2026 speakers

With a visionary approach to digital transformation in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, His Excellency Younus Al Nasser has devoted his career and efforts to advancing the implementation of data science and its applications in the city of Dubai. His work underscores the strategic importance of data as a foundational asset for informed decision-making and sustainable progress. Recognizing the transformative power of data early on, Al Nasser co-founded the city’s Open Data Committee in 2014, laying the groundwork for robust governance frameworks that enable open data access for developers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers across industries. His leadership journey gained momentum when he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Data Establishment from 2016 to 2021. During this tenure, he pioneered governance models and advanced standards for data sharing within an integrated digital ecosystem. A key milestone in this period was the launch of the “Data Champions Network,” an initiative fostering data literacy across government and semi-government entities. He also spearheaded the creation of Dubai Pulse, the city’s first open data-sharing platform, and developed strategies to integrate the private sector into Dubai’s data economy, paving the way for advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and enhanced decision-making. His contributions directly supported Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33) by driving digital innovation and economic growth. Through these achievements, Al Nasser cemented his reputation as a leading figure in digital transformation, both locally and globally. In recognition of his impact, he was appointed Chief Executive of the Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment under Digital Dubai in 2023. In 2025, a resolution was issued establishing the Data and Statistics Committee in the Emirate of Dubai, with Al Nasser appointed as Vice Chairman. The committee is tasked with strategically organizing and coordinating efforts among government and non-government entities to accelerate the development of an integrated, interconnected digital ecosystem—driven by advanced artificial intelligence and data analytics technologies. With this appointment, Al Nasser embarked on a new phase in his career, during which he has been instrumental in shaping and executing Dubai’s digital strategy, aiming to digitalize life in Dubai and establish the city as a global digital capital and the world’s most seamless place to live in alignment of the wise leadership’s vision. His leadership has guided Dubai’s transition from e- Government to Smart Dubai and, ultimately, Digital Dubai—leveraging data science and artificial intelligence to create smarter, more efficient urban experiences. Al Nasser combines graciousness, clarity, and persuasive power with exceptional leadership and communication skills. His contemporary and polished style enables him to engage and inspire diverse audiences, making him a sought-after speaker. He effectively drives awareness and adoption of data- driven transformation while championing the role of technology in advancing society and achieving Dubai’s strategic objectives. A defining moment in his career came during the COVID-19 pandemic when, as a member of the Dubai COVID-19 Command and Control Center, he played a critical role in leveraging data and technology to ensure the safety and well- being of Dubai’s residents. His efforts helped position Dubai as one of the few global cities that maintained business continuity throughout the crisis, ensuring that daily life and economic activity never came to a halt. Currently, as Chief Executive of the Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment, Al Nasser oversees the execution of Dubai’s digital vision while anticipating future technological trends. A prime example of his strategic foresight is his leadership in developing Dubai’s Data Center Economy framework, aimed at establishing the city as a global hub for AI-powered, sustainable data centers. Approved by the Executive Council, this initiative will increase Dubai’s data center capacity fivefold and generate over AED 14.3 billion in added value by 2028. In leading the city’s data and statistics ecosystem, Al Nasser continues to position data as a strategic asset, integral to decision-making, policy development, programs, and plans—while steadfastly upholding the principles of reliability, transparency, and the protection of individual and organizational privacy. He has championed the use of synthetic data to enhance AI applications while ensuring privacy protection, and he has pioneered real-time, interconnected data lakes to support advanced analytics, forecasting, and evidence-based governance. H.E also spearheaded the development of interconnected real-time database, utilizing advanced methodologies and cutting-edge data science and analytics techniques to enable forecasting across multiple domains. This initiative aims to empower decision-makers with accurate data and statistics while generating significant economic and social value from the city’s data assets. Al Nasser’s contributions extend beyond Dubai, reinforcing his role as a key player in the UAE’s digital transformation. He is a member of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, which shapes policies that accelerate AI adoption and innovation. Additionally, he serves as Vice Chair of the United Nations’ Global Councils on Sustainable Development Goals, collaborating with international decision-makers to drive innovative projects that support global sustainability. He also served as Vice Chair of the United Nations’ Global Councils on Sustainable Development Goals—a multidisciplinary network of decision- makers, international organizations, academic institutions, non-profits, and private sector leaders collaborating to develop innovative projects and explore creative ideas that advance the global implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. He also holds leadership roles as Vice President and Board Trustee of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, a member of the National Statistics Committee, a member of the Higher Committee for the Dubai Cashless Initiative, a member of the Steering Committee for Measuring Workforce Productivity in the Government of Dubai, and a Board Member of the Dubai Media Council. His past positions include Assistant Director-General of Smart Dubai and Project and Security Systems Manager at the Dubai Electronic Security Center, where he led mission-critical digital initiatives. He holds a degree in Business Information Technology from the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. Throughout his career, Al Nasser has been the driving force behind numerous data and statistics initiatives, including the Dubai Dashboard, Dubai Registers, the Dubai Data & AI Platform, the Real-Time Census Initiative, and key economic and social surveys such as the Economic Survey, Household Income Survey, and Labor Force Survey. Despite his demanding professional commitments, he makes time for his personal passions, including desert camping and cycling—activities that reflect his appreciation for balance and exploration in both his personal and professional life.

