HCLSoftware is doubling down on digital sovereignty with the launch of HCL Domino 14.5, its latest upgrade to the long-standing enterprise collaboration suite. The update includes Domino IQ, a sovereign AI extension designed to give organizations precise control over how artificial intelligence interacts with sensitive data—without defaulting to foreign-owned cloud services.
With this release, HCL is aiming squarely at governments, private banks, and other regulated sectors increasingly wary of data exposure and third-party dependencies—especially those governed by strict privacy rules like the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act.
“Governments and regulated organizations are increasingly concerned about their data sovereignty,” said Richard Jefts, EVP and GM at HCLSoftware. “With Domino+ 14.5, we’re helping over 200 agencies safeguard their most sensitive communications and content.”
What’s New in Domino 14.5?
The marquee feature is Domino IQ, which extends the platform’s secure communication and collaboration suite with AI capabilities that respect jurisdictional data control. Unlike generative AI services from U.S.-based hyperscalers like OpenAI or Anthropic, Domino IQ allows organizations to deploy models that are built in-house or sourced from trusted, sovereign vendors, ensuring compliance with both regulatory requirements and internal risk policies.
Other enhancements include deeper integration with secure hosting environments and a stronger focus on compliance-driven collaboration—covering everything from chat and email to video and file sharing.
A European Cloud for a European AI Act
The sovereign cloud infrastructure behind Domino+ is powered by IONOS, the German cloud provider known for offering cloud environments that are immune to foreign jurisdictional overreach, including the U.S. CLOUD Act.
“True digital sovereignty is the key to Europe’s digital future,” said Achim Weiss, CEO of IONOS. “Our platform is secure, powerful, and above all, free from foreign access.”
That last point matters. As geopolitical tensions rise and nations get serious about data control, organizations across Europe—and increasingly in Asia and Latin America—are rethinking their dependence on U.S.-based cloud AI platforms. The rise of regional alternatives to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud reflects a broader trend toward digital independence.
Why It Matters
The Domino platform has always attracted loyalty from security-conscious enterprises and public institutions, particularly in Europe. But in an era when even collaboration tools can become vectors for data exposure, Domino 14.5 modernizes its offering with AI while preserving its roots in privacy and control.
For organizations navigating a regulatory minefield or geopolitical uncertainty, this launch may serve as a template for building AI into the enterprise without outsourcing control to hyperscalers.
That’s a message with growing resonance—especially in regulated sectors, where privacy isn’t just a feature, it’s a non-negotiable.
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