Saal.ai and Nutanix Debut SovereignGPT for Secure AI in the Middle East

Editorial Team

Last updated 5-01-2026

3 min

Saal.

ai and Nutanix introduced SovereignGPT, an AI platform focusing on data security in Abu Dhabi.

Built in the UAE, it runs on Nutanix's hybrid multicloud, ensuring data remains on-premise.

SovereignGPT converts data into real-time insights, aiding decision-making with government-grade security.

“AI‑in‑a‑Box” packaging simplifies deployment, helping industries modernise with reduced data silos.

The platform supports regional digital sovereignty, blending local AI with global cloud expertise.

Saal.ai and Nutanix drew quite a crowd in Abu Dhabi recently, gathering government officials and industry leaders at The Ritz-Carlton to unveil what they’re calling SovereignGPT — a new Agentic AI platform designed for organisations that treat data security as non‑negotiable. I’ve seen plenty of AI announcements fly across my desk at Arageek, but this one stood out because of how firmly it leans into the region’s push for digital sovereignty, something startups here talk about all the time.

The platform has been built in the UAE by Saal.ai and runs on Nutanix’s well‑established hybrid multicloud infrastructure. In simple terms, it gives governments and large enterprises a way to use powerful Generative AI entirely within their own systems. Nothing leaves their servers — no sneaky detours to an external cloud. For organisations juggling sensitive records, that’s spot on, even if managing on‑premise setups can sometimes feel like a bit of a faff.

SovereignGPT’s real selling point is its ability to turn sprawling internal data into practical, real‑time insights. Its agentic features mean it can reason and act across enterprise systems, helping teams make faster decisions. Saal.ai and Nutanix say the platform meets strict government‑grade security standards and offers the kind of resilience and scalability needed for mission‑critical environments, which, frankly, I reckon is becoming essential as digital operations grow more complex across the region.

Vikraman Poduval, CEO of Saal.ai, described the project as a way to unlock data value “without compromising sovereignty or security”, adding that the UAE-built platform aims to help organisations accelerate digital transformation with full trust. On the flip side, Nutanix’s Raif Abou Diab highlighted how the collaboration blends global cloud expertise with regional AI capabilities, making high‑performance, on‑premise generative AI easier to deploy right where the data already lives.

One detail that caught my eye is that SovereignGPT is being positioned as one of the region’s first fully integrated, “AI‑in‑a‑Box” certified architectures. Everything — compute, storage, security and advanced AI — is bundled into a single system. And believe it or not, this simple packaging approach often makes a bigger difference than people assume; I’ve met small teams who were chuffed to bits just to avoid stitching together five different systems themselves. It should help reduce data silos and support industries trying to modernise operations, from supply chain optimisation to smart city planning.

Saal.ai, part of Abu Dhabi Capital Group, already works across sectors like defence, healthcare and education with products such as DigiXT and Academy X. Nutanix, meanwhile, brings its global base of more than 29,000 customers and a reputation for reliable multicloud management. Together, they’re aiming to set a new benchmark for secure, scalable AI made in and for the Middle East.

It’s still early days, of course… these big promises always need time to play out. But the momentum around sovereign tech in the region isn’t slowing down anytime soon — and this launch definately adds another interesting piece to the puzzle.

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