In a strategic move to boost digital transformation in the region, IBM and AWS have announced a collaboration aimed at accelerating the adoption of cloud and artificial intelligence solutions, culminating in the launch of their first joint innovation center in Riyadh.
Article contents:
- A strategic partnership to drive innovation
- Growing demand for cloud and AI in the region
- IBM-AWS Innovation Center in Riyadh: A hands-on experience platform
- Developing local talent and expanding capabilities
- Localization of solutions to meet national priorities
- Cybersecurity: A core pillar of the collaboration
- Focus on sustainability and environmental initiatives
- Frequently asked questions
A strategic partnership to drive innovation
IBM announced today the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate the adoption of secure cloud solutions and digital transformation in the Middle East region. This collaboration, which combines IBM’s deep expertise in artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud with AWS’s advanced capabilities, aims to fast-track the achievement of digital transformation goals in the region.
Growing demand for cloud and AI in the region
Cloud services are witnessing growing demand in the region, driven by the evolution of generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Internet of Things use cases. Ambitious national plans such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy continue to motivate governments and organizations to accelerate cloud adoption and invest in artificial intelligence. As a result, organizations are turning to trusted partners to accelerate their digital transformation and maximize the value of their investments.
Lola Mohanty, Managing Partner for Middle East and Africa at IBM Consulting, stated: “This collaboration represents a major milestone within IBM’s commitments to help organizations in the Middle East achieve their digital transformation ambitions, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.”
IBM-AWS Innovation Center in Riyadh: A hands-on experience platform
As part of this agreement, the two companies will establish the first IBM-AWS Innovation Center in Riyadh, serving as a platform to showcase the combined capabilities of both organizations. The center allows customers to explore innovation concepts and gain hands-on experience with the latest cloud technologies and industry solutions, including advanced IBM technologies such as the watsonx platform. The center is built on successful global models in India and Romania, and has been designed to meet the needs of government and private entities in the Middle East.
Developing local talent and expanding capabilities
IBM also plans to expand its AWS Practice capabilities across the region by developing talent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and by training and certifying local practitioners. These competencies will play an essential role in helping organizations navigate the complexities of cloud transformation, from strategy formulation and implementation to performance optimization. This investment in human capital aims to build a sustainable knowledge base that supports long-term growth.
Localization of solutions to meet national priorities
To drive growth in the Middle East, AWS will support IBM in developing new solutions and localizing a suite of impactful global solutions. These solutions include: AI for contact centers, automated security compliance, supply chain analytics, oil and gas industry analytics, smart government, and AI-powered citizen engagement tools. These solutions will help empower organizations to align with national priorities regarding economic diversification and sustainability.
Cybersecurity: A core pillar of the collaboration
Cybersecurity represents a core pillar of this collaboration. By combining IBM Consulting’s comprehensive cybersecurity services with AWS’s advanced cloud infrastructure, the two companies are setting a new standard for protecting cloud environments. Autonomous Security for Cloud (ASC) solutions, a managed service provided by IBM Consulting, are a central element of this partnership. The two companies will also collaborate to deliver customized security assessments to help organizations comply with local standards such as the Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC) in Saudi Arabia and the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standard (ADHICS).
Focus on sustainability and environmental initiatives
Focus will also be placed on environmental and sustainability initiatives, in line with regional priorities such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the UAE Sustainability Vision. IBM’s global expertise and solutions will enable organizations to modernize their digital infrastructure while boosting efforts toward achieving net-zero emissions and meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Tanuja Randery, Managing Director and Vice President of AWS for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said: “Our collaboration with IBM will expand the horizons of empowering governments and businesses in the Middle East through the adoption of advanced technologies on a large scale, and reinventing core operations using artificial intelligence.”
Frequently asked questions
Q1: What is the Innovation Center and what will it offer?
A1: The Innovation Center is a physical space where companies and governments can visit to experience the latest cloud technologies and AI solutions from IBM and AWS firsthand, and work with experts to develop tailored solutions for their specific challenges.
Q2: What is Hybrid Cloud?
A2: It is a computing environment that combines a private cloud (infrastructure dedicated to a single organization) with a public cloud (services provided by a third party such as AWS), allowing data and applications to be shared between them and giving companies greater flexibility.
Q3: Why is compliance with local cybersecurity standards like ECC important?
A3: Compliance with local standards is critical, especially for government and regulated sectors such as banking and healthcare, to ensure the protection of sensitive data and adherence to national regulations, thereby building trust and reducing risk.
