Who’s shaping the future of AI?

I bring over 25 years of executive experience leading AI governance, risk management, and responsible AI strategies across regulated industries. As Chief AI Officer, CEO of I3Mation, and AI Governance Executive at Halliburton, I focus on developing practical, enterprise-ready AI strategies and governance frameworks that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli is the Head of Global and Emerging Risks and the Founder and Director of the Polymath Initiative at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) in Geneva, Switzerland. He is also the co-chair of the Partnership for Peace Consortium (PfPC) Emerging Security Challenges Working Group and the co-curator of the International Security Map of the Strategic Intelligence Platform of the World Economic Forum. He is also a member of the committees for ethical research at the University of Geneva and at the European Research Council as well as of the advisory board of Tech4Trust, the first Swiss startup acceleration program in the field of digital trust and cybersecurity. He is also member the advisory board on digitalization of the Chief of the Swiss Armed Force. He also represents the GCSP at the Governmental Group of Expert on Lethal Autonomous Weapons at the United Nations. Prior to these appointments, Dr. Rickli was an assistant professor at the Department of Defence Studies of King’s College London and at the Institute for International and Civil Security at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. In 2020, he was nominated as one of the 100 most influential French-speaking Swiss by the Swiss newspaper Le Temps. Dr. Rickli received his PhD in International Relations from Oxford University. His latest book published by Georgetown University is entitled Surrogate Warfare: The Transformation of War in the Twenty-first Century

Deemah AlYahya is a tech diplomat and digital economy leader, serving as Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) since its founding in 2021. She spearheads global cooperation among governments, businesses, and civil society to advance inclusive and sustainable digital economies, with a focus on bridging divides and empowering women and youth.

AlYahya is a Commissioner with the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and an Edison Alliance champion for digital inclusion. A lifelong advocate for women in technology, she founded Women Spark, a non-profit supporting developers, founders, and investors. She also serves on boards including the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, the Saudi National Bank, the E-commerce Council, and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones.

Her career spans pioneering roles at Samba, Tadawul, and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she became the first woman to lead e-services. At Microsoft, she was the first Saudi woman in a leadership role, overseeing developer ecosystems and digital innovation across multiple regions. Later, as CEO of the National Digital Transformation Unit, she led Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation strategy and national initiatives such as Saudi Codes, training over 1.2 million people.

AlYahya holds a BA in Computer Science from King Saud University and completed executive programs at INSEAD and Harvard Business School.

Tom Gamali is a recognised technology executive, cybersecurity leader, and board-level advisor with more than 25 years of experience driving security strategy, operational resilience, and digital transformation across Europe, the Middle East, and global markets. He currently serves as Chief Technology Officer & Strategic Advisor – MEA TRC, where he works with senior executives and industry ecosystems to advance cybersecurity, observability, AI adoption, and cloud-driven innovation.Tom has held major leadership roles including Group CISO, Managing Director of Corporate Technology, Group Chief Information Security Officer, and Head of Non-Financial Risk for leading banks, global conglomerates, and multinational technology organisations. He has overseen security and technology operations across 40+ countries and advised board risk committees on governance, regulatory exposure, and enterprise resilience. He also previously served on the (ISC)² European Advisory Council. Tom holds executive qualifications from the MIT Sloan School of Management and completed the ICAO AVSEC Professional Management Programme at Concordia University. He also holds an MSc (Distinction) from Kingston University and a BEng (Hons) from the University of Sussex. His certifications include CISSP, Certified Operational Risk Manager, IRM Digital Risk Management, and the NACD Certificate in Cyber-Risk Oversight.

