e& launches first AI laptop capable of working offline in the UAE

The Snapdragon-powered device keeps sensitive data and AI processing on the laptop.

UAE tech giant e& has launched its first AI-powered laptop, offering government and enterprise customers the ability to run tools without an internet connection.

The AI Laptop by e& uses Snapdragon X Series processors from Qualcomm Technologies and contains built-in large language models (LLMs) specifically optimised for the hardware.

This allows designated AI tasks to be performed directly on the laptop rather than sending information to an external cloud platform.

The approach is intended to address one of the principal concerns preventing governments and regulated businesses from adopting generative AI more widely: how to use the technology without transferring sensitive data outside their own systems.

By keeping selected data, models and processing on the device, e& says customers can retain greater control over confidential information while reducing their exposure to third-party cloud environments.

Targeted sectors

The laptop is being offered to enterprise customers in the UAE, with government, financial services, healthcare, education, logistics and energy identified as target sectors.

It could also be deployed at oil and gas facilities, logistics centres and remote educational institutions where internet connectivity may be unreliable or deliberately restricted for security reasons.

“Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to introduce the first AI Laptop by e& powered by Snapdragon X Series processors combines data sovereignty with advanced productivity in a secure, offline-capable platform,” said Abdulla Ebrahim Al Ahmed, chief government and VVIP relations officer at e& UAE.

“By embedding advanced intelligence directly into the hardware, we are supporting the UAE’s ambition to lead in AI innovation by placing secure, localised computing power directly into the hands of the workforce driving our economy forward.”

The development comes as technology companies increasingly shift some AI processing from large data centres to personal devices.

On-device models

Running models locally can reduce the delay involved in sending information to and from the cloud. It can also lower an organisation’s dependence on internet connectivity, although cloud systems will remain necessary for more computationally intensive applications.

Mohammed Al Khairy, head of edge AI for the Middle East and Africa at Qualcomm, said on-device models could help enterprises increase productivity while retaining control over their data.

Two versions of the laptop will initially be offered, but the company has not disclosed the laptop’s price or confirmed whether it will eventually be offered directly to individual consumers.

Enterprise customers will instead be able to contact e& to discuss configurations and organisation-wide deployment.