IBM has signed an agreement with Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) to launch IBM Watson to the Middle East and North America (MENA).
The companies will deliver Watson cloud-based cognitive computing to healthcare, retail, education, banking and finance organizations.
The company said broad regional ecosystem of partners, entrepreneurs, start-ups and app developers will apply Watson in innovative ways throughout MENA.
Mubadala will capitalize on investment opportunities in various industries such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy and strengthen its competitive position.
Meanwhile, IBM will draw on Mubadala’s regional market knowledge to drive the adoption of cognitive computing technology across MENA.
IBM and Mubadala will also leverage the technology to help individuals and health professionals to make personalized, data-driven health decisions.
Company officials said Mubadala and IBM will establish the joint venture, through Mubadala’s wholly owned information technology services subsidiary Injazat, which will be the preferred provider of Watson technology in the region.
“This new joint venture with IBM will put both the UAE and broader MENA region on the leading edge for adoption of this breakthrough technology,” said Homaid Al Shemmari, CEO of Aerospace & Engineering Services at Mubadala.
“This collaboration is another important demonstration of IBM’s commitment to bringing Watson to all corners of the world and accelerating adoption of cognitive computing as the new technology standard for innovation,” said Mike Rhodin, senior vice president, IBM Watson.
In May, Woodside utilized IBM Watson to use predictive data to maintain a strong competitive advantage.
Also, Talkspace deployed IBM Watson to select therapists for its clients and to improve the delivery of mental health treatment.
Shilpa Khatri