Arif Amiri is the Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority where he is responsible for setting the strategy and growth direction of the Authority. Under his leadership, DIFC has emerged as a powerful catalyst for the financial services sector, as well as the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Moran Cerf is a neuroscientist and professor of business. He is the director of the lab for advanced technology and human performance at Columbia University and an academic director in executive education. Additionally, he is the Alfred P. Sloan Professor at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AFI). Prof. Cerf holds a PhD in neuroscience (Caltech), an MA in Philosophy of Science, and a BSc in Physics (Tel-Aviv University). In his research, Prof. Cerf studies patients undergoing brain surgery with neural implants embedded deep inside their heads to address questions concerning consciousness, dreams, behavior change, and decision-making. His work has paved the way for several key neuroscience disciplines, including advanced brain-machine interfaces, and is at the heart of numerous commercial applications (i.e., Neuralink, Paradromic). He is the founder of Return on AI (http://r-o.ai), a professional services organization specializing in the interface of neuroscience and AI. Recently, he has been involved in implementing key lessons from his studies to help leaders improve critical decision-making protocols (i.e., helping devise the new US nuclear launch protocol). Previously, he spent a decade working in cybersecurity, as a hacker, and served as a board member of several public companies. Cerf published papers in academic journals (i.e., Nature, Science) and popular science ones (Scientific American, Wired, New Scientist, …). He is a contributor to numerous media outlets (Forbes, Atlantic, BBC, Bloomberg, Time, NYT, New Yorker, …), and his work has been portrayed in venues like CNN, Fox, or Netflix Explained and featured in TV shows such as Bull, Limitless, House, Mr. Robot, and more. His work was recently turned into an Off-Broadway show (“Sans Me”).

Arvind Jain is the Co-founder and CEO of Glean, the AI-powered work assistant that brings people the answers needed to be more productive and happier at work. Prior to Glean, Arvind co-founded and led R&D at Rubrik, a leading cloud data management provider. Before that, Arvind spent over a decade at Google as a distinguished engineer, leading teams in Google’s Search, Maps, and YouTube products. Arvind previously held leadership positions at Akamai and Microsoft, after earning his BTech in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and his Masters in Computer Science from the University of Washington.

Marco Casalaina is VP Products of Core AI and AI Futurist at Microsoft. He leads the AI Futures team, which finds trends and develops products that will lead to the next generation of AI. He has previously led a number of teams across Azure AI, including Azure OpenAI, Vision, Speech, Decision, Language, Responsible AI, and AI Studio. Prior to coming to Microsoft, Marco led the Einstein AI team at Salesforce. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Cornell University.

Alex Aliper, PhD, is the President of Insilico Medicine. He pioneered the application of AI in multi-omics data for drug discovery and drug repurposing, generative chemistry and generative biology and put an AI-designed drug into human clinical trials. Alex Aliper built a team of over 100 AI engineers that developed state-of-the-art software products for target discovery, small molecule generation and clinical trial outcome prediction. He was recognised as “Top 100 AI Leaders in Drug Discovery and Advanced Healthcare” by Deep Knowledge Analytics. In 2020 Endpoint News selected Alex Aliper as the top 20 under 40 biotechnology executives globally.

Mario Nobile is Director-General of the Agency for Digital Italy (AgID), the technical Agency of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers that ensures the achievement of the Italian digital agenda objectives, coordinating all public administrations. A visionary leader with a Ph.D. in Transport Engineering and a strong background in public sector innovation, he drives the country’s digital transformation strategy and oversees the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in public administration, as set out in the EU AI Act Regulation. Committed to shaping the future, Nobile actively contributes to the implementation of these policies and acts as a leading advocate and communicator, sharing insights on digitalization, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies at major national and international forums. His forward-thinking approach and ability to anticipate trends make him a key player in fostering innovation and enabling systemic change for Italy’s digital future. Previously, he led major projects in autonomous driving, smart mobility, open data, and digital public services, serving as Director General of IT systems at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Piotr Tomasik is the President and Co-Founder of TensorWave. With a career spanning over two decades, Piotr has consistently driven innovation and growth in the tech industry, particularly in the realms of AI, Creator Economy and SaaS platforms. Before founding TensorWave, Piotr was a General Partner at 1864 Fund, where he continues to invest in and support high-tech ventures and startups in Las Vegas. His extensive experience includes significant roles such as Founder of Lets Rolo (acquired by LifeKey), and Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Influential (acquired by Publicis for $500M). His strategic direction and technical expertise have been pivotal in transforming ambitious ideas into successful enterprises. Piotr’s commitment to the tech community is evident through his active involvement with StartUp Vegas, Vegas Tech Ventures, and Granite Partners. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2017 Las Vegas Top Tech Exec Award and the 2018 Vegas INC 40 under 40. His contributions to the field have also earned him the 2020 Alumni of the Year honor from the UNLV college of engineering. Piotr holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Minor in Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His educational foundation and extensive industry experience equip him with a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and business strategy. Outside of his professional endeavors, Piotr is dedicated to fostering a vibrant tech community and mentoring emerging talents. He is an advocate for educational initiatives that nurture the next generation of tech innovators. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his wife Kristin and their two children, Emily and Jack.

Ahmad Iqbal leads Canva’s expansion across the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan, where he focuses on growing Canva’s presence across SMEs, education systems, and creative communities. Previously, he was Canva’s first Generative AI Product Manager, leading early AI initiatives and shaping the company’s approach to AI-powered creativity. Ahmad is particularly interested in how emerging technologies reshape communication, education, and economic opportunity, and how global platforms can be thoughtfully localized to empower new regions to participate fully in the digital economy.

