Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been the subject of unprecedented investment and enthusiasm, driven by promises of revolutionary transformation across every business function.

Shaping the future of AI-powered business strategies, these thought leaders are at the forefront of innovation, driving advancements in automation, enterprise AI, and digital transformation. They represent diverse fields, including academia, technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.

The Fast Company Middle East editorial team carefully selected individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in AI-driven impact on their industry, thought leadership, and global influence.

This list highlights various professionals, from researchers to C-suite executives and AI pioneers, who are not just adapting to the future—they are shaping the real acceleration in both the development and application of the technology.

We’ve compiled the list in alphabetical order.

Abhinav Sharma, CTO, Cisco APJC

Abhinav Sharma has over two decades of experience driving AI-powered automation, digital transformation, and enterprise modernization across global markets. As the CTO—AI & Automation, CX (Customer Experience) for Cisco APJC, he leads strategic initiatives embedding AI and Machine Learning into IT operations, service management, and enterprise platforms. His leadership includes spearheading the development of an AI-powered Observability Platform and deploying production-grade AI models that significantly improved fault prediction, anomaly detection, and incident resolution across networks. A strong advocate of LLM integration and fine-tuning methodologies like SFT, PEFT, and RLHF, he has deployed models using OpenAI, Anthropic, and Hugging Face platforms. His expertise spans OSS/BSS integration, MLOps orchestration, and model pipelines using Transformers, LangChain, Kubeflow, and FAISS/ChromaDB.

Ahmed Serag, Chief AI Officer, Weill Cornell Medicine

Professor Ahmed Serag is driving transformative innovation in the Middle East and globally. He founded and directs the AI Innovation Lab at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, leading cutting-edge AI research and fostering talent and strategic partnerships. Dr. Serag’s research boasts over 150 publications. His career includes impactful leadership roles at Philips and Novartis, spearheading AI strategies and leading the development and commercialization of pioneering AI algorithms across industries. He is dedicated to shaping AI’s future ethically, leveraging its potential for broad societal impact, and advancing the region’s standing as a global innovation hub.

Dr. Akram Awad, Managing Director & Partner, BCG

Dr. Akram Awad leads BCG’s global Smart Cities work and shapes the public sector’s future of technology and AI. With nearly 20 years of experience in consulting, telecom, and tech, he advises senior leaders in the Middle East and globally on harnessing AI and data to drive economic and societal progress. A thought leader and renowned public speaker at the intersection of AI, urban innovation, and public policy, Dr. Awad has helped craft national strategies for data, AI, and Smart Cities and enabled AI-powered governance. He led the creation of BCG’s ASPIRE framework for national AI strategies. He has co-led several of BCG’s flagship AI studies, including the Global AI Maturity Matrix and the GCC AI Pulse. He champions human-centric AI and contributes to global initiatives like the Global AI Summit.

Alessio Bagnaresi, Vice President of AI – Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, Oracle

Alessio Bagnaresi has 25 years of experience in the technology industry, with long tenure in big tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, and IBM, and as co-founder of three startups. In his current role, he, with his team, helps enterprises and AI native companies realize business value at speed, scale, and security with Oracle AI infrastructure and platform solutions. In his career, he has been responsible for commercializing Generative AI platforms and infrastructure, including Google Gemini and Microsoft OpenAI. He has played an important role in advocating AI to regional startups, universities, and research institutions by conducting seminars, panels, and advisory sessions.

Amel Chadli, President of Gulf Cluster, Schneider Electric

As the President of Schneider Electric’s Gulf Cluster, Amel Chadli has been instrumental in accelerating the company’s adoption of AI-powered solutions in sustainability, energy management, and industrial automation. Since assuming her role in 2024, Chadli has supported the local AI movement by establishing local prefabrication for “Made in UAE” AI-ready data centers. This initiative enhances the local economy and equips the region with advanced facilities for AI advancements. She is dedicated to innovation and sustainability, making notable strides in the local AI movement and sustainable infrastructure development. Her nearly 20-year journey spans financial leadership, strategy, and cross-regional business development. Chadli is also a champion of inclusivity, local talent, and women in tech. She continues to shape the region’s AI-driven sustainable future.

Amit Rawal, Chief Product & AI Officer, Cafu

Amit Rawal is a builder, teacher, and lifelong learner shaping the future of AI and human potential. As Chief Product & AI Officer at Dubai-based Cafu, he leads one of the boldest AI transformations in mobility, logistics, personalization, and automation. A former Apple AI Product Leader and Stanford Fellow, he blends deep tech with emotional insight to design systems that don’t just scale, but serve. Rawal teaches global executives AI-Supercharged Data Analysis & Storytelling and is the founder of Superchargelife.ai, an AI-powered Life OS that helps people work smarter, live longer, and grow richer. With two decades of impact across six continents, he’s on a mission to build AI systems that are intelligent but also intuitive, inclusive, and deeply human.

