With Generative AI in action, the digital disruption has intensified in power and impact. In the last few years, the Middle East has grown to be a potential hub for cloud computing investment. On the other hand, AI is expected to add a value of $320 billion to the economy of Middle East by 2030. This showcases the dominance of AI and Cloud on the technology transformation of businesses operating across Middle East. This transformation process seems to be catalyzed by the Shenzen-based AI and cloud technology vendor, Tencent as stipulated by the firm in its Global Digital Ecosystem Summit of 2024.
Through this article we will now delve deep into the world of Tencent’s AI and cloud computing and the way it is committed to accelerate the tech-driven transformation of Middle East businesses.
Tencent’s Fleet Beyond Mainland China
During the digital summit of Tencent in China, the organization shed light on its front-running AI solutions, such as Digital Human, e-KYC, Knowledge Engine Platform, and others, to empower organizations, analysts, technology leaders, and media in the AI arena. Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent, Mr. Dowson Tong, brought forth the plans of the company to improve LLMs and invest more in research and development to identify rising digital challenges faced by enterprises globally. The AI vendor has promised to make its way beyond the Chinese territory to other countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Middle East’s Tech Transformation and Tencent’s Cloud AI
Tech-driven transfiguration is prioritized by several businesses in the Middle East, and AI is identified to be heading the transformation. The region is assumed to maximize the global benefits of AI by 2% by 2030, indicating Tencent’s scope in contributing to this maximization of AI by Middle Eastern organizations. The survey conducted by IDC forecasted the digital transformation spending of the Middle East region to reach around $59 billion by 2024. The META region has a clear zest for generic AI and GenAI, making it a perfect place for Tencent to deploy AI and cloud technology in digitally empowering enterprises. IDC predicts an annual spending of $238 billion on ICT in Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye in 2024. All these statistics reveal the great potential that the Middle East has in driving AI and Cloud based transformation for its best economic interests.
Tencent’s AI and cloud solutions are assumed to be contributing largely across industries like aviation, manufacturing, oil and gas, logistics, and many more to help the region flourish in terms of technological development. Tencent vendor is aiming at expanding its cloud business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia with a target of developing industries and AI in the Middle East region, demanding huge investment in data storage. Dowson proclaims- “We see a lot of potential in this market, so we will be increasing our investment.”
Tencent’s Offerings for the Middle East
Tencent, to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia. It will be delivering cloud storage services to gaming and entertainment companies initially. The firm recently launched an Arabic version of one of its popular mobile games, ‘Honor of Kings’, having more than 100 million users. Tencent’s AI in the Middle East is anticipating a grand expansion through artificial intelligence applications. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are extensively investing in AI-driven applications, including the development of language models in the Arabic language.
Identifying AI as the buzzword in the Middle East region, Tong has confirmed the aggressive investment of the company in this domain. Although some of the regional companies have already collaborated with Tencent in the Middle East, the AI vendor is looking forward to exploring the potential of generative AI with these collaborated firms. In this context, Tencent’s AI and cloud collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism can be exemplified here. Tencent Cloud is empowering Abu Dhabi’s digital ambassador for tourism and culture with its outstanding human solutions. The company is also focused on engaging millions of users in this region through WeChat.
The visionary strategic move of Tencent in spreading AI and cloud-driven transformations all across the Middle East has not only fueled the technological development of the region but also strengthened Tencent’s presence across industries. Hence, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Tencent’s AI and Cloud stand as the pillars of the Middle East’s Tech-driven development and change.
