ADNOC and DTEK.ai Bring AI-Powered Self-Checkout to 50 Oasis Stores

ADNOC Distribution is doubling down on artificial intelligence in its retail network, this time through a new partnership with UAE-based DTEK.ai to roll out an AI-powered self-checkout system across Oasis by ADNOC convenience stores.

The agreement, announced during Make it in the Emirates, will see the introduction of “SWIFT”, a computer vision-driven checkout solution designed to cut average checkout times by more than 60 per cent. In simple terms, customers place their items, the system recognises them instantly using cameras and machine learning, they pay, and they’re off, all in under 30 seconds from the start of the process.

If you’ve ever queued at a petrol station shop when you’re already late (haven’t we all?), you’ll know even a small delay can feel like ages. I remember stopping at an Oasis branch on a road trip across the Emirates; everything was quick except the checkout, which turned into a bit of a faff during peak hour. So this push for speed? It feels spot on.

The initial rollout will cover 50 Oasis by ADNOC locations in the second quarter of 2026, with scope to expand across ADNOC Distribution’s wider nationwide network. The move follows a pilot phase in selected stores, where the companies reported faster transactions, smoother customer flow at busy times, and more consistent operations overall.

Sanad Yaghi, CEO of DTEK.ai, said the company identified a clear gap in the market, arguing that checkout technology had not evolved at the same pace as today’s shoppers. By combining speed and accuracy with a seamless design, he noted, the system allows retailers to offer a “more human-centric” shopping experience.

On the corporate side, Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, described the collaboration as a key step in accelerating the company’s ambition to become what he called an “AI-native” mobility and convenience leader. He highlighted that deploying UAE-made technologies such as SWIFT not only enhances convenience and efficiency, but also supports local manufacturing and in-country value.

That point is worth pausing on. Over the past few years, ADNOC Distribution has quietly built a portfolio of more than 20 AI-enabled initiatives across its value chain, from fuel demand forecasting to supply chain optimisation and personalised customer experiences. With a reported customer satisfaction score of 97 per cent across its retail network, the company is clearly betting that artificial intelligence can sharpen performance, precision and productivity all at once.

And believe it or not, convenience retail is one of the most fertile testing grounds for AI in the region. High footfall, tight margins, and time-sensitive customers make even small efficiency gains very valuable. I reckon if the technology performs as promised, it could set a new benchmark for forecourt retail not only in the UAE but across MENA.

DTEK.ai, for its part, positions itself as a homegrown specialist in computer vision and machine learning for enterprise use cases, from intelligent checkout systems to broader vision-based automation tools. Partnering with ADNOC Distribution gives it scale, visibility, and, frankly, a chance to prove its tech in a demanding, real-world environment.

Of course, the real test will come once the system is live in dozens of busy stores. Technology can look slick in a demo but behave differently under pressure. Still, if the early results hold up, shoppers may soon find themselves in and out of Oasis stores faster than ever, which, in a market that thrives on speed and efficiency, is definately no small thing.

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