Technology, education driving digital transformation in Middle East, Intel chairman says

Intel chairman Craig Barrett announced the chip giant’s digital transformation initiative to build on the company’s economic, educational and technology-related support throughout the region and the work of Intel’s $1 billion World Ahead program that includes training 1,000 engineers on multi-core computer development at regional labs.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor -- Electronic News, 5/8/2008

Intel Corp [INTC] chairman Craig Barrett shared his vision on the role of technology and education in driving a digital transformation in the Middle East during a speech at the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum in Washington, D.C. this week.

“Education and technology can expand what is possible and create opportunities for people across the Middle East. The foundation for innovation in today's knowledge based economy relies on a highly educated workforce and a strong technology infrastructure. Together they make up the backbone of the modern economy,” Barrett said, also noting that such a region-wide agenda requires the combined efforts of the public and private sectors.

Further, Barrett announced the digital transformation initiative to build on Intel's economic, educational and technology-related support throughout the region and the work of Intel’s $1 billion World Ahead program that includes training 1,000 engineers on multi-core computer development at regional labs. Other initiatives part of the program include hosting internships and researchers visiting from the Middle East at Intel Research Labs globally, as well as developing wireless competency centers in the region to assist local telecom operators successfully accelerate WiMAX deployments.

Indeed, Intel is keenly interested in WiMAX, as it announced yesterday that it is making a significant investment to help accelerate the deployment of the first US mobile WiMAX network and provide a true mobile-broadband experience.

Intel is also committed to the U.S.-Palestine Partnership with focus on training teachers, unwiring the West Bank and initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship, Barrett noted.

These programs plus additional regional activities will be disclosed at the World Economic Forum Middle East later in the month.

In the efforts to develop suitable environments for innovation and research, Intel reminded that it currently works with several local governments, educational institutions, businesses, non-government organizations, non-profit organizations, and local businesses to expand the use and understanding of technology, and over the past decade, has expanded its operations in the Middle East to include offices in Cairo, Riyadh, Beirut, Dubai and Casablanca.

 Also part of Intel’s World Ahead program are the future Classmate PCs, which will be based on the Atom processor.