Dr Muna Al-Marzouqi is the Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Qatar University since summer 2024. She earned her LL.B. in Law with Order of Excellence from Qatar University. She holds an LL.M. (Master’s degree) from University of California Berkeley in the USA and an S.J.D. (Doctorate degree) from Tulane University in USA in the field of maritime law. She graduated from Qatar Leadership Center in 2018. From Fall 2018 until her appointment as Associate Vice President for Academic Planning & Quality Assurance, she was the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies at the College of Law. She was the acting Dean of the College of Law in addition to her AVP role from Feb-May 2022. She teaches maritime law and commercial law. She is also a licensed lawyer (Cassation level before the Supreme Judicial Council Courts) in the State of Qatar. Additionally, she is a registered arbitrator in Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration. She is also a Judge at Qatar International Court since 2020. Dr Muna has several publications. She co-authored the Qatari maritime law book, which is the first book in Qatar explaining maritime law. She presented several papers at various scientific national and international events. Moreover, she contributed to supervising master’s students at the College of Law and Hamad Bin Khalifa University. She also provided her legal opinion to several public entities in the State of Qatar. She is a member of the National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation (NCQAA), a member of the Qatar Lawyers Association, and a member of Qatar Experts and Arbitrators Association.

She received the Education Excellence Award (Secondary School category) in 2006. She has been awarded the Excellence Medal by Qatar University in 2011 and Excellence in Teaching Award by Qatar University College of Law in 2013. In 2017, she was granted the Georgetown University Fellowship Award. She received the Education Excellence Award (doctorate degree category) in 2018 from HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. In the same year, she was awarded the Excellence in Research Award from Qatar University College of Law.

Lars is Chief Digital & AI Officer at QIC Group. In this role he focuses on building and supporting new digital Ventures through QIC Digital Venture Partners (DVP) while transforming the way QIC operates digitally powered by AI. He also manages strategic partnerships and has brought 5 new Insurance category products to the MENA region together with the QIC team.

As President and CEO, Lisa Rice directs the National Fair Housing Alliance’s (NFHA) mission to eliminate all forms of housing discrimination and ensure equitable housing opportunities for all people and communities. NFHA leads the fair housing movement and is the trade association for over 170 member organizations throughout the country. Ms. Rice is a published author contributing to several books and journals addressing a range of fair housing issues including – The Fight for Fair Housing: Causes, Consequences, and Future Implications of the 1968 Federal Fair Housing Act;Designed for the Future: 80 Practical Ideas for a Sustainable World;Discriminatory Effects of Credit Scoring on Communities of Color;and From Foreclosure to Fair Lending: Advocacy, Organizing, Occupancy, and the Pursuit of Equitable Credit. She is one of the nation’s leading experts on fair housing, lending, and Responsible AI policies having played major roles in crafting sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, establishing the Office of Fair Lending within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and implementing other legislative and policy initiatives. She also helped lead the investigation and resolution of precedent-setting fair housing and lending cases securing remedies for millions of people as well as the elimination of systemic discriminatory practices. Ms. Rice serves on the Board of Directors of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Center for Responsible Lending, and FinRegLab as well as various Advisory Councils. She has received numerous awards including the National Housing Conference’s Housing Visionary Award and was selected as one of TIME Magazine’s 2024 ‘Closers.’

Celina Lee is the CEO and co-founder of Zindi, the largest professional network hosting an ecosystem of over 75,000 data and AI practitioners across 190 countries, building their skills while solving some of the world’s most pressing problems using AI. Celina is a prominent speaker on AI at global events. She has taken the stage at major conferences such as the GAIN Summit in Saudi Arabia, GITEX Global in Dubai, GITEX Africa in Morocco, the UN LDC5 conference in Doha, and the UN High-Level Forum on Global Geospatial Information Management, where she shared her vision of contributing to shaping a more inclusive AI ecosystem that works for everyone.

Celina has led several key initiatives at Zindi, including a high-level partnership with Microsoft, which received widespread media attention for its focus on empowering African AI talent. Zindi was the official platform for the practical round of the first International AI Olympiads which was hosted by Saudi Arabia. Under Celina’s leadership, Zindi has enabled leading global and African organizations drive their AI innovations and capabilities, including Google, AWS, Microsoft, NVIDIA, ARM, Databricks, the Government of Togo, the Saudi Data & AI Authority, the Defense Science and Technology Agency of Singapore, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Rand Merchant Bank, Standard Bank, and others.

