Tech News
62% OF SAUDI LEADERS ARE FAILING TO USE THEIR DATA EFFECTIVELY, NEW CLOUDERA REPORT FINDS

Cloudera, the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, today released its latest global survey, The Data Readiness Index: Understanding the Foundations for Successful AI, examining how prepared enterprises are to support AI at scale. Surveying more than 300 IT leaders in the EMEA region, including strong insights from Saudi Arabia, the report finds that while AI adoption is growing, most organizations still lack the data foundation needed for success.
The findings highlight a sharp contrast in how effectively organizations track their data. Nearly 9 in 10 EMEA IT leaders claim complete visibility into where all their data resides, compared to just 32% of respondents in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, 62% of Saudi respondents cite data access restrictions as a major roadblock to effective data use.
This gap highlights an emerging ‘AI readiness illusion’: the belief that organizations are prepared to scale AI even as critical data challenges remain unresolved.
“Enterprises aren’t struggling to adopt AI, they’re struggling to operationalize it beyond experiments,” said Sergio Gago, Chief Technology Officer at Cloudera. “AI is only as effective as the data that fuels it. Without seamless access to all their data, organizations limit the accuracy, trust, and business value that AI can deliver. You can’t do AI without data.”
AI Adoption is High, but ROI Remains Elusive
While AI is now deeply embedded across the enterprise, achieving consistent returns on investment remains difficult due to a sharp geographical divide in implementation hurdles. Across EMEA, the struggle is largely centered on the inputs, with data quality issues (18%) and cost overruns (16%) cited as the primary causes of lackluster ROI. However, Saudi Arabia presents a different challenge focused on execution. In the Kingdom, weak integration into workflows is the overwhelming barrier at 29%, nearly doubling the concern over data quality, which sits at 15%.
These regional nuances are further tangled by significant infrastructure limitations. Around 65% of respondents in KSA report that performance constraints have hindered operational initiatives, highlighting the immense difficulty of scaling AI across fragmented environments.
Bridging The Data Gap
At the core of these challenges is a significant disconnect between data optimism and operational reality.
The report highlights that 95% of KSA respondents are highly confident in their data, but only 32% of that data is currently fully governed. While this outpaces the broader EMEA region, where only 26% of data is governed despite 91% confidence, it highlights a critical execution gap that organizations are now racing to fill.
The Kingdom is uniquely positioned to bridge this divide with 100% of Saudi respondents ready to adopt new governance frameworks, and 79% being extremely willing to transform their operations. This regional commitment suggests that Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach will likely outpace its peers in the race toward AI and digital maturity.
Strategic Alignment and the Accountability Gap
While leadership in both the EMEA and KSA regions understands the necessity of data infrastructure, the execution and accountability frameworks are worlds apart. More than 90% of EMEA respondents report a well-defined data strategy tied directly to business objectives, while only over half (53%) of Saudi Arabian respondents feel the same level of alignment.
Accountability and internal culture further widen this divide. In EMEA, 69% of leaders hold the CIO or CTO chiefly responsible for data readiness, whereas in Saudi Arabia, only 35% place ultimate responsibility on this role, indicating a more emerging ownership structure.
Beyond accountability and alignment, respondents in Saudi Arabia face a unique internal hurdle: 50% struggle with insufficient data literacy, while nearly a third (32%) cite a lack of executive sponsorship.
Data Readiness Will Define the Next Phase of Enterprise AI
As enterprise AI shifts from experimentation to execution, data readiness is emerging as the defining factor separating leaders from laggards.
Organizations able to fully access and govern all their data, wherever it resides, are far better equipped to deliver trusted, scalable AI. Notably, every respondent in the report indicated their organization is willing to adapt existing frameworks to support true data readiness.
As enterprises confront the limits of the AI readiness illusion, the path forward is clear: unlocking AI’s full value will require more than ambition; it will demand genuine data readiness. Those that close this gap will be best positioned to drive lasting impact and lead the next era of intelligent business.
