Core42 Launches Self-Service AI Cloud at GITEX Global 2025
As artificial intelligence moves rapidly from research to production, the importance of sovereign compute has never been greater. Nations seeking digital independence now view data control as a cornerstone of national security. At GITEX Global 2025, Technology Express spoke with Edmondo Orlotti, Chief Growth Officer at Core42, to learn how the digital infrastructure arm of G42 is revolutionizing access to AI compute.
Through the Middle East’s first self-service sovereign AI Cloud, Core42 allows organizations to provision high-performance resources in minutes. The platform features the broadest range of AI accelerators, from NVIDIA H100 and AMD Instinct processors to Qualcomm Cloud AI chips and Cerebras Wafer-Scale Engines.
With five U.S. data centers housing nearly 40,000 GPUs and growing European operations through partnerships in France, Core42 is building a globally distributed AI infrastructure that maintains local governance and compliance at every step.
Democratizing Access to Sovereign AI Compute
Core42 is taking center stage at GITEX 2025 within the G42 District in AI Hall 6. “GITEX is always a special moment for us,” said Orlotti. “We have made several important announcements that reflect how far we have come in advancing sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure across the UAE and internationally.”
The company’s new AI Cloud platform enables users to register, verify, and access compute resources entirely online. “It allows users to purchase and provision infrastructure entirely online, giving them on-demand access to high-performance compute within sovereign environments,” Orlotti explained. The system uses a tiered vetting framework to ensure compliant GPU allocation.
This model eliminates manual setup and empowers enterprises, startups, and governments to deploy AI workloads instantly. Moreover, it mirrors the flexibility of global hyperscalers while preserving data sovereignty. Core42’s approach bridges agility and compliance, ensuring that innovation and governance coexist seamlessly.
By blending cloud agility with national assurance, the platform accelerates experimentation, training, and production. It offers flexible pricing, orchestration tools, and workload-based access — all designed for rapid AI development. Consequently, organizations can scale with confidence while adhering to the UAE’s stringent data sovereignty standards.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Globally
Building a sovereign AI cloud at a global scale brings complex technical and regulatory challenges. Core42 tackled these by re-engineering cloud architecture for compliance, scalability, and performance. “One of the biggest engineering hurdles has been achieving the agility and performance of global hyperscalers while ensuring that all data, workloads, and AI models remain within sovereign boundaries,” Orlotti said.
The company developed multi-accelerator orchestration and high-speed interconnects to support seamless scaling. Its Insight platform also ensures unified governance, compliance, and transparency across the entire AI ecosystem. Together, these innovations allow nations to build AI infrastructure rooted in trust and sovereignty.
Core42’s ambitions extend beyond the UAE. “International expansion has always been a big part of our roadmap,” Orlotti emphasized. Operating five data centers in the U.S. and a new partnership in France with Oréus, Core42 ensures each facility aligns with local governance and national regulations. “Wherever we deploy, our guiding principle stays consistent. Data remains local, governance is transparent, and compliance is absolute,” he added.
This model connects major innovation hubs across three continents, transforming Core42’s AI Cloud network into a global intelligence grid that delivers sovereign infrastructure with world-class performance.
Supporting the UAE’s AI Vision
Core42 plays a pivotal role in the UAE’s digital transformation. “The UAE has a very clear and forward-thinking vision for AI, one that focuses on innovation, collaboration, and capability building,” Orlotti noted. The company’s infrastructure ensures AI can scale securely and responsibly while aligning with the country’s data sovereignty principles.
By fostering both national capabilities and global partnerships, Core42 reinforces the UAE’s position as a trusted hub for AI innovation. “Our role is to help make that connection possible,” Orlotti said. “We build the platforms that allow AI solutions developed here to reach global scale while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and security.”
Ultimately, Core42’s work is not just about building infrastructure — it’s about enabling the UAE to lead the future of sovereign AI and setting a global benchmark for responsible technology ecosystems.