She has also been a guest on Stephen Ibaraki’s podcast, a platform known for engaging AI leaders, where she discussed leadership, AI’s future, and Zindi’s transformative role in the ecosystem.

An advocate for diversity in AI, Celina works to ensure that AI development is inclusive globally. She serves on the Expert Advisory Council of DataDotOrg. She is a founding member of the South African AI Association. Celina has also been recognized on the H2O AI 100 Leader List for her leadership in AI.

Celina holds a Bachelors of Science in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science and a Masters degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.

Nasreddine Gouami is the Regional Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google. With over two decades of experience merging technology policy with economic diplomacy, Nasr works at the forefront of the AI revolution, advising government stakeholders on building resilient, AI-ready ecosystems. His work focuses on harmonizing regulation, fostering public-private partnerships, and unlocking economic opportunity through technology. He holds degrees in Commerce and Policy and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.

Denise Garcia is a full Professor at Northeastern University in Boston and a founding faculty member of its Experiential Robotics Institute. Garcia is appointed to the Global Commission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military. Before joining Northeastern, she worked for three years at the World Peace Foundation at the Belfer Center for Science at Harvard University. She is formerly a member of the International Panel for the Regulation of Autonomous Weapons (2017-2022), of the Research Board of the Toda Peace Institute (Tokyo, 2020-2023), and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems (Autonomous Weapons Group). She is currently a member of the Institute for Economics and Peace (Sydney) and an advisor to the Global Challenges Foundation (Stockholm). She was a funded Nobel Peace Institute Fellow in Oslo in 2017. Garcia collaborates closely with projects in her home country, Brazil. A multiple teaching award-winner, her recent publications appeared in the American Academy for Arts and Sciences (Science and Diplomacy Journal), Nature, Foreign Affairs, International Relations, and other top journals. Her latest book is The AI Military Race: Common Good Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Oxford University Press, 2024)

Cobus Greyling is the Chief Evangelist at Kore.ai, where he explores the cutting edge of the intersection of language and AI. A passionate researcher and writer, he delves into the evolving landscape of conversational intelligence. Learn more at www.cobusgreyling.com.

Dr. Mohamed Shaaban is an AI product leader at Scale AI, where he helps organizations safely and effectively adopt artificial intelligence. His previous research interests span oversight for autonomous systems—monitoring, intervention, and evaluation—as well as custom healthcare AI systems. Prior to scale he served as an AI lead at Palantir, where he worked with government and commercial partners to deliver AI-in-the-loop operational solutions. Before entering the tech industry, Mohamed was an astrophysicist and served as mission lead on SuperBIT, NASA/CSA’s flagship suborbital telescope designed to study dark matter. With experience that ranges from space instrumentation to enterprise AI, he is known for bridging deep R&D and field deployment.

Ms. Leah N. C. Perry is a distinguished legal professional with over 20 years of experience in artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, cybersecurity, technology regulation, and international trade law. Her career bridges public service, private industry leadership, and academia—making her a leading authority in AI governance, privacy, information security, and product development legal matters. In her current capacity as Vice President of Legal – Chief Privacy Officer, and Global Head of Public Policy & AI Governance at Box, Inc., Ms. Perry oversees four global critical legal and compliance functions for the company, which proudly serves over 70% of Fortune 500 companies, along with numerous foreign and domestic government entities worldwide. Her responsibilities cover the full range of privacy and information security laws, and related product review matters thereby ensuring the company complies with changing global regulations. In addition, she successfully manages foreign and domestic public policy issues, and incident response, as well as supporting government procurement and multimillion dollar mergers and acquisitions initiatives. Ms. Perry’s most notable achievement includes the creation, implementation, and management of Box’s comprehensive AI Governance Program. This initiative directly supported the successful product launch of Box AI, demonstrating her ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable business strategies. She regularly briefs the Board of Directors on AI governance, public policy, regulatory and privacy matters—highlighting her strategic importance within the organization’s leadership structure. In addition, Ms. Perry successfully led the development and launch of several of Box’s product offerings, such as Box Shield, Box Sign, AI Agents, and Metadata Extraction initiatives, amongst others. She also supported the business and engineering team in its shift to GCP.

