The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its position as a regional leader in digital infrastructure and data-driven growth, thanks to its strategic focus on sovereign data centres. These facilities are pivotal in ensuring cybersecurity, economic resilience, and compliance with national data protection regulations. Helmut von Struve, CEO of Siemens Middle East, emphasized the critical role of sovereign data centres in aligning with the UAE’s vision for digital sovereignty, ethical AI, and robust cybersecurity practices. In an exclusive interview with Business Technology Review, Struve highlighted Siemens’ commitment to securely hosting sensitive data within the UAE’s borders, adhering to local regulations, and fostering transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI solutions. Siemens has been a key player in the UAE’s infrastructure development for decades, leveraging its global expertise to address local challenges, enhance cybersecurity, and build resilience through diversified supply chains. The UAE’s digital transformation strategy includes initiatives like du’s National Hypercloud with Oracle and Abu Dhabi’s cloud system with Microsoft and Core42, supported by key players such as G42, Moro Hub, and Khazana Data Centres. These efforts aim to create hyperscale, sovereign cloud zones that ensure data remains within national borders, balancing global engagement with local control. Struve praised the UAE’s unique model, which combines regulation and innovation to secure digital sovereignty while fostering global leadership in AI and clean energy. Siemens aligns its policies with the UAE’s goals, investing in local talent and technology transfer to support the nation’s innovation agenda. Sovereign data centres are becoming a cornerstone of the UAE’s digital strategy, providing trusted infrastructure for government platforms, smart city systems, and advanced analytics. At GITEX, Siemens showcased how AI, digital twins, and IoT are transforming industries, from smart grids to sustainable buildings, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to technological advancement and digital sovereignty.