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stc Group, the region’s leading digital enabler, has announced a strategic collaboration with Cohere, a secure enterprise AI company, to transform the AI landscape in the Middle East and beyond. This collaboration is set to redefine stc’s AI-driven operations, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new digital growth opportunities through state-of-the-art AI solutions.

Under the collaboration, stc will leverage Cohere’s cutting-edge AI capabilities to develop transformative products as part of its internal gen AI initiative. The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers.

As part of the efforts, stc will work with Cohere to develop North for Telecom, a customized version of Cohere’s North, a secure AI workspace platform announced earlier this year. North for Telecom will be tailored to address the unique needs of the sector, providing intelligent automation, enhanced conversational experiences, and real-time data insights. Meanwhile, the Digital Co-Workers Foundry will introduce AI-driven virtual assistants designed to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and support stc’s workforce with intelligent automation solutions.

“As a leader in digital transformation, stc continues to invest in advanced AI technologies that will shape the future of our industry. Our collaboration with Cohere represents a significant milestone in our AI journey, reinforcing our vision to harness AI-driven intelligence, enhance operational capabilities, and introduce innovative AI solutions that create tangible value,” said Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj, group chief technology officer at stc Group.

Motaz Alangari, group chief investment officer at stc Group, added: “stc Group strategically invests in pioneering companies that unlock access to transformative technologies, new business models, and enhanced revenue streams. This collaboration aligns with tali ventures, stc’s corporate venture capital arm, which plays a key role in fostering technological advancement and investing in next-generation innovations that complement stc’s digital ecosystem.

“Cohere is a global leader in secure enterprise AI, and our investment in this collaboration facilitates access to enterprise-grade AI solutions, positioning stc to maximize AI’s potential across its product and service offerings.”

Cohere will bring its expertise in enterprise AI models and applications to stc’s ecosystem, ensuring faster adoption and optimization of AI capabilities across stc’s digital infrastructure.

“It’s been great working closely with stc’s team,” said Aidan Gomez, Cohere’s co-founder and CEO. “I’m really excited to bring our secure AI technology to enhance its role as a digital enabler. We look forward to collaborating with stc and integrating Cohere’s enterprise AI solutions to lift grunt work off the backs of their employees so they can focus more on the areas of their jobs where they can add real value.” 

This collaboration underscores stc’s commitment to being at the forefront of AI-driven innovation, fostering a digital-first economy, and shaping the future of intelligent technology in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

At LEAP 2025, Cisco, a global leader in networking and security, unveiled a series of strategic initiatives to advance AI in partnership with the Kingdom. By introducing advanced cloud data centers, AI talent development, and phased plans for local manufacturing, Cisco is deepening its commitment and strengthening its partnership with Saudi Arabia. These initiatives are designed to enhance Cisco’s regional presence and support the Kingdom’s ambitious digitization goals under Vision 2030, accelerating its evolution into a technology-driven economy.

“Our partnership with Cisco highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to accelerating its digital economy through innovation. These initiatives will enhance Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness both regionally and internationally by promoting innovation and the adoption of AI and cloud computing technologies.” said Vice Minister at the Saudi Ministry of Communications and IT Haytham Alohali.

“Cisco is proud to partner with the Kingdom to accelerate its Vision 2030,” said Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins. “Through our investments and innovation, we are protecting organizations, preparing the Saudi workforce for the AI era, and contributing to the local economy and manufacturing ecosystem. Together, we will pave the way for a more connected and secure future.” 

“By aligning with key initiatives of Vision 2030, Cisco is committed to being a catalyst for digital transformation across various sectors in the Kingdom. As these projects advance, they will help strengthen digital infrastructure and drive economic growth to positively shape Saudi Arabia’s future,” said Salman Faqeeh, managing director, Cisco Saudi Arabia.

Delivering on its commitment, Cisco announced that its data centers for cloud security services as well as the Webex Collaboration Platform are now operational.

The security data center underpins Cisco’s cloud-based security services including its new secure service edge solution, Cisco Secure Access and Umbrella DNS. The center helps customers protect their users, infrastructure, and investments against threat actors and empowers them with flexible security services and data protection for devices, remote users, and distributed locations.

The collaboration data centers bring extensive services from the Webex suite such as meetings and calling closer to customers in the Kingdom and region.

Cisco will continue to advance AI and digital skills across the region as part of its Country Digital Acceleration program, aligning with the goals of the Saudi Research and Development National Strategy. In collaboration with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the company will invest in additional Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certifications, one of the industry’s most widely recognized and respected certifications, to enhance the Kingdom’s talent pool of highly skilled local IT professionals that can support complex networking infrastructures in the AI era.

Initially launched in the Kingdom in 2016, Cisco’s CDA program supports digitization efforts across key industries, fostering digital skills and developing the innovation ecosystem in the country. To date, the program has implemented more than 20 projects of national impact across vital sectors.

With a regional head office in Riyadh, Cisco intends to build on its long-standing partnerships in the Kingdom by initiating a manufacturing base, with groundwork beginning in 2025. The initial phase will focus on fulfillment operations for wireless technologies to meet local demand, with the intent to scale up in response to evolving market needs.