Seagate’s Vision on the Evolution of Data Storage and Its Future in an AI-Driven World

Exclusive Interview with Arnab Majumder, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia at Seagate Technology

In this exclusive interview, Arnab, Seagate’s Country Manager for Saudi Arabia and MENA, shares insights from his two decades of experience in the IT industry. He discusses the evolving landscape of data storage, the rise of AI, and Seagate’s innovative solutions in data security, speed, and sustainability. From the launch of the Mozaic platform to the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, Arnab highlights Seagate’s role in shaping the future of data storage technology. He also provides an outlook on the increasing role of data centers in AI adoption and why the Middle East is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in this space.

You have around two decades of experience and have worked in some of the major global IT companies. What kind of changes have you seen throughout your career?
Throughout my career, one thing has remained constant—my association with data. I started by selling ERP software, specifically SAP, which was commonly known as an ERP solution but was, in essence, a data management software. From there, I transitioned into servers and storage, which again revolved around data and compute. Later, I focused on data backup, and now, for the past two and a half years at Seagate, I have been managing data storage from an endpoint perspective, what we call Edge to Cloud.

Over time, the importance of data has increased tremendously. Initially, discussions around data were confined to the data center. Then came hybrid models with the introduction of private and public cloud. The conversation evolved further with IoT, and now we are in an AI-enabled world, particularly machine learning and AI-driven applications, which make data more crucial than ever. As someone once said, “Data is more valuable than oil,” and that statement holds true. Data can make or break organizations over time.

With the rise of AI technologies, data storage has become even more crucial. How is Seagate addressing this need?
With the emergence of AI-driven solutions and machine learning applications, we have seen a massive shift in data storage demands. AI has fundamentally reshaped the way organizations interact with data, requiring scalable, high-performance solutions.

Seagate ensures that the data solutions we provide to customers have infinite potential. We are not restricted to specific compute capabilities, IOPS, or throughput. Instead, we focus on exceeding expectations, ensuring that data can be stored, retrieved, and archived at any time without barriers. The key elements remain securing, storing, retrieving, and managing data efficiently over the long term. As AI models become more sophisticated, data centers will need to scale exponentially, and Seagate is committed to supporting this evolution through cutting-edge innovations.

AI has also increased the demand for faster storage. How is Seagate addressing storage capacity and speed?
With the launch of the Mozaic platform last year, which we introduced globally in Dubai, we have taken data storage to the next level. Users today don’t just need to store data; they need to access it at high throughput and IOPS. To meet this demand, we have introduced chips on our hard drives—what we call System on a Chip (SoC)—to enhance performance significantly.

Additionally, with the emergence of our cutting-edge HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording) technology, we are ensuring that our hard drives are ready for AI-driven applications. A decade ago, storing data was the primary concern; today, the focus is on how quickly and efficiently data can be retrieved. Our advancements in high IOPS and throughput ensure that the user experience remains optimal. As AI applications evolve, real-time data access and low-latency performance will be critical, and Seagate is prepared to meet these growing demands.

With the increase in data, security concerns have also risen. How is Seagate addressing data security?
Seagate prioritizes data security and has implemented multiple measures to protect user information. One of our key security features is Self-Encrypting Drives (SED), which ensure that stored data is only accessible to authorized users. Encryption-enabled drives play a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access, safeguarding against threats such as ransomware and malware.

At Seagate, we believe that storing data and securing data go hand in hand. That’s why our drives are equipped with built-in encryption, adding an extra layer of protection at all times. This ensures that even if a drive is lost or stolen, the data remains inaccessible to unauthorized individuals. Beyond encryption, we continuously integrate advanced security features into our drives to provide the highest level of protection for our customers. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and we are committed to staying ahead by ensuring that our storage solutions are secure against emerging risks. Seagate remains dedicated to offering robust security measures to protect sensitive information.

The increasing volume of data also leads to concerns about e-waste. What steps is Seagate taking to promote recycling and sustainability?
Seagate is committed to sustainability. As part of our efforts to tackle e-waste, we are committed to refurbishing and recertifying drives to extend their lifespan. Additionally, we are investing in innovative technologies to lower power consumption, making our storage solutions more energy-efficient. This includes not only hard drives, but also entire systems that are designed to reduce power usage. Our consumer tech solutions are now also being manufactured using recycled materials, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability

Additionally, Seagate has a Take-Back Program, where we collect used storage devices, ensuring that materials are repurposed and reintegrated into the production cycle. By prioritizing sustainability at every level, we are addressing the environmental impact of data storage while maintaining high-performance standards. Seagate is also working closely with partners to promote a circular economy, reducing waste and improving the lifecycle of storage solutions.

