Riyadh-based AI infrastructure startup OmniOps has partnered with Kurdistan’s Allai Newroz Telecom to launch KI, the first conversational AI platform built specifically for the Kurdish language. The deal marks a significant cross-border expansion for the Saudi company and brings advanced AI tools to a language community of over 30 million people for the first time.
Quick Facts
- Product: KI, the first Kurdish conversational AI
- Partnership: Saudi’s OmniOps & Kurdistan’s Allai Newroz Telecom
- Technology: On-premises deployment via OmniOps’ Bunyan platform
- Funding: OmniOps is backed by an $8 million pre-seed round
A Sovereign AI Model for Regional Markets
The new platform, KI, runs on Bunyan, OmniOps’ proprietary AI inferencing platform. In a move that addresses growing regional concerns about data sovereignty, the entire system is deployed on-premises within Allai Newroz Telecom’s own infrastructure. This ensures all AI workloads and data processing remain inside the Kurdistan Region, giving the telecom operator full control over data security and regulatory compliance without depending on external cloud providers.
This on-premises model serves as a practical template for OmniOps’ broader strategy. The Saudi company plans to roll out sovereign AI solutions across emerging markets by collaborating with regional telcos and other partners, replicating this deployment model in new sectors and geographies.
Bridging a Major Language Gap
Until now, the estimated 30 to 40 million Kurdish speakers worldwide have been largely excluded from mainstream AI developments. KI directly addresses this gap by supporting three major Kurdish dialects: Sorani (Central Kurdish), Badini (Southeastern Kurmanji), and Kurmanji. The platform also supports Arabic and English, making it a versatile tool for the region.
The collaboration is the first Saudi-Kurdish technology partnership of its kind. OmniOps provides the core AI infrastructure and expertise, while Allai Newroz Telecom, a provider in Kurdistan and Iraq since 2007, offers local connectivity, distribution, and crucial market access.
OmniOps’ Rapid Growth Trajectory
Founded in May 2024, OmniOps secured SAR 30 million ($8 million) in a pre-seed round just seven months later from Riyadh-based GMS Capital Ventures. The funding was allocated to scale operations, R&D, and build out its energy-efficient AI infrastructure.
The company claims its technology offers up to 14x better GPU inference efficiency and a 50 percent reduction in GPU power consumption for its clients. This value proposition is highly relevant as Saudi Arabia anticipates over $15 billion in data centre investments by 2030 from hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Early clients for OmniOps include Saudi Airlines and CNTXT, and it works with major tech players like NVIDIA, Google Cloud, and IBM.
About OmniOps
OmniOps is a Riyadh-based AI infrastructure startup founded in 2024. The company specializes in providing on-premises, energy-efficient AI inferencing platforms that allow organizations to maintain data sovereignty and control over their AI workloads.
Source: Middle East AI News