Tech News
TALLY SOLUTIONS OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 6TH EDITION OF TALLY MSME HONOURS, CELEBRATING INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Tally Solutions, a leading international technology provider of business management software, has announced the launch of the sixth edition of its flagship annual initiative, Tally MSME Honours. With an aim to recognize and celebrate emerging entrepreneurs, the initiative builds on the momentum of five successful years and continues to champion the future of the UAE’s MSME ecosystem by spotlighting innovation, resilience, and meaningful impact.
Over the last five editions, Tally MSME Honours has received more than 70,000 nominations globally, with over 20% of entries from women-led ventures, making it one of the biggest global platforms to celebrate MSMEs. This year, Tally expects 20,000 nominations across categories. The honours will also bring forth MSME success stories from across India, Africa, Bangladesh, and Nepal, in addition to the Middle East. The entries can be submitted by interested businesses or people who know such businesses via this link.
As part of this year’s edition, participants can submit video entries, ensuring representation from different emirates across the UAE. To further strengthen the evaluation process, Tally is also deploying an AI-led shortlisting framework that will help validate and assess entries more comprehensively by analyzing publicly available business information, ensuring deserving businesses receive due recognition for their impact and growth.
Speaking about the initiative, Vikas Panchal, General Manager – MENA, Tally Solutions, said, “MSME Honours is not just an award platform; it is a celebration of the resilience, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that drives small businesses forward every day. Across the UAE and the wider MENA region, we continue to witness inspiring MSMEs building innovative businesses, creating employment, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth. This becomes even more relevant as the UAE continues to place strong focus on strengthening its SME ecosystem as a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic vision. Through MSME Honours, we aim to spotlight these stories of determination and impact, while encouraging more entrepreneurs to share and celebrate their journeys.”
With a strong focus on enabling long-term growth and visibility, Tally MSME Honours extends beyond recognition to create a platform that continuously supports entrepreneurial journeys. Over the years, past winners have become part of a growing network of business leaders and changemakers, gaining opportunities to participate in industry discussions, ecosystem forums, and business-led conversations. These engagements help entrepreneurs showcase their journeys, build meaningful collaborations, exchange insights, and further strengthen their impact within the broader MSME ecosystem.
Tally MSME Honours 2026 will feature the following award categories:
- Business Maestro: Established businesses that have mastered the art of thriving and sustaining success.
- Wonder Woman: Outstanding women-led businesses making a remarkable impact.
- NewGen Icon: A new generation of business owners innovating and paving the way for exponential growth.
- Tech Transformer: Businesses leveraging new technology to drive efficiency and scale.
- E-preneur Icon: Purpose-driven businesses contributing meaningfully to society and the environment
The entries will be judged by an esteemed panel comprising experts from the field of technology, the MSME domain, and the media.
Tech News
BELKIN’S LILYPAD IPAD CASE TURNS THE FAMILY IPAD INTO A FUN, FRIENDLY SIDEKICK INSPIRED BY DISNEY AND PIXAR’S “TOY STORY 5”

Belkin, a global leader in consumer electronics for over 40 years, today announced a real-world special edition iPad case inspired by Lilypad, the high-tech frog-shaped smart tablet character from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” in theaters June 18.
Designed to transform an iPad into a fun character companion, the Lilypad iPad Case blends protection with subtle character-inspired features, turning tablet use into an imaginative, playful experience connected to the world of “Toy Story 5.”
“Lilypad represents a modern take on how kids interact with technology,” said Steve Malony, CEO of Belkin. “With this collaboration, we wanted to create an accessory that captures the character’s personality while still delivering the quality, durability, protection, and thoughtful design families expect from Belkin.”
Turning an iPad into Lilypad
Designed, for families and Disney collectors, the Lilypad iPad Case combines durable EVA foam construction with character-inspired details like a built-in carry handle and foldable kickstand, allowing users to comfortably hold, carry, and use their device for watching, drawing, or learning on the go.
Key features include:
- Official Lilypad Character Design – Inspired by Lilypad from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” the case gives iPad (10th and 11th generation) expressive eye details and a character-inspired design.
