Latest news with #TahaKhalifa
Argaam
24-04-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Intel working on multiple projects, sectors in Saudi Arabia
Taha Khalifa, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Intel Corporation, said that the company is expanding its team in Saudi Arabia and is involved in multiple projects including oil and gas, healthcare, financial services, and smart cities, noting that Saudi Arabia is set to become a major hub for investment in artificial intelligence technologies in the region. In an interview with Argaam, Khalifa added that the company is evaluating the Ministry of Investment's program of attracting regional corporate headquarters, as it is seen as a positive opportunity for growth. Additionally, Intel has active partnerships with both the public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, most notably the cooperation with Aramco Digital in the areas of communications and 5G technologies, which reflects the company's role in the Kingdom's digital transformation system, according to the official. He also pointed out that the demand for AI-enabled computers is growing rapidly, especially as Windows 10 is no longer supported and users migrate to Windows 11, predicting that shipments of these devices will exceed 100 million units globally by the end of 2025, and to account for 80% of PC sales by 2028. "Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major digital transformation as part of the economic diversification programs stemming from Vision 2030. The company is thus focusing on AI projects and seeks to strengthen its presence in the local market," he stated. Khalifa further indicated that the Saudi government plays a pivotal role in leading the technological transformation, unlike Western markets that are led by private companies, which enhances the opportunities for innovation and accelerates the achievement of the Vision's goals. He stressed that the Saudi government facilities have provided an ideal environment for the company to boost its operations and invest in advanced programs such as data centers supported by Xeon 6 technologies. As for the digital infrastructure, Khalifa said the company has launched new Xeon 6 servers that support energy efficiency and help reduce the environmental footprint of data centers, in line with global sustainability goals, noting that these servers contain up to 288 cores and reduce the density of racks in data centers.
Khaleej Times
14-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Middle East's diversification programmes driving digital transformation
The 2030 vision across the Middle East is driving digital transformation like never before, a senior industry official said. 'It's one of the most significant changes we're seeing in the region, with efforts to diversify the economy, build digital infrastructure, and create digital transformation. What sets the Middle East apart is that, specifically in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, it is the government leading the transformation. In Europe and the US, it's usually the enterprises that lead, and the government follows. But here, the government is setting aggressive targets, and we're seeing the results of that with the 2030 visions that drive diversification and transformation away from oil towards a digital-first economy,' Taha Khalifa, General Manager, Middle East and North Africa, Intel Corporation, told Khaleej Times in an interview. The semiconductor behemoth has been seeking to turn its fortunes around with the recent appointment of Lip-Bu Tan as its global CEO. 'With his background and experience in the semiconductor industry, as well as in the technology sector in general, and his deep relationships with customers across the board, he's going to help Intel move forward and bring us closer to our customers. What we've gathered from his key communications is that he's very focused on creating an engineering culture at Intel, which is core to our identity. Intel was always built as an engineering company, and we will continue to prioritize that,' Khalifa said. One of the key things that Lip-Bu brings to the table is his semiconductor experience. He was on the Intel Board, and he was also the CEO of Cadence for quite some time, where he helped turn the company around. His ability to lead and turn companies around will be invaluable as he takes the helm at Intel. 'With the support of our current product CEO, Michelle Johnson, and CFO, we are confident that this leadership team will be able to make the right decisions to advance our strategy and drive the company forward,' Khalidfa said. In the region, Khalifa expects that the end of Windows support for older versions in October and the release of Windows 11 will likely accelerate the refresh cycle for PCs in the commercial space. 'From an AI perspective, there have been significant investments in AI across the region, particularly in the UAE, with investments in data centers and AI infrastructure. PwC predicts that AI will contribute 14% of the UAE's GDP by 2030, which amounts to almost $100 billion. In Saudi Arabia, it's predicted to contribute 12% of the GDP, or around $135 billion. These figures put both the UAE and Saudi Arabia at the forefront of AI contribution to GDP globally,' Khalifa said. For AI, Intel expects a shift from training to inference. 'Right now, most AI compute is focused on training, with around 75% of workloads on training and 25% on inference. Over the next few years, we expect that ratio to flip in favour of inference. As large language models continue to develop, there will be a need for inference to run models from edge devices to the cloud and data centers. Additionally, AI workloads will require constant fine-tuning, making inference even more important,' Khalifa said. Intel says its Xeon 6 processor, which was released this year, is an ideal platform for AI inference. 'We've incorporated features that optimize AI workloads. What we advocate to our customers is the software-defined architecture approach, where the workload and requirements dictate the infrastructure and hardware needed. Our Xeon platform is built to excel at inference tasks, and we believe it's a key enabler for AI advancements in the region,' Khalifa said. Intel is also looking to add AI features to its flagship chips like the i7 and i9. 'By 2028, we expect that 80% of PCs will be AI PCs. An AI PC includes the traditional PC plus what we call an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to enable AI workloads. We've already introduced several generations of AI PCs, and by the end of this year, we expect to have 100 million AI PCs on the market. It's not just about the hardware — it's also about optimizing applications to take full advantage of NPUs, CPUs, and GPUs. We've already worked with over 100 software vendors to optimize their products on our platforms, with over 300 AI features enabled,' Khalifa said. Locally, applications like Jays and Falcon in the UAE running on AI PCs powered by Intel, and models are also running in Saudi Arabia. 'The advantage of running AI models on local PCs is that it ensures data privacy and security. This is a key area where Intel has AI leadership, and we're excited about the potential for software developers to leverage these open standards for enhanced performance,' Khalifa said.