Trevor Thompson is the Managing Director – Global, at Scale AI, an artificial intelligence company building AI infrastructure and applications for the most ambitious artificial intelligence projects in the world. He leads Scale’s international portfolio and plays a key role in accelerating the global adoption of AI applications across public and private domains. His work at Scale enables organizations—from advanced research labs to leading enterprises and government agencies—to harness AI responsibly and effectively. Before joining Scale, Trevor served as President of TerraClear, an applied AI startup revolutionizing agriculture through advanced computer vision and robotic automation. Under his leadership, TerraClear evolved its technology from an early-stage concept into an innovative industry leader. Prior to TerraClear, Trevor served as a Navy SEAL officer, leading teams at the highest levels of Special Operations for more than a decade, deploying across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the Horn of Africa. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated first in his class. He later attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship, earning a Master of Philosophy in Economic and Social History. Drawing on his wide-ranging background, Trevor operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and global industry to deliver responsible and transformative AI impact.

Fabrizio Del Maffeo is an Italian technology executive and entrepreneur, best known as the CEO and co-founder of Axelera AI, a Netherlands-based semiconductor company developing hardware and software platforms for AI inference. Founded in 2021 and headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Axelera AI has emerged as the Europe’s leading AI chip company, having secured in less than 5 years over $450 million in funding and growing to more than 250 employees across 18 countries with offices in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, UK, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Greece, USA.

An education maven and accomplished entrepreneur, Mayank Kumar is the Co-Founder of BorderPlus and upGrad, and a leading voice in the future of education, skilling, and global talent mobility. After a decade of successfully scaling upGrad into a global skilling major, he stepped into his second entrepreneurial venture as Co-Founder & CEO of BorderPlus – an innovative talent- mobility platform connecting blue-collar workers from emerging markets with global opportunities. Alongside this, he continues to spearhead strategy and growth at upGrad. Under his leadership, upGrad achieved several high-impact milestones, including ranking 43rd in the FT Asia-Pacific High-Growth Companies and securing multiple appearances in the GSV Global EdTech 150 as well as in TIME’s World’s Top EdTech Companies. Mayank holds a B.Tech from IIT Delhi and an MBA from ISB. He previously served as Vice President – Education at Bertelsmann India Investments, advising global clients on growth, investment, and market strategy during his tenures at The Parthenon Group and Tata Strategic Management Group. He has been associated with investment initiatives exceeding $1 Bn in the education sector. His work has earned him multiple recognitions, including Economic Times 40 Under 40 (2023), Hurun India Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs (2023), and FICCI Personality of the Year (2022)

Joseph Ziolkowski is Relm’s founder and CEO. With nearly 15 years of experience in risk management, Joseph saw a clear need for aligned insurance capacity to support companies breaking new ground. In 2019, he started Relm to provide the resilience these innovators need to thrive. Today, Relm partners with businesses in emerging industries, helping them manage their risk so they can stay focused on what they do best — push limits and drive change.

Husni serves as Managing Director, Middle East & Africa at Positron AI. With over 30 years of experience in technology and digital transformation, he has held leadership roles at Google, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, Maktoob.com, and Almentor.net.

Dr. Hakim Hacid is the Chief Researcher of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Science Research Center in Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a cutting-edge UAE-based scientific research center, leading the diverse efforts around LLM’s and Machine Learning, including Falcon LLM and Falcon Mamba.

Naorus Abdulghani is the Global Chief Technology Officer of Beyond ONE, where he drives the Group’s technology vision and development of innovative platforms that are reshaping how digital financial and telecom services reach millions of users in high-growth markets. His current focus is on building intelligent, scalable, and secure systems that make financial services more accessible, personalized, and resilient—while upholding the highest global standards of data protection and cybersecurity. A problem-solver at heart with over two decades in engineering leadership, Naorus has shaped technology strategies and large-scale system design across industries including healthcare, telecommunication, aerospace, fintech, AI/advertising, cloud computing, large- scale infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles. His expertise lies in simplifying complex challenges, architecting adaptive solutions, and delivering transformation at scale. Before joining Beyond ONE, Naorus served as Vice President of Engineering at Careem, where he oversaw key parts of the platform during its transformative years, including the landmark $3.1B acquisition by Uber. In this role, he not only led infrastructure engineering, software engineering, and quality but also spearheaded the growth of Careem’s technology capabilities from supporting a single ride-hailing vertical to powering 11 diverse business lines. These included people transportation, food delivery, fintech payments, and platform services. Naorus played a central role in architecting and scaling some of the world’s first region- specific ride-hailing and fintech products. He introduced resilient engineering practices and remote-first frameworks that allowed Careem to operate seamlessly across multiple countries, while also ensuring alignment with Uber’s global systems. His leadership was instrumental in enabling the technology foundations that supported Careem’s rapid expansion and transformation into a multi-vertical super app. Earlier in his career, Naorus held senior technical leadership positions in the U.S. with Waymo (Alphabet’s self-driving car project), Google, and X (the moonshot factory), pioneering software and safety architectures for autonomous vehicles. At Northrop Grumman, he progressed through engineering leadership roles in aerospace, where he led large-scale software systems development for mission-critical applications. He began his career as a software engineer at Qualcomm and The Scripps Research Institute, building his foundation in high performance and research-driven computing. Across these posts, Naorus has developed a reputation as the “go-to” leader for delivering results in large and complex projects. With experience scaling and leading engineering organizations of 100+ people, he brings both the technical depth and leadership acumen to align global product and engineering roadmaps with ambitious business expansion goals. Naorus holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Southern California (USC). Known for his mix of pragmatism and vision, Naorus is particularly passionate about building robust digital and financial infrastructure that adapts to diverse markets and drives greater inclusion. He is also committed to mentoring and empowering the next generation of engineers and leaders, fostering cultures where innovation and quality are never compromised.

