FEATURE: DATA STORAGE AND DATA ARCHITECTURES
“ We are seeing a shift toward practical AI applications built on enterprise-specific data,” adds Zouari. and Saudi Arabia investing in AI are experiencing improved business performance.
AI advancements have relied heavily on foundation models trained on public datasets. The future lies in leveraging private organisational data to develop AI solutions that deliver tangible value, whether improving decision-making, enhancing productivity, or automating complex processes. However, enterprises demand reliability and trustworthiness from these applications.
CIOs can harness new data storage and architecture innovations by adopting multi-cloud and hybrid strategies for improved flexibility and cost efficiency. AIdriven storage and automation optimise performance, automate management, and strengthen security. Data mesh and fabric solutions enable decentralised data access and real-time insights, while Zero-Trust and blockchain approaches ensure robust data integrity.
A MAJOR PART OF THIS PARADIGM IS THE SHIFT LEFT APPROACH, BRINGING GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE TO DATA AT THE POINT OF CREATION.
“ In 2024, we strengthened data governance and AI observability, helping enterprises build trust in their insights. We were recognised for our low hallucination rates, showing the value we provide enterprises in delivering trusted and accurate answers,” explains Snowflake’ s Zouari.
“ Moving forward, we will strengthen this and be an enabler of collaboration between industry players, governments, and content providers to ensure innovation flourishes responsibly, balancing technological progress with societal trust.”
Adoption trends for CIOs
CIOs must adopt modern cloud-powered data platforms to drive cost efficiencies, ensure strong governance, and capitalise on innovations such as scalability, interoperability, and AI readiness. By leveraging platforms that separate computing and storage, organisations gain the ability to dynamically scale resources based on near real-time demand. The shift toward open data formats allows for seamless data integration across multiple vendors, removing traditional silos.
Additionally, with the rise of AI, organisations will be able to integrate AI and machine learning directly into their modern data platform, enabling real-time analytics and automated decision-making. A recent report revealed that 88 % of organisations in the UAE
Additionally, edge computing lowers latency for IoT applications, and shifting to object or softwaredefined storage boosts scalability. Finally, AI-powered data governance and compliance features support streamlined lifecycle management and help align with regulatory standards.
“ Key trends and innovations in data storage and data architectures include the growth of cloud-native and multi-cloud storage to enhance flexibility and avoid vendor lock-in. AI-driven storage is optimising data management, automation, and performance prediction,” says Khalil Yazbeck, Business Development Manager UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, Kingston Technology.
Decentralised architectures such as Data Mesh and Data Fabric improve data accessibility and governance. Edge computing storage enables data to be stored and processed closer to devices for low latency. Blockchain for Data Integrity is being utilised for secure, tamperproof storage to ensure compliance.
Object and software-defined storage provide scalable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional storage. Cybersecurity and Zero Trust Storage strengthen encryption and access controls to prevent breaches.
These innovations collectively enhance efficiency, security, and scalability across modern data ecosystems. Alongside these trends, U. 2 2.5” NVMe SSDs have become mainstream, with a gradual transition from PCIe Gen4 to PCIe Gen5 technology that doubles per-lane throughput from 2GBps to 4GBps. For instance, models like the DC3000ME require 4 PCIe lanes, meaning overall performance is tied to the PCIe generation in use.
Additionally, emerging SSD form factors such as E1. S and E3. S are beginning to appear, further expanding the storage options available to datadriven businesses.
“ CIOs should not look at data complexity as a challenge. It is about an opportunity to lead
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