Gulf Business
14-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
LEAP 2025: What tech leaders have to say about their participation
Image: Supplied Taha Khalifa, GM Middle East and Africa, Intel For Intel, LEAP 2025 has offered a strategic platform to showcase its latest technological advancements and engage with a diverse audience of industry leaders, innovators, and investors. The event's focus on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and smart cities aligns with Intel's core business areas, providing opportunities to explore collaborations and partnerships. Ahmad Sidawi, country manager, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Genesys LEAP 2025 has been a great opportunity for us to present the future of customer experience and how Genesys is transforming this space through AI-powered Experience Orchestration. We've been showcasing how the Genesys Cloud platform is enabling businesses to deliver personalised and seamless customer service across every touchpoint. With innovations in AI, chatbots, and analytics, we help businesses improve engagement and enhance satisfaction. At LEAP, we've been demonstrating how companies can harness the power of intelligent automation to optimise their customer journeys, reduce operational costs, and drive growth. Samer Diya, META VP, Forcepoint As one of the most prominent technology shows in the region, LEAP in Saudi Arabia offers an opportunity to reiterate the importance of data security in the digital world. While AI has quickly become integral to business operations, the ongoing AI transformation has only amplified the reality that data is every organisation's top asset — which is why protecting it everywhere is critical. Coupled with shifting global regulatory requirements, businesses must understand how to proactively bolster their data security posture. Our objective at LEAP has been to collaborate with our partners across Saudi Arabia to highlight how our 'Data Security Everywhere' approach empowers organisations to securely and compliantly navigate their unique digital and AI transformation. Prioritising data security wherever it resides has proven to be essential – especially as Saudi Arabia continues to elevate into the global AI sector through initiatives like Vision 2030 and Project Transcendence. This year, we're focused on investing in technology that delivers complete endpoint data protection, visibility and control of high-risk data, secure web usage, and secure SaaS app usage. Through our advancements in DLP, DSPM, SWG and CASB technologies, we are working with partners across the region to deliver real-time visibility and control without compromising user productivity. LEAP has provided the ideal space to demonstrate how organisations can innovate confidently while tackling the growing demand for data security. It's also a platform for collaboration, allowing us to exchange insights, engage with forward-thinking partners, and explore solutions to today's most pressing cybersecurity challenges. Meriam ElOuazzani, senior regional director META, SentinelOne The Middle East continues to be a thriving hub for digital transformation, and events like LEAP spotlight the region's role in shaping the future of technology. Cybersecurity remains a cornerstone of innovation, and at SentinelOne, we are proud to lead the way with autonomous, AI-driven solutions that empower organisations to stay ahead of advanced threats. As the digital economy grows exponentially, so does the complexity of cyber risks. Our participation at LEAP 2025 highlights our commitment to delivering hyper-resilient, automated security solutions that not only protect businesses but also accelerate their growth in an increasingly connected world. At SentinelOne, we believe in equipping enterprises with the tools to confidently embrace digital transformation without compromise. We enjoyed engaging with partners, customers, and industry leaders at LEAP, showcasing how our cutting-edge EDR, XDR, and ITDR solutions are enabling smarter, faster, and more secure innovations. Rami Beidas, country GM for Saudi Arabia at NTT DATA MEA At LEAP 2025, NTT DATA MEA has been showcasing a diverse range of innovative solutions that demonstrate the company's expertise in sports technology, IoT, robotics, healthcare, cybersecurity, and managed services. NTT DATA's senior executives took to the stage at the LEAP Conference, sharing insights on key industry topics. On February 11, Christian Koch, SVP of Cybersecurity for IoT/OT, Innovations and Business Development at NTT DATA, delivered a keynote titled 'Cybersecurity in Smart Cities: Safeguarding the Digital Pulse of Urban Life'. Additionally, on February 10, Prashil Gareeb, VP of Managed Networking and Collaboration Services at NTT DATA MEA, joined a panel discussion on 'The Future of Work: Intersection of Social Enterprises and Emerging Technologies'. NTT DATA MEA is showcasing advanced sports tech solutions designed to enhance fan engagement and sports operations. These solutions highlight advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and digital twin technologies. The company's recent partnership with Arsenal, and other prominent sporting organisations, emphasises the relevance of its offerings to Saudi Arabia, especially as the nation gears up to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. NTT DATA is also showcasing its healthcare solutions