Amjad has led successful customer experience transformations in both public and private sectors over the past 6 years in the Gulf region. With 23 years of regional experience and from the generation that witnessed the evolution of social media and data, Amjad mastered the art of empowering organizations to help them unlock customer opportunities, enhance their market presence and create uniqueness allowing them to advance ahead of the market cycle.

Brandon Andrews is a former United States Senate staffer turned entrepreneur + investor. He is co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gauge;an AI-driven market research platform. He is also CEO of The Inexorable. He engages with thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners each year doing casting for Shark Tank and other business shows on TV. He is a speaker for the State Department and host for global business events like The Next Web, Web Summit, and the World AI Conference. Brandon also hosts the Impact with AI podcast engaging global entrepreneurs using AI to support the United Nations SDGs. He brings a unique perspective at the intersection of policy, business, and innovation. Visit www.brandonandrews.me to learn more.

Justin Floyd is an award-winning entrepreneur with a 40-year track record of founding and investing in pioneering technology companies solving the world’s biggest economic and social challenges. He founded RedCloud to address fundamental issues with the global supply of consumer goods that prevent brands, distributors and retailers in fast-growth economies from trading efficiently, transparently and cost effectively with one another. Justin’s previous experience includes founding and running Vecta, one of EMEA’s fastest-growing cloud intelligence companies (acquired by Kerridge), and cofounding CCL, one of the first transatlantic fintech companies, which he scaled to $2bn trading volume in just two years. He is also an investor in Cambridge Medical Robotics (valued at £3bn), and Omnisense, an innovative real-time locating system. Justin is twice a regional Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, four times a Red Herring 100 winner, a Finalist Codie award winner, and a Fast Track 100 finalist

Tahir is a globally recognised authority in Data Privacy and AI Governance, trusted by Fortune 500 firms, regulatory bodies, and executive boards for his precision, strategic insight, and regulatory fluency. With over 16 years of leadership across sectors – including banking, healthcare, petrochemicals, telecommunications, travel, government, and defense – he has successfully designed and delivered enterprise-wide privacy and ethical AI programs at scale.

Professor Feras Alali is the director of research and graduate studies at Qatar University Health sector. He holds a Bsc in Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology – Jordan and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, Indiana. He is a distinguished academic leader and scholar whose career has been defined by advancing excellence in pharmacy education, research, and healthcare innovation. He has held senior leadership roles (dean, director, associate vice president) at Qatar University and internationally, where he has spearheaded transformative initiatives that strengthened research capacity, elevated graduate programs, and positioned institutions on the global academic stage. A recognized authority in drug discovery and development, Professor Alali has made significant contributions to natural product–based therapeutics and is widely published and highly cited in his field. His leadership has resulted in the establishment of pioneering research units and centers, enhanced international rankings, and the cultivation of a vibrant environment for interdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout his career, Professor Alali has demonstrated a consistent commitment to quality, innovation, and impact—mentoring future scientists, shaping policy, and promoting excellence in education and research. His influence extends globally, earning him recognition among the world’s top cited scientists and prestigious awards for scientific achievement and academic leadership.

Dr. Saif Al-Kuwari received a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers and Networks from the University of Essex (UK) in 2006 and two PhDs from the University of Bath and Royal Holloway, University of London (UK) in Computer Science, both in 2011. He is currently an Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and the director of the Qatar Center for Quantum Computing (QC2). His current research interests include quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum machine learning. He is a Fellow of IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology), a Fellow of BCS (British Computer Society), a Senior Member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and a Senior Member of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery).

