With the goal of driving public and private sector innovation, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have launched a new AWS Cloud Innovation Center (CIC) in Abu Dhabi.
ADIO and AWS will promote the AWS CIC through the end of 2022 to showcase the value of using Amazon’s “Working Backwards” approach for innovation. Working backwards will help organizations learn about and adopt innovation best practices, identify compelling changes that will transform their organization, develop innovation visions and accelerate the journey to impact.
“As we accelerate organizations’ cloud transformation journeys, ADIO is keen to leverage next-generation technology to drive innovation. Aligning with the UAE’s future-forward national agenda, the CIC will provide an opportunity for organisations to collaborate with the public and private sectors to address their most pressing challenges, test new ideas with Amazon’s innovation mechanisms and access the technology expertise of AWS. This is a step in the right direction to make the UAE a hotbed for technology-driven entrepreneurship,” said Wojciech Bajda, head of public sector Middle East and Africa, AWS.
CICs aim to empower public and private sector organizations to quickly create and test new ideas using Amazon’s innovation methodology. Abu Dhabi’s new AWS CIC will accelerate the development of transformative technology that improves lives and creates new economic possibilities for organizations.
AWS and ADIO will work on this project for three years as a continuation of the successful cooperation between the two organizations to drive digital transformation in Abu Dhabi, which has seen AWS launch the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region and a SME cloud training program. AWS CIC will support innovation challenges with up to $1.5 million in AWS Promotion Credits over three years to drive outcomes forward and help organizations innovate and develop solutions that capitalize on opportunities for growth and disruption.
Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, acting director-general of ADIO, noted, “ADIO is bringing the AWS CIC to Abu Dhabi and the UAE to address pressing opportunities and challenges. With its focus on innovative solutions, the Center will be a meaningful addition to Abu Dhabi’s growing technology ecosystem, equipping organizations with tools to transform rapidly and successfully. We see massive potential for innovation to make a difference across multiple industries and call upon all Abu Dhabi-based entities to leverage the AWS CIC to drive disruptive thinking that will propel businesses to success and transform the lives of citizens.”