Why AI sovereignty demands trusted partners, not just technology

Across the Middle East, governments are shifting away from relying on pre-built AI tools and platforms from external providers. The next step is to develop sovereign AI infrastructure, cultivate domestic talent, and establish governance to own and control AI technology in the long run. TELUS Digital and TELUS Health, both divisions of TELUS, a prominent Canadian telecommunications and global technology corporation, have invested over a decade in cultivating their own AI expertise.

Since 2023, TELUS has delivered more than $600 million in quantifiable AI-driven advantages, established Canada's inaugural sovereign AI factory, housing the nation's swiftest and most potent supercomputer according to the TOP500 list, attained the world's maiden Privacy by Design certification for a generative AI solution, and is among only 20 entities globally in the OECD's Pilot Framework for Advanced AI Systems.

TELUS Digital and TELUS Health employ this foundation within their respective domains of enterprise AI, digital transformation, and healthcare technology. Tobias Dengel, President of TELUS Digital, a global technology service provider specializing in AI-powered digital customer experiences and future-oriented digital transformations, stated, "There's growing interest across the Middle East to collaborate with full-service partners capable of supporting everything from strategy to designing and constructing digital experiences, AI platforms, and customer solutions on a grand scale."

Dengel remarked, "That's precisely where we excel, combining consulting and product strategy with deep expertise in AI, computer vision, and automation to assist our clients in constructing intelligent, forward-looking experiences." Organizations seeking assurance before trusting AI in critical scenarios necessitate dependable partners.

TELUS Digital provides the hard-earned insights of Canadian and U.S. entities deploying AI at scale while adhering to stringent safety and security protocols, supported by a proven track record in regulated sectors, to guide clients from foundational preparedness to complete AI implementation. Across the Middle East, governments and corporations are actively seeking global collaborators who can support the comprehensive AI lifecycle responsibly.

TELUS Digital distinguishes itself in this regard. The company operates in more than 35 countries worldwide and recently established a new office in Dubai. In the region, TELUS Digital offers an extensive range of digital transformation and AI services, encompassing front-end experience design, strategy consulting, and enterprise AI solutions tailored to support large-scale government and private sector undertakings.

Tobias Dengel added, "The magnitude of ambition and dedication to digitization in the Middle East is truly inspiring. We perceive the region as one of the most promising global markets, distinguished by rapid expansion, a robust investment landscape, proactive government backing for AI, and an opportunity to attain a leading global position."

To unleash AI's full potential, organizations necessitate enterprise-grade platforms, trusted data flows, and infrastructure engineered for reliability and security. For many entities, this entails modernizing their digital infrastructure before introducing advanced AI safely and sustainably. Tobias Dengel remarked, "Our clients demand certainty before they'll trust AI in mission-critical environments."

"TELUS Digital brings the hard-won perspective of Canadian and U.S. organizations deploying AI at scale while upholding rigorous safety and security standards, backed by a track record in regulated industries, to help clients transition from foundational readiness to full AI deployment." The ultimate objective of digital capabilities lies in the impact on citizens, encompassing long-term talent development.

By constructing and operating digital and AI platforms domestically, nations can ensure that the skills, expertise, and value generated remain embedded within the economy. This viewpoint reflects an increasing alignment between UAE and Canadian priorities around trusted digital infrastructure, responsible AI, and skills development.

Robust digital ecosystems also translate into concrete benefits such as 24/7 government services, institutions resilient to cyber threats, and competitive advantages in high-value domains like education, workforce development, and healthcare. TELUS Digital's Middle East operation is structured to facilitate such endeavors across various sectors including energy, transportation, logistics, education, financial services, telecom, media, hospitality, and retail.

In the healthcare sector, AI has the potential to enhance secure data management, analyze extensive datasets, improve clinical, operational, and administrative outcomes, and strengthen collaboration between human expertise and digital systems. Mohamed El-Demerdash, President of TELUS Health, a global health technology innovator serving approximately 159 million individuals across 200 countries and territories, stated, "Trust in healthcare is more critical and scrutinized than almost any other sector.

Secure, integrated digital platforms can facilitate better coordination among clinicians, promote prevention-oriented approaches, and enhance access, including for mental health and wellbeing services, while safeguarding personal health information." Leveraging global expertise, TELUS Health views scalable and secure digital systems as a vital catalyst for sustainable healthcare transformation.