Nora Dihel is an economist with over 20 years of global experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with extensive experience in trade, economic growth, and development policy. She specializes in trade facilitation, digital trade and AI-enabled policy innovation, as well as trade in services. Holding a Doctorate in International Economics from Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, Germany, Nora has worked at the OECD, the European Commission, and the World Bank, advising governments and businesses on how to adapt to evolving trade and regulatory landscapes in complex geopolitical contexts. Her recent work focuses on trade facilitation, geoeconomics, and the use of digital tools, including AI, to reduce trade costs and enhance resilience in global value chains. Having lived and worked on four continents, she brings an on-the-ground perspective to global trade policy, combining analytical depth with a strong focus on real-world impact.

Mr. Athmane Benzerroug was appointed as the Chief Strategy, Transformation and Sustainability Officer in April 2023. He is responsible for driving ADNOC Distribution’s growth strategy, transformation initiatives and sustainability agenda. He is also leading the Investor Relations function with his experience and insights. Previously, Mr. Benzerroug served as the Chief Investor Relations Officer from September 2018 to March 2023. Prior to joining ADNOC Distribution, Mr. Benzerroug served 10 years at Deutsche Bank as a Director focusing on industrials, Real Estate, and Retail. He has 20 years of experience in investment banking and equity capital markets leading major IPOs in Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey. Previously, Mr. Benzerroug was responsible for European

Ahshad Jussawalla is the CEO of Jio Haptik, where he drives the company’s vision for next-generation conversational and generative AI. Under his leadership, Haptik is focused on making enterprise-grade AI accessible and impactful for businesses of all sizes across the world. With over 20 years of diverse techno-functional and business leadership experience, Ahshad brings deep cross-industry expertise and a strong record of building and scaling high-impact products. His commitment to democratizing AI continues to propel Haptik’s growth story, expanding the reach of conversational AI for SMBs and enterprises alike, both in India and globally.

As a Digital Transformation Leader with over 25 years of experience in guiding businesses through complex, full life-cycle transformations, my expertise spans corporate strategy, business development, and process reengineering, all while leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive meaningful change. From planning AI-powered initiatives to executing large-scale digital strategies, I bring a hands-on approach to every project I lead. Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Digital Transformation at the Saudi Tourism Authority, where I’ve successfully designed and launched multiple digital products that have significantly enhanced visitor engagement and satisfaction. One of my proudest achievements was leading the development of the Tourism Authority platform, which placed us in the top 10 of the Digital Experience Maturity Index 2024. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing innovative ideas come to life! My international experience has given me a profound understanding of cross-cultural operations, enabling me to lead multi-million-dollar digital transformation projects. I align business goals with technology solutions to streamline processes and create competitive advantages. At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to efficiency, innovation, and value creation. I’ve implemented digital strategies that have improved operational efficiency by over 25%, enhanced user engagement by 12%, and significantly boosted revenue growth for multiple organizations. My efforts contributed to Saudi Arabia being recognized as the World’s Best Tourism Authority Website and the Middle East’s Best Travel App at the World Travel Tech Awards 2023. When I’m not working, you’ll find me exploring new places, soaking up the outdoors, or planning my next big adventure.

Himanshu Shrivastava is a veteran technology leader with over 25 years of experience in Technology and Digital Transformation. As Chief Technology Officer at Al-Futtaim, he spearheads the Group’s technology vision and roadmap. He is responsible for the development and delivery of enterprise-wide digital and data platforms, overseeing technology operations, and providing strategic technology guidance across all operating divisions, including Automotive, Retail, Healthcare, Insurance, and Real Estate. He also leads the Blue division, driving the Group’s latest digital business ventures. Previously, Himanshu has worked in various roles within the technology sector, including leadership roles in organisations such as Citibank (APAC leadership role based out of Singapore), American Express Bank, Bank of America, ABN AMRO Bank, Polaris Software Lab Ltd. He has been involved in the design, development, and deployment of products such as Internet Banking, Mobile Application, Open Banking APIs, Loan Origination, EBPP, Collections, Branch Application, Teller, Call Center Application, and Enterprise Service Bus (Middleware). As a recognised thought leader, Himanshu has delivered keynote presentations and participated in various industry-leading conferences across APAC and in the US. Himanshu holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Delhi University and an MBA in Information Technology and Marketing from the Institute of Management Technology in Ghaziabad.

