The collaboration will combine the world-class executive education and leadership expertise of HEC Paris with Artefact’s applied AI transformation experience.

Doha, Qatar; 19 October 2026 – 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 consulting and engineering firm specializing in data and AI services, headquartered in Paris, and a leader in Europe. We are present in 27 countries across all continents (Europe, Asia, Americas, Middle East, India, Africa).

We specialize in AI & data transformation for enterprises and offer the most comprehensive set of data-driven solutions per industry, built on deep data science and cutting-edge AI technologies, delivering AI projects at scale in all industry sectors. We partner with 1000+ clients, including some of the world’s top 300 brands such as L’Oréal, Orange, Sanofi and Unilever.

In the Middle East, Artefact has worked with leading organizations such as the National Planning Council, malomatia, Ooredoo, AlJazeera, Qatar Customs in Qatar. In Saudi Arabia Artefact works with Aramco, National industrial and mining information center (NIMIC), Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Riyadh Air, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Qiddiya, ّInsurance Authority, Sehati, Abdul Latif Jameel Group, Thiqah, and Remat Advanced Industries in Saudi Arabia as well as Dubai Land Department (DLD), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DTCM), Wasl, Nakheel, Damac, Jumeirah Group, Fly Dubai, and Emirates in the UAE.

More information on: www.artefact.com

About HEC Paris, Doha

Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, HEC Paris is a leading European business school with the ambition to make a positive impact on both business and society. Its mission is driven by a unique “Think, Teach, Act” approach, aimed at fostering a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous world. With 167 research professors from around the globe, HEC Paris produces and shares cutting-edge knowledge with over 5,000 students from more than 130 countries. Its campus serves as a true laboratory of innovation and dialogue, fully engaged with the world’s diversity and global challenges.

In 2010, HEC Paris joined Qatar Foundation to bring world-class management education programs and research to Doha and the region. Through its portfolio of programs and its local research activities, HEC Paris, Doha contributes to corporate competitiveness in the global economy, fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and supporting the transformation of Qatar into a sustainable, competitive, and knowledge-based economy. In addition to offering degree programs, the school partners with corporate clients in Qatar and the region to design and deliver customized executive programs addressing current business and organizational challenges.

More information on: www.qatar.exed.hec.edu

Press contact

Carola Naccache
carola.naccache@artefact.com