AD Ports Group is embedding artificial intelligence deeper into its operations with a new enterprise platform designed to augment 20 workstreams across the business.

As trade and logistics operators race to improve efficiency, AI is becoming a competitive advantage. AD Ports Group’s new Intelligence Headquarters (IHQ) aims to help the company make faster decisions, automate routine tasks, and scale operations across its growing global network.

The new system will deploy thousands of digital workers across key business functions as AD Ports Group expands its use of AI across global operations.

Why You Should Care

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a competitive differentiator across global trade and logistics. Companies are increasingly using AI not only to automate routine tasks but also to optimize operations, improve forecasting, and make faster decisions across complex supply chains.

For AD Ports Group, the launch of IHQ signals a shift from deploying AI in isolated use cases to embedding it across the business at scale. By introducing thousands of digital workers across 20 workstreams, the company aims to increase operational capacity without a corresponding increase in resources, while improving efficiency across its ports, maritime, logistics, and industrial businesses.

The move also reflects a broader trend across the Gulf, where state-backed enterprises are investing heavily in AI as part of national strategies to boost productivity and strengthen global competitiveness. As trade volumes grow and supply chains become more complex, companies that successfully integrate AI into core operations could gain a significant advantage in speed, cost efficiency, and service delivery.

The Details

AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi’s trade, logistics, and ports operator, announced the launch of IHQ, an AI-powered business intelligence platform that will deploy thousands of digital workers across 20 workstreams.

The initiative supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which seeks to position the country as a global leader in AI adoption. It aims to integrate IHQ across its ports, logistics, maritime, economic cities, free zones, and digital businesses. The goal is to improve operational efficiency, customer service, and decision-making through AI-powered automation and analytics.

“Every workstream ‎selected for AI-powered transformation sits at a critical juncture, where artificial ‎intelligence can measurably improve speed, accuracy and decision quality,” said Mohamed Jamal-Eddine, Group Chief Digital & Information Officer, AD Ports ‎Group. 

At the time of the launch, IHQ features a number of transformed workflow ‎demonstrations across workstreams. This includes port and berth optimisation, vessel ‎arrival orchestration, software development and talent acquisition.‎

The Ripple

The launch highlights how Gulf infrastructure companies are moving beyond AI experimentation and toward enterprise-wide deployment.

For Abu Dhabi, AI-enabled trade infrastructure could strengthen its position as a regional logistics hub while supporting broader efforts to diversify the economy through advanced technology.

The move also raises the competitive bar for ports, logistics providers, and supply chain operators across the region. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in trade operations, efficiency gains could increasingly influence how companies compete for customers and cargo volumes.

What to Watch

The next milestone will be execution.

AD Ports Group will need to demonstrate that AI adoption can translate into measurable improvements in operational efficiency, service quality, and profitability. If successful, IHQ could become one of the region’s most significant examples of large-scale AI deployment within critical trade and logistics infrastructure.