AI-Ready Infrastructure to Power the Middle East’s Next Wave of Digital Growth

As the Middle East accelerates its ambition to become a global AI hub, demand for high-density, AI-ready data centre infrastructure is set to surge in 2026. Tassos Peppas, Regional Director for MEETCA at Vertiv, says large-scale AI deployments across the region are driving the need for advanced power, cooling and modular solutions that can scale rapidly without compromising efficiency. By strengthening strategic partnerships, investing in next-generation cooling and power technologies, and expanding modular and locally optimised infrastructure, Vertiv is positioning itself to support the region’s most complex AI and high-performance computing workloads.

What opportunities do you foresee for 2026, and how do you plan to leverage them?
For 2026, Vertiv sees potential growth opportunities driven by the Middle East’s emergence as a global Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub. Major infrastructure projects like AI deployment from Humain in KSA and G42 in UAE, present significant potential for high-density computing solutions. Vertiv OneCore platform, designed for 5+ MW deployments, positions Vertiv to capitalize on the increasing demand for AI-ready infrastructure across the region.

The growing need for advanced cooling solutions, particularly in high-density computing environments, offers substantial growth potential. With governments and private sectors investing heavily in digital transformation, Vertiv sees opportunities to expand its modular data center solutions, power management systems, and thermal management technologies. The company’s focus on AI-ready infrastructure aligns perfectly with the region’s ambitious plans to become a global technology hub.

What major challenges did you encounter this year, and how did you address them?
Managing the rapidly accelerating demand for quick deployment while maintaining operational excellence emerged as a significant challenge. The expanding technical skills gap in high-density computing infrastructure requires innovative solutions and comprehensive training programs.

Adapting solutions to diverse regional requirements, particularly in harsh environmental conditions, demanded extensive engineering and local expertise. Vertiv addressed these challenges by strengthening local partnerships and developing regionally optimized cooling solutions. The company also faced the challenge of balancing speed-to-market demands with the need for energy-efficient operations, requiring innovative approaches to modular design and deployment.

Additionally, the increasing complexity of AI workloads necessitated new approaches to power and cooling infrastructure, pushing the boundaries of traditional data center designs. Through strategic partnerships and continued investment in research and development, Vertiv successfully navigated these challenges.

Can you elaborate on your strategic partnerships this year and plans for next year?
Vertiv has significantly strengthened its market-leading portfolio through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. The global collaboration with NVIDIA for AI-ready infrastructure development has been instrumental in creating validated reference designs for high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The long-standing partnership with MDS SI Group in the Middle East has enhanced regional coverage across the region, providing local expertise and rapid deployment capabilities.

The integration of Great Lakes Data Racks & Cabinets has expanded Vertiv’s ability to deliver comprehensive infrastructure solutions and customize at scale. Meanwhile, the Waylay acquisition has enhanced operational intelligence capabilities, supporting real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.

The addition of PurgeRite’s specialized fluid management expertise further strengthens Vertiv’s position in supporting critical liquid cooling needs for AI and HPC. These strategic moves have created a robust ecosystem that combines global technology leadership with trusted local execution, enabling customers to scale their digital transformation initiatives confidently.

What will be your primary focus areas and strategic priorities for 2026?
Looking toward 2026, Vertiv will continue to expand its AI-ready infrastructure solutions, with a particular focus on high-density computing and advanced cooling technologies. The company plans to enhance its modular data center offerings, supporting rapid deployment and scalability for AI workloads. Strengthening local manufacturing capabilities remains crucial, along with developing next-generation power and cooling solutions optimized for extreme compute densities.

Digital monitoring systems will see significant improvements to support evolving data center requirements. The strategy includes expanding liquid cooling capabilities, enhancing modular infrastructure solutions, and developing more sophisticated power management systems. Investment in research and development will continue to drive innovation in AI infrastructure, while partnerships with technology leaders will enable aligned development of future solutions.

Are there plans to introduce new products/applications in 2026?
Innovation and continuous improvement are fundamental pillars of our company’s DNA. While I cannot discuss specific future launches, our R&D teams are constantly working on advancing our technology portfolio and exploring new solutions that address evolving market needs. We maintain a robust research and development pipeline, investing significantly in innovation to stay multiple computing generations ahead.

How is your company approaching sustainability, digital transformation, or AI adoption in preparation for 2026?
Vertiv continues to invest in advancing AI-ready critical digital infrastructure, including prefabricated modular solutions that significantly reduce implementation time. The approach integrates sophisticated power and cooling systems with comprehensive monitoring capabilities to provide more intelligent, automated operations. By combining physical infrastructure advancements with digital innovation, Vertiv solutions enable more efficient, responsive, and adaptable data center operations.