The Face of Innovation: Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban’s Impact on Technology in the GCC

Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban has been a stalwart at Oracle for over two decades and is today a champion of the Middle East’s technological development. As Senior Vice President of Technology for Oracle’s ECEMEA regions, his efforts have greatly shaped digital transformation in the GCC and beyond. Abdul has supported AI innovation and championed sustainability, with leadership defining Oracle’s strategic growth and regional influence.

Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban started his Oracle journey in 1996 as a sales director for Saudi Arabia. From his successful experience running a software consultancy, he was fast-tracked through the ranks. Today, as Senior Vice President, he oversees Oracle’s technology strategies and operations in one of its most dynamic territories. Under his leadership, Oracle has established itself as a key partner for governments and private enterprises alike. Al Thehaiban has been particularly instrumental in the adoption of cloud solutions, which have empowered industries to operate with greater efficiency and resilience. His ability to align technology with regional visions such as Saudi Vision 2030 and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 is a reflection of his strategic foresight.

Oracle launched its first Gen 2 Cloud region in Saudi Arabia in 2020. This marked a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to accelerate cloud computing and support businesses in their digital transformations. The infrastructure has empowered organizations in the region with strong tools to utilize the power of AI, IoT, and data analytics.

Al Thehaiban led the launch of the Oracle Innovation Hub in Riyadh in 2019, providing a venue to speed up digital transformation. These hubs are expected to help foster collaboration, innovation, and adoption of advanced technologies. Further plans for additional centres in Saudi Arabia and the UAE further show his commitment to driving regional progress. Al Thehaiban’s initiatives are in harmony with national objectives such as the diversification of economies and the furtherance of tech-driven education. Oracle’s partnerships have ensured that students at these educational institutions are equipped and prepared for a tech-driven world.

Al Thehaiban is an active women in STEM activist and actively engages with forums on promoting diversity in tech fields. He is an executive board member of Young Arab Leaders, which also signifies his involvement in youth empowerment and innovation. Besides inclusiveness, sustainability also remains an anchor under the leadership of Al Thehaiban in Oracle’s strategy. It has initiated several cooperation endeavours, like the green data centre program with Moro Hub in Dubai.

Al Thehaiban acknowledges that businesses have to be agile in an uncertain world. He has promoted Oracle’s cloud technologies as a necessity in dealing with the likes of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the key examples of using technology for societal needs is the work done by Oracle in conjunction with the Saudi Ministry of Health to deploy a chatbot that spread accurate health information.

Al Thehaiban is well beyond innovation in technology because he thinks about the future when data and AI would lead economic and social growth. In preparing organizations with Oracle’s solutions in the cloud, working together between public and private sectors, he helps maintain the region at the pinnacle of the global digital economy.