Vinay Nadig is the Chief Executive Officer of SimplifyX™, leading the company’s AI-powered innovation platform that accelerates software development and enables intelligent enterprise automation. Vinay’s vision for SimplifyX™ centers on democratizing advanced AI capabilities and making them accessible to enterprises of all sizes. With a strong background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and enterprise software, Vinay combines technical depth with business acumen. His leadership has positioned SimplifyX™ at the forefront of the AI revolution, delivering practical solutions that generate immediate value while building toward more transformative capabilities. Vinay’s approach emphasizes the importance of making AI technology practical and results-oriented. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical capabilities, he ensures that SimplifyX™ solutions address real business challenges—from accelerating software development cycles to automating complex workflows to enhancing decision-making with intelligent insights. Prior to joining SimplifyX™, Vinay held leadership roles in technology companies focused on AI and automation. His experience includes building and scaling technology platforms, driving product innovation, and establishing go-to-market strategies that successfully bring emerging technologies to enterprise markets. Under his leadership, SimplifyX™ is poised to become a leader in AI-powered enterprise solutions.

Naima is a forward-thinking strategist and recognized AI thought leader with nearly two decades of experience across international banking, financial services, and sovereign investment. She specializes in future-proofing organizations, shaping high-impact strategies, and driving enterprise-wide transformation in an increasingly AI-enabled world. She has worked with global financial institutions and government-linked institutions, leading strategic planning, executing transformation agendas, and embedding data-driven decision-making across complex environments. Her focus today lies in architecting AI strategies and operationalizing them to unlock innovation, resilience, and long-term value creation. Naima’s career spans senior multiple roles at BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank Middle East, and FIS Global, where she built deep expertise in digital transformation, risk management, and business performance. Her background combines deep technical and financial training, shaped by graduate studies in Computer Science and Finance, and executive education in Artificial Intelligence from MIT and an ongoing Doctorate in AI at Paris Ecole des Ponts. She currently heads AI Strategy and Transformation at Mubadala.

Ersin Inankul is a distinguished Aviation Technology Leader with over 25 years of experience in digital and aviation sectors, including more than 20 years dedicated to airport systems and operations. In his current role as Senior Vice President of Technology at Dubai Airports, Ersin leads the strategic vision, design, and implementation of advanced technology initiatives across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), driving operational excellence, digital transformation, and revenue-generating innovations. Previously, Ersin served as Chief Digital and Commercial Officer at IGA Airport Holding, where he successfully formulated and executed a comprehensive digital strategy for Istanbul Airport, enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency through technology-enabled services. He also held the role of Global Principal and Head of Aviation Digital at Jacobs, overseeing the design, integration, and coordination of complex airport systems across high-profile international projects, including King Salman International Airport. Ersin’s expertise spans strategic planning, systems architecture, digital transformation, and program delivery, with a proven record of leading over 22 major airport projects globally. Under his leadership, technology solutions have consistently improved operational efficiency, passenger satisfaction, and commercial performance. He is a recognized thought leader in the industry, serving on prestigious boards such as the ACI World IT Standing Committee. At Dubai Airports, Ersin is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, AI, digital twins, hyper-automation, predictive analytics, and integrated passenger platforms to optimize airport operations, enhance the customer journey, and set new benchmarks for innovation in the aviation industry.

Cihangir Kocak is known for creating opportunities and building strong ecosystems that empower businesses to thrive. Cihangir has successfully guided numerous organizations through the challenges of digital transformation and strategic business development. He is appreciated for his ability to simplify complex concepts and inspire actionable insights. Cihangir is passionate about enabling business growth in the AI industry for HP, its customers, and partners, ranging from emerging startups to established enterprises.

Grzegorz (Greg) Ombach, PhD, is a senior deep-tech executive and board member recognised for scaling businesses and organisations through complex industrial transformations. He brings strategic clarity, operating judgment, and execution discipline to fast-moving, complex environments. He serves as Senior Vice President at Airbus, where he sets direction and governance for advanced technology and innovation strategy, and for venture and portfolio oversight across next-generation industrial platforms. His role spans strategic direction, portfolio-level decision making, and collaboration across global ecosystems. Alongside his executive responsibilities, he serves as Chair of AdvEn Industries and as a board member of Thread Innovations and Acubed, contributing to capital allocation, M&A oversight, and transformation at board level. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Qualcomm, Siemens, and Dräxlmaier Group, building and scaling global technology-driven businesses in complex industrial environments.

