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Brisbane-based infrastructure provider OneQode has partnered with Hitachi Vantara and Cylix Applied Intelligence to launch a Sovereign AI Factory initiative, a multimillion-dollar alliance aimed at deploying sovereign AI infrastructure across multiple markets.
Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore have been selected for the initial phase, with the United States targeted for future expansion.
What each partner brings
The initiative combines infrastructure, data platforms and AI operations capabilities from each of the three partners.
OneQode provides energy, facilities, telecommunications and compute infrastructure, including GPU compute connected by its low-latency global backbone. Hitachi Vantara contributes Hitachi iQ, a validated AI infrastructure platform that integrates accelerated compute, networking and storage to keep data close to where it is processed. Cylix Applied Intelligence architects and operates the AI layer, from readiness assessments and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) deployments through to fully managed production AI services.
The goal is to offer a turnkey sovereign AI platform that allows organisations to train and deploy AI models securely, keep sensitive data within their own jurisdiction and scale operations.
Gaming roots to sovereign infrastructure
Matt Shearing, CEO of OneQode, pointed to the company’s background in latency-sensitive industries as a foundation for the initiative.
“We cut our teeth on gaming and financial services, building infrastructure for firms where microseconds matter,” Shearing explained. “It’s given us a particular way of thinking about compute, networking and data centre operations, and there’s real demand across the Global South for sovereign AI infrastructure built to that standard, and this alliance lets us deliver it.”
Data sovereignty now a board-level concern
Nathan Knight, Vice President and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Hitachi Vantara, noted a shift in how Australian enterprises are approaching procurement.
“More than half of the enterprise tenders we’re seeing in Australia now specify sovereign-capable solutions,” Knight observed. “Boards and management teams are now treating data sovereignty as a critical requirement alongside operational resilience and security.”
He warned that in the event of foreign ownership, control and intervention, the impact on critical infrastructure and intellectual property could be severe.
“We applaud OneQode’s decision to make Australia one of the first locations for its Sovereign AI Factory network, and we’re committed to supporting that ambition with infrastructure that meets the standard these workloads demand,” Knight added.
Operationalising AI at scale
Ross DiStefano, Senior Vice President of HPC and AI at Cylix Applied Intelligence, stressed that sovereign AI requires more than infrastructure alone.
“Sovereign AI requires more than infrastructure; it requires the ability to operationalize AI at scale,” DiStefano remarked. “At Cylix, we design and deploy Sovereign AI Factory architectures and deliver fully managed AI services on top of OneQode’s sovereign infrastructure and Hitachi iQ platforms.”
He added that the approach allows organisations to move from concept to production while maintaining control over data, compliance and their operational environment.
“Our role is to ensure AI workloads are not just deployed, but continuously optimized, governed, and delivering real business value,” DiStefano explained.
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The partners
OneQode is a global provider of digital infrastructure operating an integrated technology stack spanning energy, facilities, network and high-performance compute across Asia-Pacific and other markets. More information is available at oneqode.com.
Cylix Applied Intelligence is a global AI solutions firm that provides end-to-end AI strategy, development, infrastructure expertise and managed AI services. More information is available at cylixsolutions.com.
Hitachi Vantara is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. (TSE: 6501), providing data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise. More information is available at hitachivantara.com.
Last Updated on April 8, 2026 by Nick Ross
