Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to the transformation of the UAE, fueling innovation in both government and business sectors. This shift towards a digital-first economy is being significantly advanced by e& enterprise, the digital transformation division of the global technology group e&. Khalid Murshed, the CEO of e& enterprise, spearheads the provision of advanced solutions that foster new opportunities in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Governments in the UAE are championing digital governance to foster innovation and diversify the economy. One key initiative is the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025, which e& enterprise supports through its partnership with the Ministry of Justice. This collaboration aims to streamline legal services, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency. Murshed emphasizes the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, stating that consolidated systems give citizens a single access point for various services, significantly improving the customer experience.

Murshed also highlights the potential of AI as a transformative force for economic growth. He notes that robust investments in AI are necessary to shift from basic digital services to advanced systems capable of real-time predictions and adaptations. This shift has the potential to enhance customer interactions and operational efficiency across vital sectors such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and retail. e& enterprise has already deployed over 250 AI and machine learning (ML) models, with more than 200 use cases, and established the GenAI Center of Excellence to further accelerate the adoption of generative AI technologies.

The private sector is increasingly recognizing digitization as a crucial driver for economic diversification. Companies are investing in digital solutions to streamline operations and create new revenue streams through e-commerce, fintech, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Murshed points out that digital tools are essential for businesses aiming to innovate and penetrate new markets. He emphasizes e& enterprise’s commitment to facilitating this transition by providing tangible solutions.

A notable example of this commitment is e&’s recent partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which involves a $1 billion (AED 3.6 billion) investment over the next six years. This investment aims to enhance cloud-driven innovation and digital transformation throughout the region, including training and certifying up to 60,000 individuals, of whom 6,000 will be UAE nationals, in cloud technologies and AI. This alliance supports the UAE’s Vision 2031, positioning the nation as a global economic hub.

Unveiled at GITEX this year, the strategic partnership with AWS aligns with the UAE’s goals for innovation. The collaboration will focus on core cloud services, including storage, computing, networking, cybersecurity, AI, and ML. Murshed underscores the growing importance of cloud adoption, noting that the Middle East’s cloud market is expected to reach $13 billion this year. He states that embracing cloud solutions is not only beneficial but necessary for businesses to adapt quickly to changing market demands, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

e& enterprise’s multi-cloud solutions enhance organizational agility, reduce maintenance costs, and allow for better integration with modern technologies. Additionally, Murshed discusses how IoT is revolutionizing efficiency across sectors such as utilities, manufacturing, and transportation, enabling the creation of digital twins to improve sustainability without disrupting operations. According to Gartner, 80 percent of customer service organizations will utilize GenAI to automate repetitive tasks by 2025.

Customer experience remains a fundamental aspect of digital transformation for e& enterprise. Murshed states that they view customer experience as essential for business success, emphasizing their focus on developing intelligent, dynamic engagement strategies that deliver real value. To this end, e& enterprise has launched GenAI solutions that automate complex operations and provide personalized outcomes tailored to specific industries.

With the increase in digital activities, cybersecurity has become a critical focus. e& enterprise’s cybersecurity branch, Help AG, provides businesses and governments with the necessary tools to establish a robust security infrastructure. This includes proactive threat detection, end-to-end encryption, and secure data storage to ensure compliance with security standards. Murshed highlights the importance of educating employees on the responsible implementation of AI systems, stressing that organizations must prioritize both the technical and ethical aspects of AI.

In partnership with global education leader Emeritus, e& enterprise has established the e& enterprise AI Academy to offer comprehensive AI education through in-person and online courses. Murshed acknowledges the unique challenges posed by the Middle East’s diverse languages, cultures, and market preferences in designing digital services. He emphasizes the need for solutions that resonate with local contexts, ensuring that technology deployment is aligned with regional nuances.

e& enterprise addresses this challenge by delivering highly localized solutions, customizing user interfaces, marketing strategies, and customer support to integrate deeply into the local fabric.