stc advances gen AI innovation in region with Cohere

The collaboration between stc and Cohere will redefine stc’s AI-driven operations, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new digital growth opportunities.
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Updated 27 February 2025
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stc advances gen AI innovation in region with Cohere

  • The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers

stc Group, the region’s leading digital enabler, has announced a strategic collaboration with Cohere, a secure enterprise AI company, to transform the AI landscape in the Middle East and beyond. This collaboration is set to redefine stc’s AI-driven operations, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new digital growth opportunities through state-of-the-art AI solutions.
Under the collaboration, stc will leverage Cohere’s cutting-edge AI capabilities to develop transformative products as part of its internal gen AI initiative. The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers.

HIGHLIGHT

The joint effort will focus on key AI-powered innovations, including stc’s AI-powered language model and the Digital Co-Workers Foundry, designed to optimize business efficiency and deliver a superior digital experience for customers.

As part of the efforts, stc will work with Cohere to develop North for Telecom, a customized version of Cohere’s North, a secure AI workspace platform announced earlier this year. North for Telecom will be tailored to address the unique needs of the sector, providing intelligent automation, enhanced conversational experiences, and real-time data insights. Meanwhile, the Digital Co-Workers Foundry will introduce AI-driven virtual assistants designed to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and support stc’s workforce with intelligent automation solutions.




It’s been great working closely with stc’s team, says Aidan Gomez, Cohere’s Co-founder and CEO

“As a leader in digital transformation, stc continues to invest in advanced AI technologies that will shape the future of our industry. Our collaboration with Cohere represents a significant milestone in our AI journey, reinforcing our vision to harness AI-driven intelligence, enhance operational capabilities, and introduce innovative AI solutions that create tangible value,” said Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj, group chief technology officer at stc Group.
Motaz Alangari, group chief investment officer at stc Group, added: “stc Group strategically invests in pioneering companies that unlock access to transformative technologies, new business models, and enhanced revenue streams. This collaboration aligns with tali ventures, stc’s corporate venture capital arm, which plays a key role in fostering technological advancement and investing in next-generation innovations that complement stc’s digital ecosystem.”
“Cohere is a global leader in secure enterprise AI, and our investment in this collaboration facilitates access to enterprise-grade AI solutions, positioning stc to maximize AI’s potential across its product and service offerings.”
Cohere will bring its expertise in enterprise AI models and applications to stc’s ecosystem, ensuring faster adoption and optimization of AI capabilities across stc’s digital infrastructure.
“It’s been great working closely with stc’s team,” said Aidan Gomez, Cohere’s co-founder and CEO. “I’m really excited to bring our secure AI technology to enhance its role as a digital enabler. We look forward to collaborating with stc and integrating Cohere’s enterprise AI solutions to lift grunt work off the backs of their employees so they can focus more on the areas of their jobs where they can add real value.”
This collaboration underscores stc’s commitment to being at the forefront of AI-driven innovation, fostering a digital-first economy, and shaping the future of intelligent technology in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

 


Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB
Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.

The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.

With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.

In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”

The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.