“AI has been in Google’s DNA from the beginning – we are an AI-first company” – Tarek Khalil, Google Cloud

“AI has been in Google’s DNA from the beginning – we are an AI-first company” – Tarek Khalil, Google Cloud

CNME Editor Mark Forker secured an exclusive interview with Tarek Khalil, Director, Middle East & North Africa, Google Cloud, to find out how the tech giant has become the undoubted partner of choice for governments and businesses seeking transformation across the region, the challenges facing some enterprises – and how the culture of innovation that is fostered by Google allows it to produce innovative products and solutions.

Tarek Khalil is one of the most respected and revered IT leaders in the Middle East.

Khalil has enjoyed a decorated career across the Middle East region, one that has seen him work with renowned technology and IT behemoths.

Tarek joined Google in 2012 and in the 11 years that have elapsed since then, Khalil has played a pivotal role in ensuring that Google Cloud has become the ‘cloud partner of choice’ for governments, entities and enterprises all over the region.

He has helped cultivate, shape, manage and nurture Google’s cloud journey during the last decade.

CNME were delighted to secure an interview with Khalil, which was conducted at Google’s Innovation Hub in Dubai Internet City.

Khalil began the conversation by providing context on the appetite for change that exists among nations all across the GCC.

“The region