Cisco Announces New Strategic AI Initiatives in the Middle East

Rhea-AI Summary

Cisco (CSCO) has announced major strategic AI initiatives in the Middle East, marking significant expansion of its AI presence in the region. The company revealed several key partnerships including: joining HUMAIN's alliance to develop Saudi Arabia's AI infrastructure, extending partnership with G42 for AI innovation across UAE and US, and collaborating with AIP (AI Infrastructure Partnership) to drive global data center investments.

The announcements follow CEO Chuck Robbins' meetings with key Middle Eastern leaders and coincide with Jeetu Patel's participation in President Trump's state visit. AIP aims to unlock $30 billion in capital from investors and corporations. The initiatives build upon Cisco's recent AI developments, including an expanded partnership with Nvidia, launch of an open-source security model, and establishment of a $1 billion Global AI Investment Fund.

Positive

• Strategic partnerships with major AI players in Middle East (HUMAIN, G42) positioning Cisco as a key player in the region's AI infrastructure development
• Participation in AIP's $30 billion capital unlocking initiative for AI infrastructure investment
• Extension of existing partnership with G42 including potential joint Go-To-Market initiative
• Recent launch of $1B Global AI Investment Fund showing strong commitment to AI development

Negative

• None.

Insights

Global Technology Strategist

Cisco positions itself as a central player in Middle East's AI infrastructure development through strategic partnerships that could drive long-term growth.

Cisco's announcement represents a significant strategic pivot to capitalize on the Middle East's emerging role in global AI development. The company is smartly leveraging its networking expertise to secure a foundational position in what could become one of the world's most ambitious AI infrastructure buildouts.

The partnership with Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN is particularly noteworthy as it connects Cisco directly to the Kingdom's massive sovereign wealth investments in technology diversification. Similarly, extending collaborations with G42 in the UAE establishes Cisco in another wealthy Gulf nation aggressively pursuing technological leadership.

What's strategically intelligent about these moves is how Cisco is positioning itself at the infrastructure layer of the AI stack - the foundation upon which all AI applications will run. By focusing on secure, efficient network architecture rather than competing directly in the more crowded AI application space, Cisco is playing to its core strengths.

The collaboration with AIP (AI Infrastructure Partnership) to unlock $30 billion in capital investments signals that Cisco is taking a consortium approach alongside powerhouses like BlackRock, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. This minimizes Cisco's direct capital expenditure while still securing a seat at the table.

These initiatives align with Cisco's existing enterprise-focused strategy while opening new revenue channels in rapidly developing economies. The timing is particularly strategic as Gulf nations are aggressively diversifying away from oil dependence through technology investments. By embedding itself in the early infrastructure planning stages, Cisco positions itself for sustained long-term contracts as these ambitious AI initiatives mature.

News Summary:

• Cisco to join HUMAIN's alliance to build Saudi Arabia's future AI Infrastructure.
• Cisco and G42 extend their strategic partnership to drive AI innovation across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States.
• Cisco to collaborate with AIP (AI Infrastructure Partnership) to drive investment in data centers and AI infrastructure in the United States and globally.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cisco, the global leader in networking and security, today announced a series of strategic initiatives across all phases of the AI revolution in the United States and in the Middle East region. These new initiatives place Cisco at the center of the AI revolution in the Gulf, providing world class and trusted technology together with other Cisco partners.   

Partnering in the Middle East to Build the AI-powered Future
The announcements this morning follow the visit last week by CEO Chuck Robbins to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, and the visit today by Jeetu Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer, to Saudi Arabia, where he is participating in President Trump's state visit to the region.   

During his tour of the region, Chuck Robbins met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, Shiekh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, National Security Advisor of Bahrain, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamed, as well as other senior officials and dignitaries.

These high-level meetings built on the decades of Cisco's deep partnerships in these countries with a particular focus now on supporting secure and trustworthy buildouts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, AI innovation, research, and talent development.