Dr. June Park is a South Korean political economist focusing on digital trade, finance and emerging technologies, based in Doha, Qatar. She is currently a Visiting Scholar working on the geoeconomics of technology at the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and advises the AI Hub under the Qatar Foundation on sovereign AI. She is concurrently Nonresident Fellow of the Governance & Development Program at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council; formerly Brookings Doha Center) in Qatar, where she previously conducted the project ‘South Korea-GCC Relations: Energy, Technology, Security’ (2023-2024) and ‘Beyond Generative AI: Envisioning AI Applications for Future Technologies in the GCC’ (2025-2026) as a Visiting Fellow.

As Chief Commercial officer, Dr. Fadi Nasser is responsible for the management of all of MEEZA’s commercial activities including sales, solutions advisory , marketing and communications, strategic alliances, bid management, and commercial strategy.

Prior to joining MEEZA, Fadi founded the new ICT business unit at Omantel part of the Omantel-Zain group of companies, MENA region’s 3rd largest telco by revenue, serving as General Manager and Senior advisor to CEO. There, he delivered one of the region’s most successful telecom digital transformations, leading the ICT group, joining the boards of Joint Ventures and aligning all subsidiaries to bring clients an unprecedented integrated value. The group introduced services ranging from cloud computing to big data, IOT platforms to Blockchain, Big Data analytics and smart contact centres. Prior to moving to Oman, Fadi served as Chief Alliances Officer at MEEZA.

Fadi has an Executive MBA from HEC Paris and recently completed his Doctorate in Nation-wide Digital Transformation frameworks across the GCC.

Sarah is a Senior Application Security Specialist with a proven ability to transform security into a strategic enabler of digital transformation. She leads security initiatives across Saudi Arabia’s financial sector,

Her expertise spans AI Security, Cloud Security, DevSecOps, and Cybersecurity Architecture, with a strong focus on proactive security cultures and responsible AI adoption. Sarah is committed to safeguarding the integrity of financial services while empowering secure digital growth through forward-looking strategies and hands-on technical leadership.

Sarah AlDakhil is a dedicated leader in AppSec, specializing in optimizing vulnerability management and advising organizations on security best practices. She leverages AI-driven tools and analytics to continuously monitor, assess, and enhance security measures ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical financial services. By championing a proactive, AI-augmented security culture, Sarah enables the safe and resilient operation of applications in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Hugo leads Roland Berger’s strategy, advisory, and delivery efforts across Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation across the Middle East region, helping governments, regulated industries, and financial institutions turn AI ambition into measurable outcomes — from national AI strategies and data governance frameworks to enterprise-wide AI transformation and operating models. With more than 18 years of experience in digital strategy and implementation, Hugo oversees Roland Berger’s AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) and AI Tech Lab in the Middle East, where we design, prototype, and deploy AI solutions that enhance productivity, resilience, and innovation at scale.

El Moustapha Izidbih is a Senior Advisor at Roland Berger, where he leads Data, AI, and digital transformation initiatives for governments and major enterprises. Known for bridging strategic advisory with deep AI and digital expertise, he supports ministers, CEOs, and senior executives in shaping national AI agendas, modernizing public services, and building future-ready digital capabilities.
Before joining Roland Berger, he founded Ellogy.ai, a generative AI venture focused on accelerating software innovation and also served as CEO of Eltechnology AI Consulting.

A seasoned leader in AI and Analytics, heading the SAS practice for the Middle East and Africa. With 20+ years of consulting experience in Government, Banking, Telecommunications, and Health, he has published impactful AI work with a UAE Healthcare Federal entity and is currently working on business applications of Quantum Machine Learning and Optimization.

Abir is Accenture’s Data and AI Lead in the Middle East with over 15 years of experience in designing and delivering data and AI transformations, whether at national, sector, or organization level to drive growth, productivity, and innovation.

Abir has led several multi-year programs including National Data and AI Governance, AI Centers of Excellence establishment, Smart Cities Development, and Proactive AI-Native Government working with senior executives and decision makers in collaboration with wider ecosystems. Abir also worked closely with Chief Data & AI Officers in shaping and delivering on their mandate and reporting on value.

