Dubai, UAE October 2025
At GITEX Global 2025, Dr. Mohamed Madkour, Vice President of ICT Strategy at Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, emphasized that the Middle East particularly Saudi Arabia is leading one of the fastest digital transformations in the world, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and a new wave of ICT talent development aligned with Vision 2030.
A Fertile Ground for Digital Transformation
Dr. Madkour described the Gulf region as a “fertile soil” for innovation, where governments, enterprises, and technology providers are working hand-in-hand to reshape industries.
“This region is absolutely at the forefront,” he said. “You can feel the ambition of operators and enterprises in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and beyond. It’s a fantastic wave of transformation one of the highest levels of enterprise readiness for digital change I’ve ever seen.”
Huawei, he noted, has deployed many of its newest technologies in the region first—ranging from 5G Advanced networks and fiber innovations to AI-powered data centers reflecting the Gulf’s willingness to adopt and scale transformative technologies rapidly.
AI: The Core of True Transformation
“AI is not a topic anymore it’s a reality,” Dr. Madkour asserted.
He explained that genuine digital transformation cannot exist without integrating AI into its foundation:
“You cannot talk about transformation without AI. You cannot execute it without preparing for intelligence and future innovations.”
Huawei’s approach to AI is full-stack and comprehensive, spanning chips, storage, cloud infrastructure, and large language models. Yet, its true focus lies in diffusing AI across every corner of society and every industry from oil and gas to education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
A key example is the concept of the “Intelligent Campus,” where AI is embedded in every layer—from operations and maintenance to user experience and network optimization.
“AI agents now manage data centers and operations efficiently. Imagine a venue that automatically prioritizes bandwidth for VIP users or mission-critical meetings that’s real intelligence in action.”
Saudi Arabia: Turning Vision 2030 into an AI Reality
When discussing Saudi Arabia, Dr. Madkour praised its “bold and inspiring” Vision 2030.
“Saudi Arabia has one of the most comprehensive digital visions in the world, and Huawei is proud to be a partner in enabling it—from ICT foundations to AI deployment.”
Huawei has already established a cloud region in Saudi Arabia, offering services such as ModelArts and GaussDB, which bring AI and data management capabilities directly to Saudi enterprises.
He added that Huawei’s infrastructure, from connectivity to storage, is now AI-native, supporting smarter operations, better customer experiences, and higher energy efficiency.
“Our philosophy is simple: do more with less, and do it better. That’s how we make Vision 2030 a reality.”
Talent: The Missing Link in the AI Economy
Despite the strong infrastructure and government ambition, Dr. Madkour highlighted a regional challenge: the shortage of ICT and AI talent.
“If you have the infrastructure and the passion but lack the right talent, progress will slow. That’s why Huawei collaborates closely with governments and universities to nurture local digital skills.”
Huawei’s ICT Academy and talent development programs, he said, aim to create sustainable ecosystems of developers, engineers, and innovators who can drive AI adoption responsibly and effectively.
Sustainability and AI Efficiency
As Saudi Arabia and its neighbors pursue net-zero goals, Huawei is embedding sustainability into its ICT strategy.
“You cannot keep improving technology and harming the planet,” Dr. Madkour said. “We’re developing compact, virtualized data centers, energy-efficient storage, and solar-powered ICT solutions.”
He explained that Huawei’s OceanStor Pacific system minimizes energy use crucial for data-intensive AI workloads while the company continues to deploy renewable energy projects such as PV-powered smart villages to close the digital divide.
Open Ecosystem, Responsible AI
Dr. Madkour stressed Huawei’s commitment to AI ethics, security, and open collaboration:
“We don’t lock our ecosystem. Our platforms are standardized and open, inviting developers everywhere to innovate responsibly.”
He acknowledged that technology can be a “double-edged sword,” but emphasized Huawei’s use of AI to detect and prevent cyber threats such as ransomware protecting enterprises and citizens alike.
A Unified Path Toward an Intelligent Future
As Saudi Arabia advances toward an AI-driven economy, Huawei envisions itself not just as a vendor but as a strategic enabler—helping governments and industries across the Middle East and Central Asia unlock new efficiencies, opportunities, and sustainable growth.
“We’re no longer just an equipment provider,” Dr. Madkour concluded. “We are an infrastructure builder, a technology enabler, and a catalyst for an intelligent, sustainable future.”