Cisco Announces New Strategic AI Initiatives in the Middle East

Cisco, the global leader in networking and security, has announced a series of strategic initiatives across all phases of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution in the United States and in the Middle East. These new initiatives place Cisco at the centre of the AI revolution in the Gulf, providing world class and trusted technology together with other Cisco partners.

Partnering in the Middle East to Build the AI-Powered Future

Cisco’s announcements follow the visit last week by CEO Chuck Robbins to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. It also follows the visit by Jeetu Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer, to Saudi Arabia, where he is participating in US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the region.

During his tour of the region, Chuck Robbins met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, Shiekh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, National Security Advisor of Bahrain, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamed, as well as other senior officials and dignitaries.

These high-level meetings built on the decades of Cisco’s deep partnerships in these countries, with a particular focus now on supporting secure and trustworthy buildouts of AI infrastructure, AI innovation, research, and talent development.

“The Gulf region’s AI revolution is truly impressive, and Cisco is proud to play a key role in ensuring it is implemented intelligently, securely, and with trusted partners to drive maximum value for governments, businesses, and consumers. I am confident in Cisco’s ability to help lead the way in the AI revolution and believe these new announcements exemplify that posture and positioning,” Robbins said following the visit.

“The pace of AI innovation today is unprecedented, and yet, what we’re able to do today is just a fraction of what will be possible in just a few years,” said Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer at Cisco. “For countries, organizations, and industries, the time to invest in key infrastructure, AI safety and security, and new skill development is now. Cisco is developing the critical technologies of the AI-era, and we’re thrilled to be working across the Gulf to maximize their impact.”

The announcements feature major investments and strategic partnerships, including:

• AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP): Cisco announced that it will collaborate with the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), which is led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), MGX, Microsoft, NVIDIA and xAI. AIP will initially seek to unlock USD $30 billion in capital from investors, asset owners, and corporations. Cisco’s addition as a technology partner to AIP, further strengthens the AIP platform as it seeks to invest in secure, efficient and scalable infrastructure to support AI workloads.
• Cisco, HUMAIN and expanded partnerships in Saudi Arabia: Cisco has announced to join a groundbreaking initiative with HUMAIN, Saudi Arabia’s new AI enterprise to help build the world’s most open, scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient AI infrastructure. This landmark collaboration will set a new standard for how AI infrastructure is designed, secured and delivered—combining Cisco’s global expertise with the Kingdom’s bold AI ambitions. The multi-year initiative aims to position the country as a global leader in digital innovation.
• Cisco and G42: Cisco to extend strategic partnership with G42 to further advance AI innovation and infrastructure development in the UAE. The collaboration focuses on Cisco’s comprehensive secure AI portfolio and AI-native solutions and services and G42’s deep regional roots, AI infrastructure expertise, and expanding global footprint including a potential joint Go-To-Market initiative.
• Qatar’s Digital Transformation: Qatar’s Ministry of Interior and Cisco signed a letter of intent to collaborate on Qatar’s digital transformation, AI, infrastructure development and cybersecurity.

These announcements follow Cisco’s other recent AI initiatives, including:

• Expanded Partnership with Nvidia to Accelerate AI Adoption in the Enterprise
• Release of AI’s First Open-Source Security Model
• Cisco Unveils AI Defense to Secure the AI Transformation of Enterprises
• Cisco Launches $1B Global AI Investment Fund