Throughout her experience, she has advised and shaped national data and AI regulatory frameworks and policies across the Middle East regarding data privacy, classification, sharing, monetization, and responsible AI.

John Mankarios is a Vice President of Information Technology at QInvest, a leading private investment bank based in Qatar. He has over 18 years of solid experience in information technology, with expertise in cloud and digital transformation strategy and technology innovation. 

He is responsible for designing and implementing innovative solutions and best practices to enhance the efficiency, quality, and security of the company’s processes and systems.

Before joining QInvest, John served as Senior System Engineer at Link Datacenter for seven years, where he focused on designing and implementing cloud solutions. 

John holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Cairo University (2006) and a master’s degree in business management from Swiss Business School (2019).

In 2023, John was honored with the prestigious “The World CIO 200 – Master” award by Global CIO Forum. 

The following year, he received the same award for the second consecutive year and was also recognized with Qatar CSO 30 awards presented by IDC and Foundry, recognizing his excellence and innovation in IT leadership.

And in 2025, John was awarded CISO of the year by Cyber-X summit, and CYSEC best Cyber security practice award. 

Dr. Gul, a preeminent physician and healthcare executive, carries a rich blend of clinical and managerial
expertise to his role as Chief Executive Officer of The View Hospital. Acknowledged by Forbes as one of
the Top 50 Healthcare Leaders, he is a well-respected thought leader, continually championing progress
and innovation within the healthcare sector.
Upon earning his medical degree, Dr. Gul pursued management courses at renowned institutions such as
Cornell University and Harvard Business School. His career began at the patient’s bedside, which provided
him with invaluable insights into patient care. Driven by his passion for healthcare technology and
operational efficiency, he assumed diverse and demanding healthcare project management roles. These
included building rural clinic chains for petroleum pipeline projects to commissioning the first civilian
helicopter ambulance service in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Gul’s commitment to enhancing both patient and caregiver experiences saw him rise to leadership
positions at esteemed companies such as Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) and Fakeeh Care. He was instrumental
in the management of rehabilitation centers, development of outpatient clinic projects, and significantly
contributed to international healthcare investments and social initiatives.
His leadership shone when he was entrusted with the commissioning and operation of Dubai’s first

teaching hospital, Fakeeh University Hospital, the Middle East’s first environmentally friendly, LEED-
certified university hospital. He led the hospital from its construction phase, through its commissioning,

and into a successful operational phase. Under Dr. Gul’s visionary guidance, the hospital garnered
numerous regional firsts and prestigious awards.
As CEO of The View Hospital, he brings extensive operational knowledge and empathetic leadership style.
His leadership philosophy is centered around a people-centric approach, recognising healthcare as
fundamentally a people business. His dedication extends to enriching the employee experience, fostering
a satisfying work environment, and most importantly, enhancing patient satisfaction.
Dr. Gul is also a passionate advocate for CSR, sustainability, and ESG awareness. He founded CSR Middle
East in 2005, an organization that has garnered numerous international accolades. Through speeches,
podcasts, and thought leadership, he encourages the healthcare industry to invest responsibly in the
environment, actively supporting King Charles III’s Terra Carta initiative.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Gul’s contributions to healthcare have been marked by a relentless
pursuit of operational excellence, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to patient and staff
satisfaction. As he leads The View Hospital into its next chapter, he remains committed to providing
world-class healthcare services, prioritizing quality, value, and satisfaction for both patients and
caregivers.

Umair is a builder and investor focused on technology that drives real-world impact. As Founder
and CEO of tkxel, he helps enterprises, SMBs, and startups across North America and MENA
use AI, software innovation, and digital strategy to scale, modernize, and stay ahead. He’s also
an active investor and mentor, backing bold ideas in AI, SaaS, e-commerce, and more. He is
working hands-on with founders to shape products, grow companies, and challenge the status
quo. At the heart of it all is Umair’s belief in strong teams, clear thinking, and a culture that
pushes people to solve hard problems and build what matters.