that aim to transform patient care and operational workflows, alongside its robust cybersecurity offerings designed to counter evolving digital threats. The company's comprehensive managed services portfolio will demonstrate its ability to optimize IT infrastructure and streamline operations, reinforcing its commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions. LEAP this year has been a great opportunity for us to engage with key stakeholders, including government entities, enterprises, and tech innovators, to demonstrate how our advanced offerings — spanning AI, IoT, smart cities, cloud, and cybersecurity — can support the region's strategic goals. We have been engaging with partners, showcasing our leadership in the technology landscape, and positioning NTT DATA as a trusted partner in delivering cutting-edge solutions to drive sustainable growth across industries in the kingdom. Harish Chib, VP of Emerging Markets, Middle East and Africa, Sophos At We are also highlighting our next-generation XGS Series firewalls, which use AI to enhance performance and detect sophisticated threats in real-time, providing organisations with robust and adaptive security. As first-time participants at LEAP, this has been a unique opportunity to reinforce Sophos' leadership in cybersecurity innovation, connect with industry professionals, and explore partnerships in this dynamic region. LEAP offers an unparalleled platform to share our vision, demonstrate how AI powers our solutions, and show how Sophos is empowering businesses to stay ahead of modern, AI-enabled threats. Ahmad Sidawi, country manager, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Genesys LEAP 2025 has been a great opportunity for us to present the future of customer experience and how Genesys is transforming this space through AI-powered Experience Orchestration. We're excited to showcase how the Genesys Cloud platform enables businesses to deliver personalised and seamless customer service across every touchpoint. With innovations in AI, chatbots, and analytics, we can help businesses improve engagement and enhance satisfaction. At LEAP, we've been demonstrating how companies can harness the power of intelligent automation to optimise their customer journeys, reduce operational costs, and drive growth. Read:
TECHx
08-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
e& UAE Advances AI Capabilities with New Private Cloud Deployment - TECHx Media e& UAE Advances AI Capabilities with New Private Cloud Deployment
e& UAE Advances AI Capabilities with New Private Cloud Deployment e& UAE, the telecommunications arm of e&, has successfully completed the first phase of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its private cloud infrastructure. This transformative initiative, powered by Intel's advanced AMX technology and Cisco's innovative networking and data center solutions, aims to enhance operational efficiency and drive AI use cases across e& UAE's operations. Developed in collaboration with Intel, Cisco, and e& UAE's cloud experts, the AI integration seeks to create a robust cloud environment capable of analyzing large datasets, optimizing operations by migrating AI workloads to the cloud, and developing AI-driven customer support use cases. This deployment will not only improve internal business performance but also elevate the overall customer experience in the UAE. Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology Officer of e& UAE, commented, 'By embedding AI into our private cloud infrastructure, we are transforming how we operate and deliver value at e& UAE. Collaborating with Intel and Cisco has helped us build a scalable, reliable cloud environment that supports our vision of becoming a truly AI-enabled organization.' Intel's Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX), integrated with Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, provides a scalable foundation for deploying AI at scale. AMX accelerates AI workloads, enhancing efficiency in machine learning processes, data analytics, and reducing resource consumption. This technology is crucial for enabling energy-efficient, scalable AI operations for e& UAE. Eng. Taha Khalifa, Intel Middle East & Africa General Manager, added, 'Intel and e& have a long history of innovation. With AMX capabilities, we're not just transforming IT environments; we're enabling sustainable AI operations that minimize power consumption, driving efficiency and sustainability.' Cisco played a vital role in providing the infrastructure to support e& UAE's AI cloud deployment. Through its UCS X-Series M7 Blade Servers with 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors and Cisco Nexus switches, Cisco ensures seamless connectivity, security, and scalability for e& UAE's AI-driven private cloud. Zayan Sadek, Managing Director, Service Provider – MEA, Cisco, remarked, 'Cisco's networking and data center solutions offer e& UAE a secure, scalable infrastructure to support AI workloads, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering innovation in the telecom sector.' This milestone aligns with e& UAE's broader AI strategy, which leverages AI and data analytics to drive operational excellence and advance sustainability. As e& UAE continues its journey to becoming an AI-driven organization, this integration lays the foundation for future technological advancements and long-term value creation.
