Persistent Systems, a global Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization leader and Kong, a leading developer of API and AI connectivity, today announced a strategic partnership to help enterprises implement the control layer required to scale AI securely and reliably. Persistent is uniquely positioned as Kong's global systems integration partner, combining its engineering-led approach with Kong's unified API and AI connectivity platform to simplify integration, strengthen governance and accelerate enterprise AI adoption.
Persistent named Kong's global systems integration partner for enterprise AI production.
Partnership addresses API, data pipelines, models, and agents converging into single operational fabric.
Enables Kong's governed connectivity layer across APIs, data, and AI services.
Supports Model Context Protocol (MCP)-based architectures with built-in security and observability.
Includes PII protection, centralized access management, and end-to-end observability.
Persistent has over 27,500 employees across 21 countries.
As enterprises move from AI experimentation to production, the challenge is no longer access to models. It is how AI systems are connected, governed and operated at scale. APIs, data pipelines, models and agents are converging into a single operational fabric. Without a unified control layer, this fabric becomes fragmented, difficult to govern and increasingly complex to scale.
This partnership addresses that gap by enabling enterprises to implement Kong's governed, scalable connectivity layer across APIs, data and AI services. Together, Persistent and Kong will enable organizations to modernize legacy API environments, strengthen governance and reduce operational costs, while supporting high-performance workloads seamlessly across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
The collaboration also enables enterprises to operationalize GenAI and agentic workflows, including Model Context Protocol-based architectures, with built-in security, observability and policy-driven control. This includes policy-driven safeguards such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) protection, centralized access management and end-to-end observability, ensuring enterprise-grade security and compliance across API and AI interactions.
Anand Krishnan, Executive Vice President, Persistent:
"Enterprise AI will not be defined by who has access to models. It will be defined by how effectively organizations can govern how intelligence flows across their systems. APIs are no longer just integration points. They are the control layer for enterprise AI. Our partnership with Kong brings together Persistent's engineering-led approach with a unified connectivity platform to help clients move from fragmented AI initiatives to scalable, production-grade systems. Together, we are enabling enterprises to build AI that is secure, controlled and ready to deliver real business outcomes."
Ken Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development, Kong:
"Enterprises are moving fast to put AI into production, and APIs are critical for connecting services, data, and model endpoints across complex environments. At Kong, we are building the AI Connectivity infrastructure so organizations can secure, manage, govern, and scale traffic across APIs and AI workloads on any model or any cloud. We are excited to have Persistent as a key global integration partner, bringing deep digital engineering expertise that complements our unified API and AI platform. Together, we can help customers modernize integration and deploy enterprise AI with consistent policy enforcement, secure access controls, and strong observability and audit trails."
The partnership advances Persistent's AI-first, platform-driven approach by creating a more predictable path from AI ambition to enterprise-scale execution. By combining Kong's AI Gateway and unified API and AI connectivity platform with Persistent's GenAI Hub and engineering-led delivery, organizations can move beyond isolated use cases toward governed, production-grade AI systems with greater control, lower risk and faster realization of business value.
About Kong Inc.
Kong Inc., a leading developer of API and AI connectivity technologies, is building the connectivity layer of AI. Trusted by the Fortune 500 and AI-native startups alike, Kong's unified API and AI platform enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI traffic — on any model, any cloud.
About Persistent
Persistent Systems is a global services and solutions company delivering AI-led, platform-driven Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization to businesses across industries. With over 27,500 employees located in 21 countries, the Company is committed to innovation and client success. Persistent offers a comprehensive suite of services, including software engineering, product development, data and analytics, CX transformation, cloud computing, and intelligent automation.
TechIntelPro empowers B2B technology decision-makers with the latest industry trends, deep insights, leadership perspectives and actionable intelligence to drive both organizational and professional milestones—and thrive on the tech pulse.