Cognite Driving Industrial AI in the Middle East with Abu Dhabi Expansion
Cognite, a recognised leader in industrial AI, has announced the incorporation of a new entity in Abu Dhabi, underscoring its commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the region. This strategic move aligns with the United Arab Emirates’ ambition to position itself as a world leader in AI adoption, particularly in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
By establishing a local centre for expertise, technology, and customer support, Cognite aims to meet surging demand from some of the region’s largest industrial players. With energy producers, manufacturers, and infrastructure operators increasingly looking to unlock efficiency gains, the company’s decision marks a pivotal moment for industrial digitalisation in the Middle East.
Enabling AI-Driven Industrial Transformation
The Abu Dhabi hub will serve as a focal point for deploying Cognite’s advanced AI solutions, already in use by leading enterprises to optimise operations, enhance safety, and reduce emissions.
Bernard Looney, board member at XRG, an international energy investment firm based in Abu Dhabi, commented: “Cognite’s AI solutions are a game-changer for industry. In my experience, they are the pre-requisite foundation for the application of any form of AI, helping drive improved safety, emissions, and performance. I am delighted with Cognite’s new presence in the UAE – a country at the very forefront of global AI leadership.”
With this expansion, Cognite is positioning itself to co-innovate with local partners, tailoring AI applications to the unique challenges and opportunities of the Gulf region’s industrial landscape.
AI Agents and Data Fusion at the Core
Cognite’s approach to industrial AI centres around AI agents—specialised tools designed to generate actionable insights and automate repetitive, resource-intensive tasks. These agents are powered by Cognite Data Fusion®, a secure and scalable platform that makes industrial data AI-ready.
The system integrates seamlessly with Cognite Atlas AI™, a low-code workbench that enables industrial teams to create, deploy, and expand AI-driven workflows without the need for extensive coding expertise. This combination of robust data architecture and accessible AI tools provides industries with the agility to adapt to evolving market conditions.
Girish Rishi, CEO of Cognite, highlighted the significance of the UAE expansion: “The UAE is leading the world in ambition and action around industrial AI. Cognite is establishing a presence in the UAE to anchor our access and response to industrial customers, so we can co-innovate with our incredible talent on the ground.”
UAE’s Strategic Push in AI
The UAE government has made industrial AI a strategic priority, investing heavily in research, development, and infrastructure to attract global innovators. Initiatives such as the National AI Strategy 2031 aim to integrate AI into every major sector, from oil and gas to renewable energy.
Abu Dhabi, in particular, has emerged as a focal point for AI-driven innovation, offering a supportive regulatory framework, access to world-class talent, and proximity to some of the world’s largest industrial enterprises.
Showcasing Industrial AI Innovation
Cognite’s commitment to knowledge sharing is evident through its upcoming global Industrial AI and Data Conference, Impact 2025. The event will bring together industry leaders to discuss how agentic AI is reshaping operations, from predictive maintenance to real-time decision-making.
Delegates can expect to see practical demonstrations of how AI agents can integrate into existing industrial systems to improve operational efficiency, safety compliance, and environmental performance.
GenAI for Industry – Secure, Scalable, and Sustainable
Cognite has built its reputation on making Generative AI (GenAI) practical and secure for asset-heavy industries. Its platform is designed to deliver trustworthy, real-time data across complex operations, enabling collaboration between field teams and remote operations centres.
Industries that have traditionally relied on manual, siloed data processing can now leverage AI to achieve:
- Enhanced asset performance and uptime
- Improved safety and compliance
- Reduced environmental impact
- Faster and more informed decision-making
By integrating AI at the core of operations, companies can unlock sustainable profitability while meeting stringent environmental targets.
Looking Ahead – Building a Smarter Industrial Future
With its Abu Dhabi entity, Cognite is not only expanding its global footprint but also reinforcing the UAE’s status as a magnet for cutting-edge industrial technology. This move is set to accelerate AI adoption across critical sectors, creating a ripple effect of innovation and competitiveness in the region.
As more companies embrace AI-driven transformation, the UAE is poised to lead a new era of industrial efficiency, sustainability, and growth.
