World Summit AI MENA 2024

Major General Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi has held the position of Director of the General Department of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai Police General Headquarters since March 2014. He has overseen the implementation of several key strategic projects in the UAE, including the introduction of smart police stations, electronic passports, and smart electronic gates. Notably, under his leadership, Dubai Police received recognition for their successful implementation of the Dubai Paperless Strategy in 2021 and won the award for the best government service through smartphones both locally and globally for 6 consecutive years. He has also received numerous accolades throughout his career,
including the 2021 Best Executive Director award for government departments.

Joseph Bradley is the visionary CEO behind TONOMUS, the first subsidiary company of NEOM, which has evolved from its technology and digital sector to lead the creation of the world’s first cognitive community. Joseph and his team’s strategic foresight are delivering a full-scale, end-to-end cognitive technology ecosystem for NEOM. By harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and robotics, they are bringing cognitive cities to life.

Prior to NEOM, Joseph spent 15 years at Cisco in various senior leadership roles, the most recent of which was Global Vice President IoT, Blockchain, AI and Incubation Businesses. The California native graduated with a B.A. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley.

Joseph’s career has been defined by remarkable success. With a lifelong passion for data-driven systems that enable sustainable synergy between people and technology, Joseph has made it his life’s mission to enable companies in maximizing these dynamic interactions. 

Kfir L Godrich, Managing Director, is Chief Innovation Officer for BlackRock. He is responsible for driving firm’s innovation agenda, the connection with the broad financial and technology ecosystems, including partnerships and ventures that accelerate growth. He is continuously exploring new and emerging technologies under an applied innovation strategy, to practically implement them at BlackRock. In addition, he is responsible for Information Security, Aladdin Data and BlackRock’s AI Labs. He also serves as a member of BlackRock’s Global Operating Committee.

Mr. Godrich service with the firm dates to 2014 as Global Head of Technology for BlackRock. Prior to that, Kfir served as CTO for Hewlett Packard Co. (HP) Technology Services, where he was responsible for road-mapping technology for company’s Consulting and Support business units, as well as Advisory Board for HP Labs. His international experience lays in complex systems. Over the years Kfir’s work spanned chronologically from C4ISR to Data Centers, Alternative Energy, Fintech, Cyber, Data and Analytics and ML/AI. He received National Security awards, has been recognized as AI Pioneer at the United Nations, and has a rich portfolio of technology IP. Kfir began his career in the IAF after completing Electrical and Computer Engineering studies at Ben Gurion University.

Dr. Ott Velsberg is a renowned Estonian IT specialist and government official, known for his expertise in data governance and data science. As the current Chief Data Officer (CDO) of Estonia, he is responsible for driving the country’s data policy and initiatives related to the use of data in the public sector. Velsberg has a wealth of experience in coordinating data governance and data science, with a focus on domains such as artificial intelligence, open data, citizen-centric data governance, data management, and digital transformation. Under his leadership, Estonia has become a global leader in data governance, open data, and artificial intelligence. With his passion for technology and data, he is making significant contributions to Estonia’s digital transformation and shaping the country’s future in data governance. 

Mostafa Zafer is the Vice President, IBM Data, AI and Automation, Middle East and Africa. In his role, Mostafa is responsible for strategy, sales, revenue and client advocacy for IBM’s hybrid cloud, data, and AI solutions – a high growth business that is one of the cornerstones of IBM’s growth strategy. Mostafa has over 20 years of experience in sales and strategy leadership in IBM where he held several leadership positions in multiple countries. Prior to his current role, he was the Data & AI Leader for MEA, responsible for owning, defining and executing the Data and AI strategy in the region. Some of his other key roles include leading IBM’s software business for Middle East and Pakistan, leading software sales in Saudi, and acting as global software sales strategy leader in New York. Mostafa also worked on the growth strategy for the Middle East and later on for Africa, as the growth strategy leader for the region.Mostafa is a firm believer in the importance of intersecting strategy, sales leadership and developing solid client partnerships and to deliver solutions that make a difference for IBM’s clients and ecosystem in the region.

Dame Wendy Hall, DBE, FRS, FREng is Regius Professor of Computer Science, Associate Vice President (International Engagement) and is Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton. She became a Dame Commander of the British Empire in the 2009 UK New Year’s Honours list and is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the ACM. Dame Wendy was co-Chair of the UK government’s AI Review, which was published in October 2017 and a member of the AI Council. She is currently the co-Chair of the ACM Publications Board and Editor-in-Chief of Royal Society Open Science. She is an advisor to the UK government and many other governments and companies around the world and in 2023 was appointed to the United Nations high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence. Her latest book, Four Internets, co-written with Kieron O’Hara, was published by OUP in 2021.

www.damewendydbe.com