Abu Dhabi-based Core42 has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Italy’s Assolombarda, creating new opportunities for industrial companies in Lombardy to explore sovereign artificial intelligence, secure cloud infrastructure and advanced data-sharing technologies.
The agreement connects Core42, a subsidiary of UAE technology group G42, with one of Italy’s leading industrial associations. Assolombarda represents 7,158 companies across Milan, Monza and Brianza, Lodi and Pavia, covering a workforce of more than 440,000 people.
At the centre of the collaboration is forgIA, Assolombarda’s industrial data initiative. The platform aims to help businesses share information securely, develop industry-specific AI applications and maintain control over sensitive corporate data.
Announced on October 12, 2026, the agreement establishes a framework for technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and potential industrial AI projects rather than an immediate commercial deployment.
Core42 Brings Sovereign AI Expertise to Italian Manufacturers
Italian manufacturers are increasingly exploring artificial intelligence to improve production efficiency, reduce equipment downtime and strengthen supply chain management. Yet many companies remain cautious about transferring sensitive industrial information to external technology providers. Production records, proprietary designs and operational data can carry considerable commercial value, making security and data ownership major concerns.
Through its partnership with Assolombarda, Core42 will share expertise in sovereign cloud architecture, AI infrastructure and secure data management. The company intends to help industrial businesses understand how advanced AI systems can operate within environments that protect sensitive information and meet governance requirements. Drawing on its experience supporting AI and cloud deployments in the UAE and international markets, Core42 will contribute technical knowledge that manufacturers can use when evaluating their digital transformation strategies.
The agreement does not mean all 7,158 Assolombarda member companies will immediately adopt Core42 technology. Instead, it gives businesses access to technical discussions and potential opportunities to explore AI solutions suited to their operational requirements.
forgIA Platform Becomes a Key Focus of the Partnership
Assolombarda’s forgIA initiative plays an important role in the agreement because industrial AI depends heavily on access to reliable data. Manufacturers often generate enormous volumes of information through machinery, logistics systems and production processes. However, that information frequently remains separated across individual companies or internal systems, limiting opportunities for collaboration and advanced analytics.
The forgIA platform aims to address this challenge by creating a secure and interoperable environment where industrial businesses can share selected information while protecting confidentiality and intellectual property. Core42 will contribute expertise in sovereign cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity and data governance to support the initiative’s development. The partners will also explore a dedicated channel within forgIA that could give member companies access to Core42’s technical knowledge and guidance.
For manufacturers considering AI adoption, this approach could make it easier to evaluate technologies without immediately committing to large infrastructure investments. Companies may be able to participate in workshops, examine potential applications and better understand the security requirements associated with industrial data sharing.
G42 Ecosystem Creates New Opportunities for Italian Businesses
The Core42 sovereign AI partnership could also introduce Italian manufacturers to a wider network of technology companies operating within the G42 ecosystem. Core42 and Assolombarda plan to encourage connections between industrial businesses, cloud infrastructure specialists and AI technology providers, creating opportunities for technical cooperation and future commercial discussions.
Both organisations intend to organise industry roundtables, webinars, forums and knowledge-sharing activities covering cybersecurity, industrial data governance and sovereign AI infrastructure. These initiatives could help companies understand how artificial intelligence might support manufacturing operations, from predictive maintenance and production planning to quality control and supply chain optimisation.
The partnership remains at an early stage, however. Core42 and Assolombarda have not announced a specific investment amount, confirmed large-scale deployments or disclosed commercial contracts associated with the agreement. Its immediate value lies in establishing relationships and creating opportunities for manufacturers to examine technologies that could eventually support their operations.
Assolombarda Expands Its Technology Connections With the UAE
Assolombarda’s collaboration with Core42 builds on its growing engagement with the United Arab Emirates. In January 2026, the Italian industrial association established a presence within the Hub for Made in Italy in Abu Dhabi and announced plans to develop an operational office in Dubai. These activities reflect its interest in strengthening international business connections and helping companies from Lombardy explore opportunities in Gulf markets.
The latest agreement introduces a stronger technology focus to that relationship. By working with Core42, Assolombarda can connect its industrial network with Abu Dhabi’s expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem while encouraging discussions around digital infrastructure, secure computing and enterprise AI adoption.
The partnership also comes amid broader economic cooperation between Italy and the UAE. In February 2025, the two countries announced more than 40 agreements during a high-level visit to Rome, alongside a UAE investment commitment of $40 billion. Artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy and advanced technologies featured among the areas of cooperation. Although the Core42 agreement is separate from those commitments, it reflects the growing importance of technology partnerships in bilateral business relations.
Core42 Highlights Data Sovereignty as a Priority for Industrial AI
Core42 Chief Executive Officer Talal M. Al Kaissi has positioned secure and governed infrastructure as an important foundation for bringing artificial intelligence into practical business environments. For industrial companies, adopting AI is not simply a matter of purchasing software or accessing computing power. Businesses must also determine where their information is stored, who can access it and how sensitive data is protected throughout the technology lifecycle.
The partnership with Assolombarda addresses those concerns by focusing on sovereign AI infrastructure and responsible data management. Manufacturers may benefit from AI-powered analysis and automation, but they also need confidence that proprietary information remains protected. Strong governance arrangements can help companies evaluate new technologies while maintaining oversight of their operational data.
Assolombarda President Alvise Biffi has similarly emphasised the importance of digital transformation and data sovereignty for Italian industrial competitiveness. As manufacturers face pressure to modernise their operations, access to reliable technology partners could become increasingly valuable, particularly for smaller businesses that lack extensive internal AI expertise.
UAE’s Sovereign AI Strategy Reaches Deeper Into European Industry
Core42’s agreement with Assolombarda adds another international dimension to the UAE’s efforts to expand its artificial intelligence infrastructure capabilities. The Abu Dhabi-based company has pursued partnerships involving sovereign cloud services, enterprise AI systems and secure computing resources, positioning itself as a technology provider for organisations with demanding data protection and governance requirements.
In July 2026, Core42 partnered with e& UAE to introduce Sovereign AI Compute, an offering designed to provide enterprises and government organisations with access to secure AI computing infrastructure. Its collaboration with Assolombarda follows a different approach, focusing on industrial relationships, technical expertise and potential future applications rather than the immediate launch of a new computing facility.
The distinction is important because the agreement does not represent a completed AI transformation across Lombardy’s manufacturing sector. Companies will still need to assess costs, infrastructure requirements, security standards and the practical benefits of individual AI applications before moving forward with implementation.
For Core42, the partnership provides access to an established industrial network in one of Europe’s major manufacturing regions. For Assolombarda, it creates another route for member companies to explore sovereign AI technologies and international expertise. The next challenge will be turning those discussions into practical projects that deliver measurable results.
Sources
- Core42 — Official Announcement: Core42 and Assolombarda to Promote Sovereign Enabled AI Adoption Across Lombardy’s Industrial Ecosystem
- Middle East AI News: Core42 Signs MoU to Bring Sovereign AI to Lombardy Industry
- Core42: e& UAE and Core42 Partner to Deliver Sovereign AI Infrastructure at Scale
- Core42 — Official Website: https://www.core42.ai/
