As AI adoption accelerates across the Middle East, Tolga Özdil, Regional Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS, explains why infrastructure flexibility, data security, and industry-specific requirements must guide how organisations deploy AI.
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence is prompting organisations to reconsider how they invest in and manage their technology infrastructure. Beyond the capabilities of AI applications themselves, businesses must determine where workloads should run, how sensitive information is handled, and whether their existing environments can support new operational requirements.
Tolga Özdil, Regional Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS, discusses how these decisions begin with recognising that AI infrastructure cannot follow a uniform approach. “Organisations should have the freedom to select the type of infrastructure to run AI tools according to the task and the sensitivity of the data. Certain workloads might benefit from cloud services while others can take advantage of on-device processing,” he says.
This is becoming increasingly relevant as organisations weigh the benefits of cloud-based computing against the greater control offered by processing certain workloads locally.
“ASUS’s commercial portfolio is designed to support hybrid AI workflows, and AI PCs can process some activities locally to minimise latency and keep any confidential data securely inside devices,” explains Özdil.
Yet flexibility in deployment is only one consideration. As AI capabilities become more widely integrated into workplace technologies, businesses must also ensure that their IT teams can maintain oversight of devices, applications, and sensitive enterprise information.
“However, flexibility alone cannot fulfil business needs, as security and efficient management also play vital roles. Businesses need assurance regarding the protection of critical enterprise-level data, along with seamless management and deployment by the IT department,” he says.
For enterprises, the implication is that AI adoption must be supported by infrastructure that accommodates performance requirements without compromising established expectations around security and manageability.
Different industries, different priorities
The requirements become more varied when AI adoption is considered across industries. While enterprises, educational institutions, and healthcare organisations are exploring ways to incorporate AI into their operations, the technology must address different challenges in each environment.
Özdil sees opportunities for AI to support a broad range of activities, but stresses that its application must reflect the needs of individual organisations.
“AI can be leveraged for improved collaboration within organisations, facilitating better learning experience implementations, and providing essential tools for healthcare professionals in their respective areas. ASUS offers a variety of commercial products ranging from AI-enabled PCs to workstations,” says Özdil.
The breadth of these applications also highlights why technology selection must account for factors beyond processing power alone. Cost, security, performance, and the needs of end users can vary considerably between sectors.
“Every business operates differently and therefore requires different technology solutions. Take schools, for example. They want cost-effective solutions for both educators and students. Organisations want technologies that provide protection while still ensuring maximum performance,” he says.
For ASUS, responding to these differences involves working with organisations to understand their requirements and identify appropriate technologies, rather than approaching every deployment with the same set of capabilities.
“Here in the Middle East, ASUS collaborates with local enterprises and partners to discover the relevant use cases and deploy appropriate technological solutions,” explains Özdil. “With AI technologies becoming increasingly prevalent, we focus on delivering AI capabilities that are functional, secure and flexible for any industry.”
Building a connected AI ecosystem
Having participated at AI Everything, Özdil highlights the importance of industry platforms in bringing together stakeholders and fostering partnerships that support the region’s AI ambitions.
“It requires cooperation between different entities in order to achieve successful progress. Participating in events such as AI Everything provides opportunities for businesses, governments, researchers and local innovators to engage in dialogue about their challenges and seek potential partnership possibilities,” he says.
He also sees such gatherings as an opportunity to connect regional priorities with international expertise and strengthen relationships across the wider technology ecosystem.
“These events play a vital role in aligning local requirements with global experience while promoting the local scene in front of the international community. For ASUS, taking part is an opportunity to establish relationships and collaborate with various customers in the UAE and the rest of the region,” says Özdil.
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