Nvidia, the leading technology company in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics processing, has just announced a groundbreaking partnership with Qatari telecoms group Ooredoo. This partnership signifies Nvidia’s first major-scale launch in the Middle East, an area where American chip exports have been restricted to prevent Chinese companies from using it as a gateway to access advanced AI technology.
Through this partnership, Ooredoo will have the exclusive ability to deploy Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI and graphics processing technology in its data centers located in Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait, and the Maldives. Ooredoo’s CEO, Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, expressed the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Our b2b clients, thanks to this agreement, will have access to services that probably their competitors [won’t] for another 18 to 24 months.”
The exact details of the agreement, including its value and the specific Nvidia technology being installed, have not been disclosed. However, Fakhroo emphasized that the technology provided by Nvidia will greatly enhance Ooredoo’s ability to assist its clients in deploying generative AI applications. This partnership will undoubtedly give Ooredoo a competitive edge in the region’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.
It is important to note that while some Nvidia technology is permitted for export to the Middle East, the export of the company’s most advanced chips is restricted. This agreement, therefore, marks a significant milestone in Ooredoo obtaining access to Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI technology.
Furthermore, Ooredoo is making substantial investments to expand its regional data center capacity. With a current capacity of 40 megawatts, Ooredoo plans to invest $1 billion to increase this capacity by an additional 20-25 megawatts. Fakhroo also revealed plans to triple their data center capacity by the end of the decade. This expansion underscores Ooredoo’s commitment to positioning itself as a key player in the region’s growing tech infrastructure.
In addition to Ooredoo’s data center expansion plans, the company has also made strategic moves to separate its data centers, tower infrastructure, and undersea cables and fiber network into distinct entities. This restructuring demonstrates Ooredoo’s dedication to specialized operations and its vision for a more streamlined and efficient technological future.
This partnership between Nvidia and Ooredoo represents a significant leap forward in bringing advanced AI technologies to the Middle East. It not only positions Ooredoo as a major player in the region but also highlights the increasing demand for cutting-edge AI solutions across various industries. The effects of this collaboration are likely to be far-reaching, as businesses in the Middle East gain access to advanced AI capabilities that will drive innovation and transform industries.
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