G42, Publicis Sapient to explore AI-first services joint venture
New AI joint venture could accelerate enterprise deployment across Global South
#UAE #jointventures – Abu Dhabi-based global technology group G42 and Paris-headquartered global technology and digital transformation company Publicis Sapient have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a joint venture combining G42’s sovereign AI cloud infrastructure with Publicis Sapient’s enterprise AI platforms. Targeting the UAE and the Global South, the proposed venture aims to accelerate enterprise AI adoption at scale, translate AI capability into measurable business outcomes, and drive data-driven digital transformation across emerging markets. The joint venture is targeted for establishment by mid-2026.
SO WHAT? – The G42-Publicis Sapient partnership takes aim at one of the most pressing challenges in enterprise AI: the gap between experimentation and real-world deployment. The move is in line with Publicis Sapient plans to play a leading global role in AI-accelerated digital transformation and follows a number of recent deals including a partnership with NVIDIA to create a Centre of Excellence for Enterprise AI Transformation. By uniting sovereign infrastructure with proven enterprise platforms and sector expertise, G42 and Publicis Sapient are positioning themselves to capitalise on AI services demand across the Global South, leveraging their respective strengths in the government and commercial sectors.
Here are some key points regarding the joint venture agreement:
G42 and Publicis Sapient have signed an MOU to explore a joint venture combining G42’s sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure with Publicis Sapient’s enterprise AI platforms and industry expertise, with the venture targeted for establishment by mid-2026.
The agreement was signed by Ricky Thirion, Group Chief Financial Officer, G42 and Bassel Kakish, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey, in the presence of His Excellency Mansoor Al Mansoori, Chief Executive Officer, G42 International , Nigel Vaz, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Sapient.
The proposed venture will be formed specifically to bridge the gap between AI experimentation and full-scale deployment, helping enterprises and governments translate AI capability into measurable, operational business outcomes rather than pilot projects.
G42 brings its full AI technology stack to the partnership, encompassing sovereign cloud infrastructure, foundation models, AI-native engineering talent, and proven deployment capabilities across the UAE and broader emerging markets.
Publicis Sapient contributes two key enterprise AI platforms: Sapient Slingshot, which accelerates end-to-end software development and modernisation, and Sapient Bodhi, a platform for industry-specific AI agents and orchestration — both underpinned by experience across more than 50 global markets.
The joint venture’s service portfolio will span cloud modernisation, AI use case development, intelligent agent creation, enterprise software engineering, and full-scale AI deployment and optimisation.
The Global South is a central strategic focus, with the partnership designed to deploy AI agents at scale across emerging markets where digital transformation programmes are accelerating and demand for sovereign, locally relevant AI infrastructure is growing.
Subject to final agreements, the two companies will formalise commercial and operating structures for the joint venture in the coming months, with full establishment expected by the middle of 2026.
Publicis Sapient operates as the technology hub of Publicis Groupe, uniting 20,000 people worldwide and drawing on more than 30 years of digital business transformation experience across hundreds of large-scale programmes and diverse industries.
ZOOM OUT – The G42-Publicis Sapient joint venture is not an isolated move and follows a variety of digital deals for Publicis Sapient and Publicis Groupe. Earlier this month, the group’s Middle East operation announced a strategic partnership with Luma AI, making the California-based AI entertainment startup its preferred generative AI technology partner across the region. Luma AI, whose flagship Dream Machine platform enables professional-grade video and image generation, is opening a Riyadh office to support regional expansion — including a partnership with Public Investment Fund-owned AI company HUMAIN.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]