- Kid-Proof Protection – Durable EVA foam construction helps absorb bumps and drops during everyday play.
- Soft, Grippy Edges – Easy for small hands to hold securely, helping reduce slips and accidental drops.
- Built-In Carry Handle – Integrated handle provides easy portability, designed to keep up with everyday use.
- Built-In Kickstand – Foldable kickstand supports hands-free viewing for drawing, watching, or playing.
- Exclusive Digital Wallpapers – Each case includes a QR code to download complimentary Lilypad-themed wallpapers for home and lock screens, making the iPad feel even more like the character.
- Safe & Parent-Approved Materials – Made with non-toxic materials and wipe-clean surfaces for easy maintenance.
Tech News
VERTIV EXPANDS LIQUID COOLING PORTFOLIO IN EMEA TO ACCELERATE AI‑READY DATA CENTER DEPLOYMENTS
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced the expansion of its end-to-end thermal chain with the availability of the Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU 2300 and Vertiv™ CoolChip Fluid Network Row Manifolds in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). These liquid cooling technologies support the growing demands of AI and high-density, next-generation compute to help customers deploy high-density infrastructure faster and operate more efficiently.
The Vertiv CoolChip family is a core building block of the Vertiv thermal chain, an end-to-end portfolio including direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, coolant distribution, heat rejection, intelligent controls, and lifecycle services into a single, cohesive thermal management system.
The newly announced solutions will be on display at Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes (June 1–4), where Vertiv will participate as a Patron Sponsor and showcase its latest technologies at booth n. 123.
“The rapid growth of AI workloads is driving a fundamental shift in how data centers are designed, cooled, powered and operated,” said Paul Ryan, president for EMEA at Vertiv. “At Datacloud Global Congress, we’re showing how Vertiv is expanding its end‑to‑end portfolio, combining high-density power solutions, liquid cooling, heat rejection, intelligent controls, and lifecycle services, to help customers deploy AI-ready infrastructure faster and operate more efficiently over time.”
As a critical link in the Vertiv™ thermal chain, the Vertiv CoolChip CDU 2300 is a liquid-to-liquid coolant distribution unit delivering 2.3 MW of cooling capacity in a compact footprint, offering one of the highest capacity-to-footprint ratios available in the market. Its smaller cabinet supports flexible placement, including in‑row or in adjacent mechanical areas, helping operators reduce floor space requirements and the number of CDUs needed in large‑scale, high‑density deployments.
Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU systems span from 100 kW to 2.3 MW and support direct‑to‑chip liquid cooling as well as rear‑door heat exchangers. The integrated Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU controller allows temperature and flow to adapt to workload demands, while features such as redundancy, unit‑to‑unit communication, and remote monitoring help enhance system availability and simplify operations. This controller-level intelligence enables the CDU to operate in coordination with other elements of the thermal chain, enabling consistent thermal performance across the entire infrastructure.
Complementing the CDU within the thermal chain architecture, the new Vertiv™ CoolChip Fluid Network Row Manifolds provide the physical connectivity layer between coolant distribution units, server-level cooling hardware, and heat rejection systems. Each manifold assembly is flushed, passivated, pressure-tested, and sealed to deliver superior cleanliness, corrosion resistance, and leak-free performance. The configurable design provides full system compatibility across direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, and rear-door heat exchangers while simplifying coolant routing. It also enables fast deployment for new builds or retrofits, helping operators scale liquid-cooling infrastructure in weeks rather than months.
Vertiv complements its portfolio with Vertiv™ Liquid Cooling Services, covering design support, installation, and ongoing maintenance. This lifecycle approach is designed to help customers maximize efficiency, maintain system availability, and support consistent performance as liquid cooling becomes an integral part of modern data center operations.
Vertiv experts will be available throughout Datacloud Global Congress at booth #123 to discuss Vertiv’s end‑to‑end portfolio of power, cooling, and converged infrastructure solutions designed to support high‑density, AI‑ready data centers. Explore insights and resources at Vertiv.com/AI.
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