Seagate is always present at major tech events like Intersec, GITEX, and LEAP. How important are these events for the company?
These events are of pivotal importance to us. Over the last three years, we have participated in GITEX and Intersec, including Intersec Saudi Arabia, and have had a strong presence. This year, we are also participating in LEAP. Such events provide us with the opportunity to reach a broader audience and showcase our latest technological advancements.

Every year, Seagate comes up with transformative technologies. For example, last year, we introduced the Mozaic platform, and we are continuously expanding its capabilities. We also use these platforms to highlight innovations like HAMR, self-encrypting drives, and AI-driven storage solutions. Many customers approach us at these events with questions about AI-driven storage and video surveillance in an AI-enabled base. We are always excited to share insights on our Mozaic platform, SkyHawk AI drives, and enterprise data storage.

Beyond enterprise solutions, Seagate is also contributing to the growing gaming industry, particularly in the Middle East. Our FireCuda series of high-performance drives is designed to meet the high-performance demands of gamers, and we are eager to showcase these advancements at LEAP.

The Middle East is at the forefront of change and innovation, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which is investing heavily in smart cities, AI, and technological advancements. Seagate is excited to be part of this transformation, providing the storage infrastructure required for these ambitious projects.

Exclusive interview with Thibaut Faivre, Head of Sales and Program Delivery for the Middle East, Africa, and India at Airbus Public Safety and Security

As the Middle East continues to emerge as a global aviation hub, Airbus is at the forefront of transforming both regional security and airport operations. From managing massive events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to streamlining airport turnaround processes, the company is leveraging digital innovation to address the region’s unique challenges. In this interview, we explore Airbus’s strategic presence in the Middle East and its cutting-edge solutions for modernizing airport operations, particularly through its Agnet Turnaround platform that’s revolutionizing ground handling efficiency and communication.

Could you provide us with a brief overview of Airbus’ approach and strategy in the Middle East, along with insights into the types of clients you are engaging with in the region?

The Middle East is a unique region where the geopolitical environment is very specific, with high security challenges. The economy is also booming: we see a sizable increase in the population and the multiplication of large international events to host, which is consistent with ambitious visions such as Dubai 2040, KSA Vision 2030 or Kuwait Vision 2035 for example. There is finally a strong demand for high technology to be developed locally with the regional ecosystem of start-ups, government owned companies and universities. In addition to that, cities like Dubai and Riyadh are becoming references in terms of digitization and smart cities, with ICT and IoT systems being interconnected and providing security forces with full views of situations that require their attention. Taking all of this into account, for 40 years, Airbus has been locally developing, implementing and maintaining critical communications networks and systems for public safety organizations as well as critical industry players and enterprises. We rely on long-term partnerships with several regional players, for accessories and devices for instance, and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to offer end to end communications and collaboration solutions, meet as many use cases as needed and support a smooth transition from narrowband to broadband technologies. The operational deployments of our solutions as part of large events such as the Hajj (2.5m pilgrims per day), Dubai Expo 2020 (25m visitors) or FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (20m attendees), are part of the best examples of these collaborations.

What are the primary challenges that airports face in ensuring efficient turnaround operations, and how does Agnet Turnaround address these issues?

While the air transportation industry keeps growing, the market is facing new challenges. Handling the increasing number of passengers and air cargo alone requires even greater attention, not to mention the demanding environmental and operational standards set to the industry. To meet these new challenges, turnaround operations must be seamless, secure, and functioning in real-time. One key factor is efficient and fast communications between the airport, ground teams, control centers, and airlines. Agnet Turnaround perfectly fits the most common communications challenges at airports such as communications between different teams, security of the communications channels, lack of live information or user experience. Our solution invites all teams on the same communications and collaboration platform, allowing different groups to connect instantly with the right stakeholder and to coordinate their tasks. It also meets the highest level of security requirements that prevent compromised devices and unauthorized users from accessing the airport’s resources. In addition to that, Agnet Turnaround offers automatic group creation based on the flight number for the turnaround.