Dr. Eltabakh is a Principal Scientist at Qatar Computer Research Institute (QCRI). He received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Purdue University in 2010. He was a faculty member at the Computer Science Department, Worcester Polytechnic institute (WPI), MA, USA between 2011 and 2022. He has extensive industry-related experience working at Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Teradata (in USA) for more than 8 years combined. Dr. Mohamed Eltabakh’s research expertise falls under the broad areas of big data management, scalable data analytics, AI and Large Language Models, and distributed systems. Dr. Eltabakh is leading the Fanar project, an Arabic-Centric GenAI platform developed in Qatar (www.fanar.qa). Dr. Eltabakh’s research is funded by several entities including National Science Foundation (NSF), USA, Ministry of Transportation (MoT), Qatar, and Ministry of Interior (MoI), Qatar.

Her Excellency Mrs. Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori holds a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Plymouth and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris. H.E. is the Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Industry Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).

H.E. plays a crucial role in driving Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 (DA2030). H.E. focuses on developing the country’s digital economy by enhancing the digital skills of the Qatari workforce and improving digital competency across society. A key pillar of her work is establishing a competitive digital industry, promoting innovation, and contributing to the objectives of DA2030. As the leader of TASMU Smart Qatar program, H.E. promotes sector-wide integration through innovative solutions, creating a cohesive digital ecosystem that supports sustainable development and improves the quality of life in Qatar.

Beyond her current role, H.E. is strongly committed to social development. As a former member of the Shura Council and Ambassador of Women Political Leaders in Qatar (WPL), she has championed women’s empowerment, peace, and human rights. H.E. advocacy for Qatari women’s empowerment remains a central theme of her leadership.

H.E. also holds board positions with several prestigious organizations, including Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Al Jazeera Network, Qatar National Library, and University of Doha for Science and Technology. Furthermore, she is an active member of the National Committee for Women, Children, Elderly, and Persons with Disabilities.

Through her work in digital transformation, market development, technology innovation, and women’s empowerment, H.E. Mrs. Reem Al Mansoori continues to be an influential figure in advancing Qatar’s digital landscape and driving the country’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

Eman Al Kuwari, the Director of the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar, is leading a smart country program that has implemented major solutions across different sectors such as virtual consultation in healthcare sector, realtime crowed and transport management that was integral in managing World Cup operations, national food security analytics for environment. Also overseeing the development of digital enablement by growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the establishment of tech startups in the country by operating the digital incubation center and Tasmu accelerator. She also ensured the early testing and adoption of emerging technologies under the Innovation Lab initiative, which also includes two centers of excellence focused on AI and UX/UI

Result-driven Information Communications & Technology Executive with 27 years of Experience and Track Record of Success Delivering Technology based multi-million Solutions & Investment Projects. Impressive history of bridging IS and ICT to enhance business value, confirmed ability to build teams
and achieve cross functional business objectives. Valued member of senior executives’ teams earned several degrees and certifications in Information Communications & Technology /Management/Security, outstanding interpersonal, leadership, negotiating and communication skills.

As the Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mr. Mohsin Nasser Al Marri is handling the Corporate Services in MEEZA.

He has a full understanding of the market and strategic business, driven with over 20 years of experience in legal, contract management, procurement, and business planning, also he has the ability to set policies and implement regulatory and administrative changes to achieve company’s goals.

Mr. Al Marri joined MEEZA in 2012 where he handled the Procurement Department, where he worked on the development of strategies for the Procurement Department and also worked on reviewing all the policies and procedures as well as cost reduction initiatives.

Prior to joining MEEZA, Mr. Al Marri worked in Qatar Foundation in the Procurement Directorate, prior to that he worked in the Legal Department in Ras Gas for 5 years.

Mr. Al Marri holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Aberdeen, a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Qatar University, and a diploma in Legal Studies, International & Commercial Law from UK. Additionally, he is a graduate of Qatar Leadership Center. Al Marri also holds multiple certifications in Leadership, Operations and purchasing Management, Risk Management in Supply Chain, and Logistics Management.

