WWT invests $100m in Abu Dhabi’s Open Innovation AI

World Wide Technology (WWT), a leading privately held technology innovation company on the global stage, has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi-based startup Open Innovation AI. This significant investment forms a crucial element of WWT’s dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment strategy aimed at nurturing innovation. The collaboration will facilitate strategic partnerships by establishing an AI lab environment tailored for testing and validating state-of-the-art AI technologies, spanning from hardware development to proofs of concept.

As part of this partnership, Omar Mir, the President of WWT, assumes the role of Executive Board Member for Open Innovation AI. Leveraging his extensive expertise in AI and profound understanding of regional and international markets, Omar is uniquely positioned to guide Open Innovation AI in disrupting the global AI landscape and positioning the company at the forefront of the AI era.

This strategic move aims to bolster the existing global partnership between the two entities by integrating Open Innovation AI’s AI-OS platform with WWT’s world-class AI enablement and acceleration capabilities. Open Innovation AI will make use of WWT’s Advanced Technology Center (ATC), one of the world’s largest multi-OEM technology R&D labs, to drive innovative and disruptive AI outcomes across various sectors, from sustainability to education. This collaboration aligns seamlessly with WWT’s recently launched AI for Good initiative, which seeks to assist one million climate tech entrepreneurs in driving a sustainable future through technological innovation.

Open Innovation AI, a key player in the Made in Emirates strategy, is leading the charge in accelerating the AI lifecycle with its cutting-edge AI-OS platform, optimizing development time and reducing computational costs. This aligns perfectly with WWT’s vision to harness AI for transformative impact across diverse industries. Through this strategic alliance, Open Innovation AI and WWT aim to reshape the global AI landscape by offering innovative, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. Together, they intend to deliver world-leading AI solutions to a wide range of clients across various sectors in both public and private enterprises and institutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Omar Mir, President of WWT, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re truly at the start of the AI era, and I’m excited to join Open Innovation AI at this incredible time. The Open Innovation AI platform is smart, fast, and set up to drive business outcomes immediately. Paired with WWT’s AI expertise, we can now provide the full end-to-end AI stack for any customer. I am delighted to be driving transformational AI change together with Open Innovation AI and am looking forward to changing the AI landscape in education, sustainability, industry, government, and more.”

Dr. Abed Benaichouche, Co-Founder and CEO of Open Innovation AI, added, “Our collaboration with WWT is a major milestone in the global AI arena. With the financial support of WWT, use of its cutting-edge lab, and access to its global customers, we’re well positioned to enhance our AI solutions significantly. Omar’s appointment as Executive Board Member, leveraging his expertise in AI and the global market, reinforces our global expansion strategy. WWT’s investment also positions Abu Dhabi as a prominent AI destination, contributing to the city’s growing status in the global tech landscape. We take pride in our role in advancing Abu Dhabi as a hub for AI innovation.”