Amna Al Owais is Deputy Director of the DIFC Courts, providing high-level operational support and the oversight of a comprehensive suite of ancillary public court services. She spearheads special projects across the DIFC Courts’ operations, particularly in technology and innovation, harnessing digital transformation to enhance judicial services. These include major partnerships under the Courts of the Future initiative with the Dubai Future Foundation, such as the Court Tech Lab and the Courts of Space, as well as the Court of the Blockchain with the Dubai Digital Authority, and the creation of the specialised Digital Economy Court Division. Amna joined the DIFC Courts in 2006 serving in several roles before being appointed Deputy Registrar, Registrar (as the first Emirati), Chief Registrar and most recently Deputy Director. In addition to her role as Deputy Director, Amna serves as Chairperson of the DIFC Courts’ Users’ Committee, Chairperson of the DIFC Courts’ In-House Counsel Committee, and is a member of the Consulting Council for the University of Sharjah College of Law. In 2014, she was appointed to the Advisory Board of the International Bar Association’s Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee. In September 2019, she also joined the College of Law Advisory Board at the University of Dubai. Amna was selected in 2014 to join the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) in the Young Leaders category. Following its relaunch in 2018 under the Dubai Executive Office, she was chosen after an extensive selection process to join the first batch of the MBRCLD Impactful Leaders Programme, graduating successfully in December 2018. Amna also spearheaded the DIFC Courts’ Pro Bono Programme, launched in 2009—the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East. Her achievements have earned wide recognition: in 2011, she was named one of the International Bar Association’s Top 3 Young Lawyers worldwide; in 2018, Arabian Business listed her among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World and the Top 100 Influential People Shaping Dubai. Her awards and recognition include: • 2018 – Legal Services CEO of the Year, Arabian Business CEO Magazine Awards • 2019 – Top 30 Most Influential Women in the Arab World, Arabian Business • 2020 – Middle East’s 100 Power Businesswomen, Forbes Middle East • 2021 – CEO Women of Influence, Arabian Business • 2022 – 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders, Arabian Business; Legal Services Innovator of the Year, Lexis Nexis Women in Law Awards (with an honourable mention for the Professional Achievement Award) • 2023 – 50 Inspiring Women Leaders, Arabian Business; 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen, Forbes Middle East • 2024 – 50 Women Leaders, Arabian Business In 2019, Amna was invited to join the Dubai Future Councils, launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation. As a member of the Dubai Future Council on Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystems, she plays an active role in shaping Dubai’s strategic agenda. Also in 2019, she was selected by the University Leadership Council and Panthéon-Assas Université Paris II to join the first cohort of the International Business Law LLM, graduating summa cum laude in 2020—her second master’s degree. In January 2023, she was appointed to the Advisory Board of Panthéon-Assas Université Paris II, Dubai Campus. Amna has completed the Director Development Programme for Corporate Governance (four modules) with the prestigious Hawkamah Institute (2019) and, in 2020, was among the inaugural members of Pathway2020, a regional board career accelerator dedicated to preparing female board directors for leadership positions. In 2021, she was accepted into the Strategic Leadership and Public Governance course, offered by the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Singapore, in collaboration with international embassies. In 2023, she joined the Dubai Future Fellowship, an initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, designed to engage current and future economic leaders in shaping Dubai’s policies, regulations, and business practices, further cementing the city’s role as a global hub for innovation. Before joining the DIFC Courts, Amna practised law in the litigation department of Hadef & Partners (formerly Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates). She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Sharjah, a Master of Laws (LLM) with Commendation in International Commercial Law from Kingston University, London, and an LLM in International Business Law from Panthéon-Assas Université Paris II.

Sandip Kumar is a C-suite executive and strategic operator who has led system and enterprise-scale transformation, commercial growth, and operational turnarounds in public and private sectors internationally. He brings deep domain expertise with the commercial rigour and execution discipline that drives measurable value creation and realisation. Sandip has delivered some of the largest and most complex transformation programmes in the Middle East and Asia Pacific characterised by material financial outcomes, multi-stakeholder governance, and high-levels of operational complexity. He has a demonstrated track record of identifying asymmetric opportunities and executing with precision. Sandip has lead initiatives in AI and agentic, to large infrastructure, financial turnaround, to research and innovation labs, to growth accelerators, growth and commerical, management consulting, to operational management and clinical transformation, organisational restructuring and governance, supply chain, and human capital reform. What distinguishes Sandip is his ability to see around corners, act decisively under pressure and lead disruptive change. He has created, built and scaled contemporary organisational functions (eg, Internal Consulting Practice) from inception, embedding governance structures and innovation cultures that create durable competitive advantage. His work has led organisations to international recognition, accelerated growth trajectories, and market-leading positions. Sandip operates through a framework he calls the Braided System, considering People, Technology, and Governing Principles integrated so tightly they function as one. This approach reflects his conviction that lasting value creation requires alignment across human capital, operational infrastructure, and disciplined execution. Speed, in his experience, comes from clarity, and not chaos. And speed, requires understanding and capability. He brings to organisations (and not only health care) the strategic vision to assess portfolio opportunities, the operational credibility to partner with management teams, and the execution track record to drive post-investment value creation. He has worked across private and public sectors, navigated complex regulatory environments, and built trusted relationships with boards, clinicians, and commercial stakeholders alike. Sandip does his best work when stakes are highest; high risk, high complexity, high reward.

Ali Ismail Awad (Ph.D., SMIEEE, MACM) is an Associate Professor at the College of Information Technology, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, where he coordinated the master’s program in Information Security (2022–2025). He was an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K. (2023–2025), and a Visiting Researcher at the University of Plymouth, Plymouth, U.K. (2018–2023). Dr. Awad joined the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), Luleå, Sweden, in 2013. In 2017, he was promoted to Associate Professor (Docent) and served as the coordinator of the master’s program in Information Security (2017–2020). In recognition of his teaching excellence and pedagogical achievements, he was promoted to the rank of Recognized University Teacher at LTU in 2021. His research interests include cybersecurity, network security, Internet of Things (IoT) security, and image analysis with biometrics and medical imaging applications. He has edited or co-edited several books and authored or co-authored numerous journal articles and conference papers in these areas of interest. He was recognized as one of the top 2% of influential scientists worldwide (2021–2025). Dr. Awad serves on the Editorial Boards of Future Generation Computer Systems, Computers & Security, Internet of Things (Elsevier), Health Information Science and Systems, and Security, Privacy and Authentication (Frontiers). Dr. Awad is an IEEE Senior Member and an ACM Professional Member.

As Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Almosafer, Qais Ammori leads a multifaceted team responsible for driving the company’s digital strategy and technological innovation. With over 15 years of experience in the digital & tech industry, Qais oversees digital products, user experience & design, software engineering & architecture, DevOps, cloud operations, data and AI, ensuring that his teams have the resources and support necessary to deliver scalable and innovative products that enhance the customer experience across Almosafer’s brands. Qais’s commitment to leveraging state-of-the-art technologies is a cornerstone of his leadership. His passion for technical excellence has been instrumental in the success of major technology initiatives, including the development of platforms like ‘STC TV’ , which has become one of the leading digital platforms in the region. Qais’s role as a strategic influencer is evident in his focus on technology and the strategic direction of Almosafer’s digital product portfolio. He plays a critical role in defining and executing the company’s product roadmap, ensuring that each product aligns with the overall business objectives and meets customers’ evolving needs. Qais continues to drive Almosafer’s digital agenda, focusing on creating dynamic and collaborative work environments that foster innovation. His extensive expertise in solution design, software architecture, and cloud computing, combined with a proven track record in building and scaling technology teams, makes him a pivotal figure in Almosafer’s ongoing success. Moreover, Qais is deeply involved in crafting the company’s digital strategy, ensuring it remains agile and forward-thinking in a rapidly changing market. He is adept at anticipating industry trends and integrating cutting-edge technologies into Almosafer’s offerings, helping the company stay ahead of the competition. Qais’s dedication to achieving exceptional results and his ability to inspire and motivate his teams make him a valuable leader, committed to delivering measurable outcomes and driving Almosafer’s digital and technological vision forward. His strategic insight and hands-on approach to product development ensure that Almosafer continues to innovate and deliver market-leading solutions.

As the Data and Statistics Department Director at Emirates Health Services, Dr. Sara is passionately committed to leading transformative projects that align with the UAE’s vision of innovation and exceptional healthcare and strive to exceed expectations. Her leadership has been pivotal in successfully implementing cutting-edge initiatives, which have significantly advanced and set a benchmark for others. Dr. Sara’s pioneering efforts in integrating artificial intelligence in healthcare have resulted in groundbreaking AI models that notably enhance care services provided, with over 40 implemented projects ranging from carbon reduction within EHS facilities to creating a new standard and metric to measure surgical performance and many more in the plan.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, a Rhodes Scholar, is the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in India. He was appointed as the VC at the age of 34 in 2009 when the university was established. Professor Kumar conceived the idea of establishing India’s first ‘Global University’ and with the visionary leadership and philanthropic support of Mr. Naveen Jindal, established JGU in Sonipat, Haryana in 2009. JGU is one of only 20 universities in India and the only non-STEM university, which has been declared as an “Institution of Eminence” by the Government of India. Professor Kumar is an accomplished legal scholar and works in the fields of human rights and development, comparative constitutional law, terrorism and national security, corruption and governance, law and disaster management, legal education and higher education. He has nine books and over two hundred publications to his credit and has published widely in peer reviewed journals, law reviews and other internationally reputed publishing houses based in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, UK and the USA. Professor Kumar has academic qualifications from the University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Hong Kong, University of Delhi and University of Madras. He served as a faculty member at the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong, where he taught for many years. Professor Kumar was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford, UK, where he obtained his Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) degree; a Landon Gammon Fellowship at the Harvard Law School, USA, where he obtained his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree and a James Souverine Gallo Memorial Scholarship at Harvard University. He received the Doctor of Legal Science (S.J.D.) from the University of Hong Kong. He also obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Delhi, India; and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree from the Loyola College, University of Madras, India. Professor Kumar’s scholarly articles have been published in the American University International Law Review, Asia Pacific Law Review, Australian Journal of Asian Law, Columbia Journal of Asian Law, Corporate Governance International, Denver Journal of International Law & Policy, Georgetown Journal of International Law, Hong Kong Lawyer, Human Rights Quarterly, Indian Journal of Criminology, Indian Journal of International Law, Indian Journal of Public Administration, ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law, Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, Journal of the International Peace Research Institute, Journal of the National Human Rights Commission, Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review, Michigan State Journal of International Law, New England Journal of International and Comparative Law, Proceedings of the American Society of International Law, San Diego International Law Journal, Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law, Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law and UC Davis Law Review. He has authored, co-authored, edited and co-edited nine books: Legal Education and Legal Profession During and After COVID-19 (2022) (Co-Editor – Springer); Global Higher Education during and beyond COVID-19 (2022) (Co-Editor – Springer); The Future of Indian Universities (2017) (Editor-Oxford University Press); The Education President: Institution Building for Nation Building (2016) (Co-Author-Universal Law Publishing & LexisNexis); The President of India and the Governance of Higher Education Institutions (2016) (Co-Author-Universal Law Publishing & LexisNexis); Corruption and Human Rights in India: Comparative Perspectives on Transparency and Good Governance (2011) (Author-Oxford University Press); Human Rights and Development: Law, Policy and Governance (2006) (Co-Editor-LexisNexis); Tsunami and Disaster Management: Law and Governance (2006) (Co-Editor-Sweet & Maxwell Thomson); Human Rights, Justice and Constitutional Empowerment (2007) (Co-Editor-Oxford University Press). Professor Kumar has contributed articles in newspapers and magazines published from Hong Kong, India and the UK, which include, South China Morning Post, The Standard, Frontline, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Financial Express, The Tribune, The Pioneer, Seminar, Global-is-Asian, The Economic Times, The Times of India, The Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Deccan Chronicle, Economic & Political Weekly and Open Democracy. He has been interviewed on issues relating to law and justice, human rights and governance, and education by the media in Hong Kong, Japan and India, including radio and television: India Today TV, CNN IBN, News Now, Lok Sabha TV, Rajya Sabha TV, Star News, ATV, All India Radio, RTHK and NHK. Professor Kumar has held consultancy assignments in the field of human rights and governance. He has been a Consultant to the United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Geneva; and the International Council for Human Rights Policy (ICHRP), Geneva. He has advised the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in Sri Lanka and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India on issues relating to corruption and good governance. Professor Kumar is an Attorney at Law and is admitted to the Bar Council of Delhi, India and the Bar of the State of New York, USA. Professor Kumar also serves as the Founding Dean of Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Director of the International Institute for Higher Education Research & Capacity Building (IIHEd) and President of the Jindal India Institute (JII).

