At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Christoph Schell, Intel’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, praised Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its significant role in the country’s digital transformation. Schell emphasized how the Kingdom’s growing tech sophistication and investments in digital infrastructure are shaping a new era of customized technology solutions.
Schell, who has a long history of working in the Middle East, described Saudi Arabia as being at a critical point in its technological and business development, particularly through the shift from monolithic products to custom solutions. He noted that Saudi businesses are increasingly demanding technology that meets their specific needs, such as products designed to withstand extreme temperatures on oil platforms or in peak summer heat.
Intel’s longstanding partnership with Saudi Arabia includes the creation of the first Open RAN (radio access network) development center in the country, a collaboration with Aramco Digital aimed at accelerating the Kingdom’s digital transformation. Schell stressed the importance of energy efficiency in scaling data centers and cloud operations, highlighting the country’s drive for responsible power management.
Schell also pointed out that innovation and bridging the digital divide are central to Saudi Arabia’s societal goals, with a particular focus on AI technologies. He emphasized the importance of AI models that are culturally aware and relevant to Saudi needs, ensuring that the outputs align with the country’s unique cultural and historical context.