Can you elaborate on how enhanced communications and collaboration through digital tools impact the coordination among ground staff during turnaround operations?

Enhanced communications and collaboration through digital tools like Agnet Turnaround enable live monitoring for ground handling staff during turnaround operations, facilitate easy tracking of relevant tasks, and ensure that the information always reaches the correct person right away. The ability to connect instantly with relevant parties involved in specific operations significantly enhances ground efficiency. Automatic reporting reduces response time and ensures immediate contact with those assigned to managing incidents, boosting airport safety. Automated report generation, alerts, group creation, workflow status and task assignment features streamline turnaround management processes. With Agnet Turnaround, not only do ground handling teams have a secure communications and collaboration platform within easy reach but they also benefit from a workflow tool.

How does Airbus Public Safety and Security ensure the integration of Agnet Turnaround into existing airport systems, and what benefits can stakeholders expect from this integration?

Disruptions in communications practices at airports result in delays, poor passenger experiences and additional costs. Moreover, these continuing slips create a negative impression of the operators, especially during times when, for example, the importance of reducing CO2 emissions is under strict scrutiny. By integrating Agnet Turnaround into existing systems, through an evolutive list of APIs and following the Agile methodology thus enabling a quick adaptation and a short-cycle development, airport stakeholders will avoid operational, reputational, and financial damages. The different teams will no longer need to waste time pondering how to reach any of the crucial operators in the fast-paced airport environment. By eliminating all the extra steps in the communication cycle, there are clear improvements in reducing delays, taxi times, queues, and disruptions in ground operations, such as luggage and cargo handling.

In today’s data-driven world, enterprises face mounting challenges to scale their storage capacities while minimizing costs per terabyte and reducing resource impacts. Seagate, as a global leader in data storage solutions, is uniquely positioned to address these demands with a broad spectrum of offerings tailored to meet diverse business needs. Whether through modular products that allow customers to build their own storage systems, optimized off-the-shelf solutions, or cloud-based services for outsourced data management, Seagate ensures flexibility, scalability, and efficiency at every level.

Seagate’s commitment to innovation is evident in its comprehensive approach to storage. From terabytes delivered through devices and shuttles to petabytes with resilient and dense systems, and exabytes through the scalability of Lyve Cloud, the company empowers enterprises to choose the solution that fits them best: build and manage their data independently, collaborate with Seagate, or fully entrust their data storage needs. This tri-fold strategy provides unparalleled mobility, density, and speed to value, enabling businesses to focus on their core objectives while seamlessly managing their data.

In the META region, Seagate’s vision is brought to life through the leadership of Didem Eker, Channel Marketing Manager, who has played a pivotal role in fostering strong partnerships across key territories. While her contributions have amplified Seagate’s presence and strengthened collaborations with channel partners, the real story lies in the cutting-edge solutions Seagate brings to the table.

This interview dives into how Seagate’s storage solutions are helping enterprises tackle the challenges of rapid data growth, the company’s strategic alignment with evolving market needs, and its steadfast commitment to empowering customers with the tools to store, protect, and activate their data efficiently.

What is your personal belief about marketing?

In today’s highly competitive and interconnected digital age, businesses must transcend traditional marketing tactics to forge deeper, more authentic, and meaningful relationships with both customers and channel partners. Sustainable growth hinges on cultivating trust and collaboration to create lasting value.

To thrive in this fast-paced, digitally driven world, brands must focus on meaningful, transparent, and positive communication. This approach ensures they can establish and sustain reliable, long-term relationships with their customers. The equation is straightforward: acquiring new customers is far costlier than keeping existing ones satisfied. By delivering personalized experiences, engaging customer loyalty programs, consistent communication, and exceptional customer support, brands can elevate themselves beyond conventional marketing.

Satisfied customers are not just repeat buyers; they evolve into brand advocates, sharing their positive experiences and driving organic growth through referrals. Moreover, one of the most significant contributors to a vendor’s marketing success lies in empowering channel partnerships. Strong partnerships lead to consistent brand presence in the market, allowing businesses to remain competitive and visible.

How can businesses leverage AI and machine learning to personalize user experiences while ensuring data security and ethics?