Fernando Fanton is Chief Product and Technology Officer at Property Finder, driving product and technology strategy across the MENA region. He has led product and tech at four major scaleups, Mendeley, Just Eat, Rappi, and Monzo, where he built high-velocity teams and helped reshape entire industries. A former Microsoft engineer, Fernando

Priyanka Chopra is the CEO and Managing Partner at IIMA Ventures and a Venture Partner at the Bharat Innovation Fund. She brings over 12 years of experience in investing, advising, and supporting early- stage startups, and has served on the Venture Capital Sector Council of the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA). Priyanka also serves on the boards of leading publicly listed companies in the precision engineering and specialty chemicals sectors, where she contributes her expertise in innovation, strategy, and governance. Prior to her role in venture capital, Priyanka spent over a decade in the high-tech industry in the United States, holding engineering, product design, and strategy roles at Sun Microsystems and IBM. She later transitioned into the social impact sector with Piramal Sarvajal, leveraging technology and community engagement to expand access to clean drinking water across underserved regions in India. She holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Proust Legal is an independent Brussels-based law firm dedicated to advising multinational corporations on the full spectrum of European digital regulation. Positioned at the nexus of business and technology, the firm combines deep legal expertise with strategic insight to help organizations navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape and confidently develop their business across the European Union. Founded by Olivier Proust, the firm specializes in EU data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital regulation and technology law. With more than 20 years of experience, Olivier advises leading multinational corporations across Europe, the United States and other global markets on some of the most challenging legal and regulatory issues affecting the digital economy. Based in Brussels, at the heart of the European Union’s legislative and regulatory institutions, Olivier provides clients with first-hand insight into the development and implementation of EU digital laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the AI Act, the Data Act, the Digital Services Act (DSA), the NIS2 Directive and other landmark European legislation shaping the global digital economy. Before founding Proust Legal, Olivier worked in several leading international law firms, where he built a reputation as one of Europe’s foremost practitioners in digital regulation and technology law. He is admitted to both the Brussels and Paris Bars and is consistently recognized by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading lawyer in data protection, cybersecurity and technology law. In addition to his legal qualifications, Olivier holds an Executive Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where he also lectures on the EU AI Act and the legal implications of artificial intelligence for businesses. Proust Legal’s philosophy is founded on the belief that outstanding legal advice must combine technical excellence with commercial judgment. The firm works as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives, data protection officers and legal & compliance departments, helping clients transform regulatory complexity into a competitive advantage. By delivering pragmatic, business-oriented advice tailored to the realities of global organizations, Proust Legal enables clients not only to comply with Europe’s digital regulatory framework, but also to innovate, scale and grow with confidence in one of the world’s most highly regulated markets. Clients value Olivier for combining technical excellence with commercially pragmatic advice, enabling legal compliance to support, rather than hinder, business objectives.

Ben Nelson is Founder and CEO of Minerva Project, Founder of Minerva University, and a visionary with a passion to reinvent higher education. Nelson started Minerva in 2011 with the goal of nurturing critical wisdom for the sake of the world through a systematic and evidence-based approach to learning. Over the past decade, Nelson has built Minerva University into the most selective, most effective, and most innovative university in the world (named #1 for four consecutive years according to WURI rankings). Minerva Project was created to share Minerva’s unique approach with other like-minded institutions and has since accelerated the creation of groundbreaking new programs, new colleges, and entirely new universities worldwide.

Dr. Alireza Haghighi is a pioneering leader transforming global health through groundbreaking advancements in life science and AI. He is internationally recognized for his leadership in projects aimed at improving health and well-being worldwide. Dr. Haghighi regularly advises government leaders and industry executives on innovation, strategies, and investment initiatives. He is the co-founder of multiple healthcare and technology startups that leverage AI, digital health and genomics to transform medicine and global health systems. Dr. Haghighi is also the Director and Principal Investigator of the Bahrain National Genome Program and has contributed to the design, development, and leadership of national projects in other countries. He is also the Founding President of the Advancement Initiative for Medicine and Science (AIMS), a global foundation dedicated to advancing medical science and healthcare worldwide, which has improved the health of people across the globe. Dr. Haghighi has received numerous prestigious awards and prizes, including the Global Health Pioneer Award for his innovative strategies and initiatives to enhance the quality of life of people around the world and the International Genetic Disorders Prevention Award. Dr. Haghighi is an American board-certified geneticist, and a clinician-scientist at Mass General Brigham. He completed his graduate