"The Gulf region's AI revolution is truly impressive, and Cisco is proud to play a key role in ensuring it is implemented intelligently, securely, and with trusted partners to drive maximum value for governments, businesses, and consumers. I am confident in Cisco's ability to help lead the way in the AI revolution and believe these new announcements exemplify that posture and positioning," Robbins said following the visit.

"The pace of AI innovation today is unprecedented, and yet, what we're able to do today is just a fraction of what will be possible in just a few years," said Jeetu Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. "For countries, organizations, and industries, the time to invest in key infrastructure, AI safety and security, and new skill development is now. Cisco is developing the critical technologies of the AI-era, and we're thrilled to be working across the Gulf to maximize their impact."

Today's announcements feature major investments and strategic partnerships, including:

• AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP): Cisco today announced that it will collaborate with the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), which is led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), MGX, Microsoft, NVIDIA and xAI. AIP will initially seek to unlock $30 billion in capital from investors, asset owners, and corporations. Cisco's addition as a technology partner to AIP, further strengthens the AIP platform as it seeks to invest in secure, efficient and scalable infrastructure to support AI workloads.
• Cisco, HUMAIN and expanded partnerships in Saudi Arabia: Cisco has announced to join a groundbreaking initiative with HUMAIN, Saudi Arabia's new AI enterprise to help build the world's most open, scalable, resilient and cost-efficient AI infrastructure. This landmark collaboration will set a new standard for how AI infrastructure is designed, secured and delivered – combining Cisco's global expertise with the Kingdom's bold AI ambitions. The multi-year initiative aims to position the country as a global leader in digital innovation.
• Cisco and G42: Cisco to extend strategic partnership with G42 to further advance AI innovation and infrastructure development in the UAE. The collaboration focuses on Cisco's comprehensive secure AI portfolio and AI-native solutions and services and G42's deep regional roots, AI infrastructure expertise, and expanding global footprint including a potential joint Go-To-Market initiative.
• Qatar's Digital Transformation: Qatar's Ministry of Interior and Cisco signed a letter of intent to collaborate on Qatar's digital transformation, AI, infrastructure development and cybersecurity.

These announcements follow Cisco's other recent AI initiatives, including:

• Expanded Partnership with Nvidia to Accelerate AI Adoption in the Enterprise
• Release of AI's First Open-Source Security Model
• Cisco Unveils AI Defense to Secure the AI Transformation of Enterprises
• Cisco Launches $1B Global AI Investment Fund

About Cisco 
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world.  With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience.  With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on the Cisco Newsroom. 

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among others, statements regarding Cisco's future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, including the anticipated timing, consummation and expected benefits of its plans in Saudi Arabia. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including, among other things, the ability of Cisco to achieve expected benefits of its investments, business and economic conditions and growth trends, increased competition, global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment and other risk factors set forth in Cisco's most recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, respectively. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based on limited information currently available to Cisco, which is subject to change, and Cisco will not necessarily update the information. 

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SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What are the main AI partnerships announced by Cisco (CSCO) in May 2025?

Cisco announced partnerships with HUMAIN in Saudi Arabia, G42 in UAE, and joined the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) which aims to unlock $30 billion in capital investments.

How much is Cisco's Global AI Investment Fund worth?

Cisco has launched a $1 billion Global AI Investment Fund as part of its AI initiatives.

What is the purpose of Cisco's partnership with HUMAIN in Saudi Arabia?

The partnership aims to build the world's most open, scalable, resilient and cost-efficient AI infrastructure, helping position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in digital innovation.

Who did Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins meet during his Middle East visit in 2025?

Robbins met with key leaders including the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister of Qatar, and National Security Advisor of Bahrain, among other officials.

What is the goal of Cisco's collaboration with AIP?

The collaboration with AIP aims to invest in secure, efficient and scalable infrastructure to support AI workloads, with AIP initially seeking to unlock $30 billion in capital from investors.