The collaboration will combine the world-class executive education and leadership expertise of HEC Paris with Artefact's applied AI transformation experience.
Artefact, a global leader in data and AI consulting, and HEC Paris, one of the world's leading business schools, announced a strategic collaboration to develop executive-level AI learning and capability-building programs across the Middle East. Building on an established partnership in France, the initiative will launch in Qatar and Saudi Arabia before expanding from Doha across the wider MENA region.
Through the collaboration, HEC Paris will contribute its expertise in leadership development, executive education, faculty and academic excellence, as well as its regional network and institutional presence, while Artefact will bring its applied AI expertise and experience delivering AI transformations for governments and major organisations, providing access to practitioners, real-world cases, and insights across AI strategy, GenAI, agentic AI, data platforms, governance, and adoption.
Designed for ministers, board members, executive teams, and senior government and business leaders, the programs address critical strategic decisions around AI adoption. They will cover key topics including AI strategy and value creation, AI governance, investment and risk, AI operating models and service and process redesign, workforce capability and adoption at scale, and the practical application of GenAI and agentic AI.
Commenting on this partnership, Rahul Arya, Managing Partner & CEO, Artefact Middle East, Southeast Asia & India, said: "This collaboration brings together world-class leadership education and deep, hands-on experience delivering AI transformation in the real world. Together, we want to give leaders the perspective, tools, and practical understanding to turn AI ambition into sustainable organisational impact across the MENA region."
On behalf of HEC Paris, Doha, Joshua Kobb, Chief Growth and Impact Officer, said: "AI is reshaping how organizations create value, make decisions, and build new capabilities. For leaders, the challenge is not simply understanding the technology but knowing how to translate its potential into strategic choices, responsible adoption, and sustainable impact. By bringing together the expertise of HEC Paris in executive education and leadership development with the practical experience of Artefact in AI transformation, this collaboration will create a learning experience grounded in both global perspectives and real-world application. We look forward to supporting leaders across the region as they navigate the opportunities and complexities of AI and contribute to shaping the transformation agendas of the region."
The partnership will also create opportunities for broader academic and talent collaboration, where Artefact practitioners will contribute to HEC Paris courses, masterclasses, hackathons, applied student projects, internships, and regional career pathways.
About Artefact
Artefact is a global leader in data and AI transformation, dedicated to transforming data into business impact across the entire value chain of organizations. The company offers a broad range of services, from data and AI strategy to the deployment of AI solutions at scale, combining consulting expertise, data science, technology, and industry knowledge to help organizations accelerate their transformation and generate measurable business impact.
Headquartered in Paris, Artefact operates with more than 2,500 employees across 36 offices in 27 countries. It is trusted by the world's most recognized brands and institutions, including Coca-Cola, Samsung, L'Oréal, Sanofi, Carrefour, and LVMH.
In the Middle East, Artefact has worked with leading organizations such as the National Planning Council, Ooredoo, and Al Jazeera in Qatar. In Saudi Arabia, Artefact works with Aramco, the National Industrial and Mining Information Center (NIMIC), the Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Riyadh Air, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Qiddiya, the Insurance Authority, Sehati, Abdul Latif Jameel Group, Thiqah, and Remat Advanced Industries. In the UAE, it works with Dubai Land Department (DLD), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DTCM), Wasl, Nakheel, Damac, Jumeirah Group, Fly Dubai, and Emirates.