companies securely share their operational data and develop tailored artificial intelligence applications suited to their production needs, while fully preserving data sovereignty and protecting the intellectual property rights of every factory and enterprise.
Under the terms of the agreement, Core42 will share its accumulated expertise in sovereign cloud computing and artificial intelligence to support the Forgia initiative in managing industrial company data and protecting its confidentiality, drawing on successful experiences and major projects implemented by the company inside and outside the United Arab Emirates.
The two sides will also discuss organizing a series of specialized workshops and technical meetings to help member companies explore best practices for utilizing artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud computing in their daily operations, exchanging practical knowledge regarding industrial data management and cybersecurity, and facilitating direct communication between Italian companies and technology firms operating within the G42 ecosystem in the UAE.
Expansion of the Italian industrial presence in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
This technical collaboration is part of the ongoing expansion of Assolombarda’s activities in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. The association has maintained an active presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for 10 years, during which it has organized dozens of business delegations and trade visits to the region involving more than 500 Italian companies, contributing to the conclusion of numerous memoranda of understanding with official bodies and local partners.
In January 2026, the association inaugurated its dedicated space within the “Made in Italy” business center in Abu Dhabi, a hub that assists Italian companies in entering the UAE and Gulf markets and expanding their commercial and industrial operations. The association also plans to open a new operational office in the Emirate of Dubai to enhance its on-the-ground services.
This dual institutional presence in Abu Dhabi and Dubai establishes a direct bridge between Italian manufacturers possessing long-standing engineering and industrial expertise and the advanced technology ecosystem, capital, and global markets connected to the UAE.
Executive leadership vision for the partnership between Milan and Abu Dhabi
Talal Al Kaissi, CEO of Core42, emphasized that the memorandum of understanding reflects the company’s commitment to helping organizations integrate artificial intelligence into their operations by providing a secure infrastructure that enables them to transition from experimentation to actual implementation. Al Kaissi explained that data sovereignty means industrial companies retain complete control over their data and comply with management and protection requirements while leveraging advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, noting that the agreement marks the beginning of a partnership the company looks forward to developing in the coming phase.
For his part, Alvise Biffi, President of Assolombarda, stated that digital transformation and data sovereignty represent two major challenges directly impacting the future competitiveness of industrial companies. He pointed out that cooperation with Core42 allows member companies to benefit from technical expertise and secure solutions that help them utilize artificial intelligence and improve their competitive edge in global markets.
Biffi noted in a press release distributed by media relations officer Roa Anwar at ProGlobal agency that the agreement paves the way for a comprehensive strategic partnership between Milan’s industrial sector and Abu Dhabi’s technology sector, moving beyond traditional trade relations to combine Italian industrial expertise with the UAE’s strategic vision and global market connections, thereby supporting economic cooperation with Gulf nations.
Frequently asked questions
Question: What is the objective of the memorandum of understanding between Core42 and Assolombarda?
Answer: The agreement aims to support the adoption of secure artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud computing in the industrial sector of Italy’s Lombardy region while ensuring the security and confidentiality of industrial data.
Question: What is the Forgia initiative supported by this partnership?
Answer: Forgia is an initiative by Assolombarda that helps Italian industrial companies securely share data and develop customized artificial intelligence applications while maintaining data sovereignty and intellectual property rights.
Question: How many companies does Assolombarda represent in Italy?
Answer: The association represents more than 7,158 Italian and international companies operating in the metropolitan city of Milan and the provinces of Lodi, Monza and Brianza, and Pavia.
Question: How is Assolombarda expanding within the UAE?
Answer: In January 2026, the association inaugurated a dedicated space within the Made in Italy business center in Abu Dhabi, and it also plans to open an operational office in Dubai.
