376 AI firms from 62 countries competed; 12 selected

Selection opens doors to MENA, European and Central Asian sovereign AI markets

[Provided by Dtonic]
[Provided by Dtonic]

By Jung Yoon-hee, The Herald Business

AI platform company Dtonic has secured a foundation for global partnerships aimed at expanding into sovereign AI markets across the Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Central Asia.

Dtonic announced Tuesday that it has been selected for Cohort II, a global AI accelerator program run by Presight, a publicly listed core affiliate of global AI technology group G42.

The program, now in its second cohort following last year's inaugural edition, drew 376 AI companies from 62 countries. Presight conducted a rigorous screening process beginning in April — including document reviews, technical assessments and in-depth interviews — before finalizing 12 AI companies.

Presight described Dtonic as "an AI-powered data platform that converts spatiotemporal and physical-world data for AI cities, defense and retail operations into real-time operational intelligence."

Dtonic said the selection connects it directly to the global AI ecosystem built by G42 Group, which works closely with major technology companies including Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia to establish a presence in emerging AI markets worldwide.

Presight said it plans to link selected companies to G42 Group's global AI ecosystem, providing access to hyperscale computing infrastructure, technical support and opportunities to collaborate with its global AI partner network.

Dtonic has already built a local presence through smart city and smart retail projects in Europe and the MENA region. The company said the Cohort II selection will accelerate its push into global sovereign AI markets.

The selection also improves Dtonic's prospects for attracting investment. Cohort II participants gain access to leading investors in the global technology sector, including Jack Selby of Thiel Capital, and are considered for investment through Presight's own fund.

"This selection means that Dtonic's AI platform technology and business capabilities have been recognized in the global market," said Jeon Yong-ju, chief executive of Dtonic. "We will move forward in earnest to expand our sovereign AI business in MENA and other emerging markets, leveraging the AI ecosystem of G42 Group and Presight."

Dtonic was also recently selected for a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-led AI-specialized pilot city project, in partnership with the cities of Cheonan and Asan and other major AI companies. The company is also working with LIG Defense & Aerospace to advance a software-defined defense operating environment.


yuni@heraldcorp.com