Alteryx Bets Big on AI Governance and Unified Analytics Platform for Middle East Growth in 2026
As Middle Eastern organizations ramp up AI investments—with 69% planning increases next year—Karl Crowther, Vice President MEA at Alteryx, outlines a 2026 strategy centered on advancing the Alteryx One platform for seamless analytics, AI, and automation integration, while embedding robust governance, deepening partnerships, and aligning with regional visions like UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030 to deliver trusted, scalable insights.
What opportunities do you foresee for 2026, and how do you plan to leverage them?
In 2026, we see significant opportunities at the intersection of AI, analytics, and enterprise automation. Organizations are increasingly prioritizing data-driven decision-making, and this creates demand for scalable, integrated analytics platforms. In the Middle East, 69% of organisations plan to increase AI investment in the coming year.
We plan to leverage these opportunities by expanding our AI-powered workflow capabilities, enhancing data governance and transparency, and providing seamless integrations across enterprise systems. Our approach is to deliver actionable insights faster while ensuring compliance and trust. Additionally, we’re investing in partnerships with technology leaders and industry innovators to extend our ecosystem and reach new audiences.
By combining advanced analytics, automation, and AI, we aim to help organizations transform complex data into business impact, creating measurable value for our customers while solidifying our position as a trusted leader in the analytics space.
What major challenges did you encounter this year, and how did you address them?
This year, the rapidly evolving AI and analytics landscape presented both opportunities and challenges. One major challenge was balancing the demand for innovative AI solutions with the need for robust governance and compliance. Recent figures show that the average cost of a cyberattack on organisations in the Middle East is almost double the global average.
To address this, we strengthened our data governance capabilities and implemented end-to-end workflow transparency. By focusing on adaptability, collaboration, and user-centered innovation, we were able to maintain momentum, deliver value to our customers, and position the company for sustained growth in a dynamic environment.
Can you elaborate on your strategic partnerships this year and plans for next year?
This year, we strengthened strategic partnerships to expand our ecosystem and deliver enhanced value to customers. We collaborated with leading cloud data platform providers, AI technology firms, and enterprise software companies, enabling seamless integration of our analytics platform with complementary solutions. These partnerships allowed us to deliver faster insights, improved workflow automation, and advanced AI capabilities.
Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to deepen these alliances and explore new collaborations with industry innovators to accelerate AI adoption. Our goal is to build a connected ecosystem that empowers organizations to turn data into actionable intelligence efficiently. By aligning with partners who share our vision for trusted, scalable analytics, we can continue to enhance customer experiences, drive innovation, and scale our impact across industries globally.
What will be your primary focus areas and strategic priorities for 2026?
In 2026, our primary focus will be on advancing the Alteryx One platform, enabling organizations to unify their analytics, AI, and automation in a single environment. We are prioritizing seamless integration with leading cloud data platforms to ensure that enterprises can scale insights efficiently across their data ecosystems. A central strategic priority will be embedding governance directly into our AI strategy, providing transparency, trust, and compliance throughout the analytics lifecycle.
By combining unified platform capabilities, cloud connectivity, and responsible AI, we aim to empower organizations to make faster, data-driven decisions while maintaining control and oversight. Additionally, we will continue to invest in user experience and enablement, ensuring that both technical and business users can leverage advanced analytics effectively. These efforts position Alteryx as the foundation for trusted, scalable, and intelligent decision-making in 2026.
Are there plans to explore new markets or introduce new products/applications in 2026?
Yes, in 2026, we plan to explore both new markets and new product capabilities. We see opportunities to expand into industries that are rapidly adopting AI and analytics. Additionally, we aim to strengthen integrations, making our solutions more accessible and interoperable.
By combining market expansion with targeted product innovation, we can address evolving enterprise needs, support complex data environments, and create new avenues for growth. These efforts will enable us to continue delivering measurable value to customers while broadening our footprint in both existing and emerging markets.
How is your company approaching sustainability, digital transformation, or AI adoption in preparation for 2026?
We approach sustainability, digital transformation, and AI adoption as interconnected priorities that drive both business value and societal impact. AI adoption remains a central focus, with investments in AI-driven workflow automation, predictive analytics, and natural language processing, all designed to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
Aligned with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and KSA’s Vision 2030, our goal is to provide organizations with trusted, transparent, and scalable solutions that accelerate transformation while maintaining governance and ethical standards. By integrating these efforts, we are preparing our customers—and ourselves—for a dynamic, data-centric 2026 and beyond.