Channel Post MEA
08-02-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
e& UAE Completes Phase One of Private AI Cloud Deployment
e& UAE has successfully completed the first phase of integrating AI into its private cloud for operations. This initiative, powered by Intel's advanced AMX technology and Cisco's cutting-edge networking and data centre solutions, aims to elevate e& UAE's operational efficiency by leveraging AI and developing AI use cases across its business operations. The integration of AI into e&'s private cloud was collaboratively developed by Intel, Cisco and e&'s cloud experts with the goal to create a robust cloud environment. The initiative aims to develop AI models for analysing large datasets on e&'s network, optimising operations by migrating AI workloads to the cloud, and creating customer support AI use cases. In addition, this deployment will help improve business performance within e&'s internal operations in the UAE, consequently enhancing their customer experience. Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology Officer of e& UAE, said: 'By embedding AI into our private cloud infrastructure, we are transforming how we operate and deliver value at e& UAE. This reflects our commitment to leveraging AI to go beyond enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborating with Intel and Cisco has allowed us to build a future-proof, scalable and reliable cloud environment that supports our vision of becoming a truly AI-enabled organisation. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a digital ecosystem that drives long-term value, adaptability and sustainable innovation across our operations.' Intel's Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX) is a built-in accelerator, integrated with Intel® Xeon® scalable processors. Engineered to handle AI workloads—including inference and fine-tuning on models with up to 20 billion parameters—these processors provide a compelling and scalable foundation for deploying AI at scale. AMX aims to enhance the performance and efficiency of e& UAE's computational workloads by optimising AI and machine learning processes, accelerating data analytics, and reducing resource consumption. This integration contributes to the development of scalable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient operations, allowing e& UAE to effectively run AI workloads. Eng. Taha Khalifa Intel Middle East & Africa General Manager: 'Intel and e& have a long history of working on innovative technologies. The new private cloud phase is enabled with the AMX capabilities from Intel, which allow the IT workloads to use AI accelerators for each and every application. This technology is not only a game changer in the IT environment but also is an AI enabler with sustainability in mind to minimise the power consumption thus maximising sustainability and power efficiency.' Cisco has been instrumental in equipping e& UAE with the infrastructure required to support its private AI cloud deployment, using the UCS X-Series M7 Blade Servers with the 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors and Cisco Nexus switches. This robust on-premises setup helps provide seamless connectivity, reliability, sovereignty and security, with the intent to serve as a foundation for a future-ready AI-powered cloud. Zayan Sadek, Managing Director, Service Provider – MEA, Cisco, said: 'Cisco's advanced networking and data centre solutions help provide e& UAE with a secure and scalable infrastructure that is designed to support modern AI workloads. The ultimate goal is to help e& UAE enhance operational efficiency, adapt to evolving market conditions, and foster innovation in the telecom industry.' Through this deployment, e& UAE is enhancing its technological capabilities to support its journey towards becoming an AI-driven organisation. This milestone aligns with the group's broader AI strategy, which focuses on leveraging AI and data analytics to drive operational excellence and advance sustainability initiatives. 0 0
