Strategic partnership with AqlanX delivers sovereign AI infrastructure enabling complete data residency and independent model development
Dubai, UAE – November 20, 2025 – Katonic AI, provider of The Operating System for Sovereign AI, today announced its selection by AqlanX as the core technology platform for the Gulf region's first Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence. This partnership establishes sovereign AI infrastructure that enables the UAE to develop, train, and deploy AI applications and intelligent agents whilst maintaining complete data residency and operational independence.
The Centre, established through a consortium including Lakeba Group, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), AqlanX, and DoxAI, directly supports the UAE's National AI Strategy 2031 and was catalysed by the NextGen FDI initiative led by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The Centre was successfully inaugurated on November 19, 2025.
The inauguration was also attended by key VIP dignitaries, including John M Green, Chairman of UOW Global Enterprises; Abdulla Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of TECOM Group; Ahmed Hamzawy, Chief Partnership Officer at Microsoft UAE; Paul Priest, Australian Diplomat from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Moin Anwar, Trade and Investment Commissioner (Middle East) for the New South Wales Government, Australia.
Addressing Global Sovereign AI Movement
The partnership reflects a broader global shift toward AI sovereignty as nations seek to reduce dependence on foreign cloud platforms whilst maintaining technological competitiveness. Countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are increasingly prioritising local control over AI infrastructure and data processing capabilities in response to growing concerns about digital dependency and national security.
The partnership addresses growing national requirements for AI development without external cloud dependencies or data transfer beyond borders. Katonic AI's platform provides complete on-premises deployment capabilities supporting the full AI development lifecycle within UAE-controlled infrastructure.
"We selected Katonic AI because their platform uniquely enables true AI sovereignty whilst supporting the commercial pathways that transform university research into market-ready solutions," said Demetrio Russo, Co-Founder & CEO of AqlanX. "Our nation can now develop Arabic language models and deploy intelligent systems whilst maintaining absolute control over data processing and intellectual property, with direct routes from academic research to commercial deployment."
Prem Naraindas, Founder and CEO of Katonic AI, added: "Our platform ensures organisations can access enterprise-grade AI capabilities whilst maintaining complete operational sovereignty. The UAE can build world-class AI systems using their own infrastructure and data."
Technical Capabilities and Proven Experience
The platform delivers on-premises model development, Arabic language optimisation, multi-infrastructure deployment across various hardware configurations, multi-tenanted architecture supporting multiple organisations securely, and enterprise security frameworks supporting UAE regulatory requirements.
Katonic AI brings demonstrated sovereign AI deployment experience, including the recent launch of Pilipinas AI with ePLDT—the Philippines' largest telecommunications company—the Philippines' first sovereign AI solution stack enabling local enterprises to deploy AI whilst maintaining complete data jurisdiction. The company also serves as the technology foundation for Saudi Arabia's MODON AI Center of Excellence, supports research initiatives at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and partners with e& enterprise to deliver AI-powered products across the region. The company received Frost & Sullivan's 2023 Entrepreneurial Company of the Year award.
Implementation Framework
The partnership delivers capabilities across four strategic pillars: AI talent development through enterprise-grade tools for UOWD students and faculty; sovereign research operations enabling Arabic Large Language Models and specialised applications; commercial innovation pathways supporting research-to-market transformation including potential applications in healthcare AI, energy optimisation, and Islamic finance technology; and policy development contributing to responsible AI frameworks.
AqlanX leads regional strategy and commercialisation whilst Katonic AI provides core technology platform and deployment expertise. The Centre will serve as AqlanX's official R&D headquarters, operating in alignment with UAE national technology priorities.
Global Collaboration Model
The partnership establishes international AI cooperation that maintains sovereign control whilst enabling knowledge exchange. Operating under University of Wollongong academic leadership, the Centre ensures UAE ownership of AI infrastructure and intellectual property whilst supporting UAE-Australia technology cooperation.
"We are establishing infrastructure that enables the UAE to participate in global AI leadership whilst maintaining complete control over our technological capabilities," concluded both CEOs in a joint statement.
About Katonic AI Katonic AI provides The Operating System for Sovereign AI, enabling organisations to develop AI capabilities whilst maintaining complete data and infrastructure control. Founded in Sydney in 2020 with global headquarters in Dubai, the company specialises in on-premises AI infrastructure supporting enterprise and government data sovereignty requirements.
About AqlanX AqlanX serves as a national technology champion for the UAE, specialising in sovereign technology infrastructure development and strategic AI initiatives. The company focuses on commercialisation and regional scaling of advanced technologies whilst ensuring UAE maintains control over critical digital capabilities.
About us:
Katonic AI provides The Operating System for Sovereign AI, enabling organisations to develop AI capabilities whilst maintaining complete data and infrastructure control. Founded in Sydney in 2020 with global headquarters in Dubai, the company specialises in on-premises AI infrastructure supporting enterprise and government data sovereignty requirements.