Amna Al Kaabi is the Head of Emerging Technology Section in the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. She has over a decade of experience in project management. Throughout her career, she has led impactful, large-scale national initiatives, including the implementation of AI projects across key government entities. With an academic background in computer science and data analytics, Amna has consistently contributed to driving innovation, supporting digital transformation efforts, and expanding the adoption of emerging technologies in Qatar.

Ali Nehme is a strategy and digital transformation leader with 15 years of experience advising governments and major conglomerates across the GCC. He currently leads large-scale national and sectoral transformation programs, supporting executive decision-makers in shaping and implementing digital strategies that accelerate innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. He has played a key role in the design and development of national digital platforms and agendas across the region, and his work spans the full spectrum of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data and analytics, and the enabling power of integrated digital ecosystems.

Ali is also deeply engaged in advancing thought leadership on the future of technology and innovation, contributing to strategic dialogues on digital disruption, ecosystem design, and the impact of exponential technologies on governments and society. More recently, Ali has been shaping key perspectives on the future of work with AI, the potential evolution of AI and key drivers for impactful AI adoption across organizations.

Swami Sekar is a Technologist, Investor and Serial Entrepreneur. He leads the AI product engagements for Cisco across EMEA and Asia-Pac region. He previously held leadership roles at Intel and VMWare in Asia-Pacific. Swami Sekar co-founded Winimy AI, a multi-award winning Voice and Conversational AI company to build the future of Brand-Customer Engagement, working closely with leading brands like Singtel Group, Marina Bay Sands, Total Group, DBS Bank and Domino’s on their conversational AI strategy and execution. He is a passionate evangelist of a conversation AI-first world, and a frequent speaker on topics including AI, Digital Transformation, Venture Capital and Innovation. As part of the Leadership team at LivePerson, he was responsible for building out the “AI-Data Operating Model” and led the voice-of-customer for building the internal LLM bot to reduce friction for business users in accessing and analyzing corporate data. Swami Sekar’s work on Conversational AI and Digital Transformation has won multiple awards from Amazon, SGInnovate, Microsoft, Enterprise Singapore, General Electric and more. Swami Sekar holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mahmoud Nofal is a highly accomplished Solutions Engineer based at Cisco in Qatar, bringing over 23 years of deep expertise in networking, comprehensive cybersecurity, and AI-ready infrastructure. As a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Emeritus, holding both the CCIE Security and Routing and Switching certifications, Mahmoud stands out as a genuine authority in securing and optimizing complex digital infrastructures. He further demonstrates his commitment to cutting-edge technology by holding a Blue Belt in AI, currently working toward the Black Belt, showcasing his leadership in the AI-Ready Data Center space. For nearly a decade, Mahmoud has operated as a trusted advisor and pre-sales leader, dedicated to helping major accounts navigate their complex digital transformation journeys. In his current role, he acts as the essential “bridge of trust” for his clients, leading extended technical teams to deliver innovative, lifecycle-driven solutions. His professional focus is leveraging this profound technical acumen and problem-solving ability to architect and apply next-generation cybersecurity solutions, ensuring exceptional customer experiences in an accelerating AI era.

Siad Aden is a Solutions Engineer at Cisco Systems with over 25 years of experience driving innovation and transformation in the technology industry. He is passionate about leveraging AI, IoT, and Smart City technologies to help organizations build secure, intelligent, and future-ready infrastructures. Cisco is transforming how organizations connect, protect, and manage data in the AI era, and Siad is dedicated to empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of the modern digital landscape. With a strong focus on blending technology and innovation, he helps customers embrace the future with confidence and vision.

Arkadeep is a product leader specializing in enterprise AI and agentic automation. He drives the roadmap for next-generation agentic solutions with a focus on operational efficiency, intelligent workflow orchestration, and scalable AI adoption. With experience across AI-native startups and enterprise SaaS ecosystems, he brings a strong execution mindset and a customer-backed approach to building high-impact AI products.