Businesses can leverage AI and machine learning to deliver personalized user experiences by analyzing vast amounts of data to understand customer behavior, preferences, and trends. This enables tailored recommendations, predictive insights, and dynamic content delivery. To ensure data security and ethics, companies must adopt robust cybersecurity measures, comply with data protection regulations, and prioritize transparent practices. Balancing innovation with responsible data usage fosters trust and drives sustainable growth.

What is your vision for marketing in the UAE?

The UAE, with its rapidly growing economy and strategic vision, is investing heavily across various industries. This dynamic environment creates a significant appetite for corporations to innovate and adapt their marketing strategies. From technology and innovation to real estate, construction, tourism, retail, and e-commerce, the opportunities are immense.

For instance, the UAE’s smart city initiatives have unlocked vast opportunities across industries, particularly in tech solutions, data storage, and surveillance. As these investments mature, they pave the way for more innovative and integrated marketing strategies. Businesses will increasingly look beyond traditional approaches, developing comprehensive solutions to serve both enterprises and government entities.

We foresee exciting advancements, such as hyper-personalized shopping experiences and enhanced e-commerce platforms. The rapid digital transformation of the region amplifies the need for digital marketing services that can keep pace with evolving customer expectations. In this thriving ecosystem, marketing in the UAE must focus on leveraging technology and innovation to connect meaningfully with diverse audiences.

What is your belief in Seagate and its technologies?

I am deeply passionate about Seagate’s innovative leadership in mass-capacity storage, which continually pushes the boundaries of engineering. Seagate enables its customers to store and protect data in the most efficient and advanced ways possible, addressing the growing demand for high-capacity storage solutions driven by cloud expansion, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

At Seagate, everything starts with innovation. By employing cutting-edge nanoscale engineering and advanced materials science, the company delivers groundbreaking solutions. Last year, Seagate launched the Mozaic 3+ platform, designed to help businesses scale with unprecedented data growth. This platform powers the world’s most efficient hard drive storage solutions, allowing customers to reduce their total cost of ownership while enhancing operational efficiency.

With areal density at its core, Mozaic technology allows organizations to store more data without requiring additional space, energy, or natural resources. Beyond efficiency, Seagate also champions sustainability through its Circularity Program, a pioneering effort to minimize electronic waste and promote sustainable consumption. This program extends the lifecycle of hard drives and significantly reduces carbon emissions, aligning with Seagate’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Seagate’s approach demonstrates a remarkable balance between innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, reflecting its dedication to creating a better future for data management and the planet.

Could you tell us about SkyHawk technology, how it drives surveillance and AI systems?

SkyHawk drives enhance surveillance and AI systems by offering high capacity, optimized firmware, and a workload rating suitable for 24×7 operations. They support up to 64 HD cameras and 32 AI streams, ensuring reliable video streaming and advanced AI analysis. With features like SkyHawk Health Management, they monitor drive health, prevent data loss, and reduce maintenance costs, providing integrators with better total cost of ownership and increased customer satisfaction.

Tell us about Mozaic 3+ platform and how that revolutionizes storage?

The Mozaic 3+ platform, powering Seagate’s Exos product family, revolutionizes hyperscale cloud storage with industry-leading capacity, including Exos 30TB+ products. It doubles storage capacity compared to conventional 16TB drives, optimizing data storage within the same footprint. Prioritizing sustainability, it improves power consumption per terabyte by 40% and reduces embodied carbon by 55%, addressing efficiency and environmental challenges simultaneously.

What are your predictions for Seagate in the UAE market?

The UAE’s dynamic economy and strategic geographic position offer exceptional opportunities for growth. With rapid digital transformation and increasing demand for data storage, Seagate is uniquely positioned to leverage its strengths in the surveillance industry and beyond.

Seagate’s advanced integrated security solutions cater to the region’s expanding need for scalable and reliable data storage, particularly for businesses and government entities managing explosive data growth. Surveillance remains a key area of strength, and we see significant potential to expand our enterprise portfolio by strengthening relationships with key accounts and demonstrating the value of our solutions.

To capture this opportunity, Seagate will maintain a focused marketing strategy, emphasizing VIA (Video, Imaging, and Analytics) solutions while penetrating enterprise markets with high-capacity messaging. By addressing the specific needs of the UAE market, Seagate aims to remain a trusted partner, empowering organizations with cutting-edge storage solutions that drive growth and innovation.