Ashish Koshy, CEO, Inception

Ashish Koshy has over two decades of experience driving large-scale AI and technology initiatives across multiple industries. At Inception, he leads the development of an integrated ecosystem of AI-powered solutions, partnering with public and private sectors to accelerate innovation. His focus on AI-driven innovation ensures that Inception stays at the cutting edge of technological advancement, leveraging AI and big data strategies to scale businesses and drive change.

Before joining Inception, Ashish served as Group Chief Operating Officer at M42, where he played a key role in transforming the healthcare division through innovative clinical solutions and introduced flagship initiatives in advanced diagnostics, digital health, and environmental sciences.  He is passionate about empowering young professionals to embrace AI and digital transformation, equipping them with the tools and knowledge, and is committed to shaping a future where AI and technology not only drive business growth but also deliver sustainable and societal benefits.

Awad Ahmed Ali El-Sidiq, Head of Artificial Intelligent & Data Science, ADNOC

Awad Ahmed Ali El-Sidiq has over 20 years of experience architecting and managing large enterprise analytics applications and advanced AI solutions. He pioneered BI & advanced analytics (AI/ML) solutions in the oil and gas industry in the Middle East and Africa region (MEA). He has led major AI/ML use cases development and deployment with huge business revenues and benefits.

Bahaa Farouk, Chief Digital & Data Officer, Suez Canal Bank

Bahaa Farouk has over 20 years of experience in IT, telecommunications, banking, and digital transformation across Egypt, the Gulf, and Europe.

Throughout his career, Farouk has worked with global industry leaders such as Huawei, HP, Ooredoo, Vodafone, and Banque Misr. Currently, as Chief Digital & Data Officer at Suez Canal Bank, he spearheads digital and data transformation initiatives, implementing cutting-edge solutions and agile methodologies to drive innovation and operational excellence. His expertise spans cloud computing, digital strategy, and large-scale IT modernization, positioning him as a key player in the region’s evolving tech landscape.

Bart Pietruszka, Founder & CEO, Refocus AI

Bart Pietruszka is the founder & CEO of Refocus AI, a consultancy helping organizations across the GCC unlock growth and efficiency through data, analytics, and AI. Formerly the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at HSBC, Bart brings a commercial mindset to AI, advising executive teams on how to turn emerging technologies into measurable business value. Refocus AI works with leading banks and enterprises, maintains strong relationships with regional ministries, and actively supports Dubai SME and Emirati startups. Pietruszka also leads a growing community of over 120 IT and tech specialists in the UAE and regularly speaks at industry events, connecting innovation with real-world execution.

Caner Canak, Group Director of AI & Data Science, Ooredoo Group

Caner Çanak leads AI and data science initiatives across the Ooredoo Group and specializes in transforming complex data into strategic insights that fuel innovation and business growth. His expertise spans AI technologies—including video and image processing, chatbots, RPA, mobile analytics, big data, business intelligence systems, and data warehousing. Çanak has led successful credit scoring, forecasting, and network analytics projects. His leadership in data monetization has helped unlock new digital revenue streams and enhance decision-making across the group.

Chiara Marcati, Chief AI Advisory and Business Officer, AI71

Chiara Marcati, the Chief AI Advisory and Business Officer at AI71, leads the design and scale-up of AI solutions that rewire decision-making across industries. She is passionate about transforming how people and organizations operate by applying technology to improve lives and livelihoods and harnessing the power of data-driven intelligence. Marcati’s work spans change management, capacity building, and embedding AI into core business processes to unlock long-term value. Before joining AI71, she spent 20 years as a Partner at McKinsey & Company. There, she advised leading private—and public-sector institutions on big data, AI, and expenditure optimization and led QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s specialized AI arm, across the EEMA region.

Chris Shayan, Head of AI, Backbase

Chris Shayan, a leader in AI innovation, spearheads the AI division at Backbase. With two decades of extensive technology experience across banking and fintech, Shayan leverages cutting-edge AI to redefine customer engagement and deliver substantial business growth. At Backbase, he is instrumental in developing advanced AI capabilities that empower financial institutions. His contributions include pioneering Customer Lifetime Orchestration solutions and simplifying complex data engineering and ML processes into intuitive, ‘clicks-to-go-live’ journeys. He champions the vision for a proactive AI financial coach agent designed to intelligently manage customer finances without constant user intervention. His leadership is shaping the future of AI in banking, fostering a new era of intelligent, personalized financial services that move beyond tactical features to truly transformative solutions.

Dena Almansoori, Group Chief AI and Data Officer, e&

As the Group Chief AI and Data Officer at e&, Dena Almansoori drives the AI and data strategy across 38 countries. With a proven track record in transforming organizations and shaping forward-looking strategies, she brings deep expertise in leveraging emerging technologies to unlock business value. Prior to joining e& in 2020, she founded WhiteBox HR, an award-winning AI tech company. Her leadership spans Fortune 500 companies and multiple industries, where she has consistently championed innovation, digital transformation, and progressive organizational cultures.

Dr. Dirk Jungnickel, Senior VP Enterprise Analytics & Intelligence, Emirates Group

Dr. Dirk Jungnickel leads business intelligence, data science, and AI initiatives at Emirates Group. With over 25 years of private sector experience and a background as an Assistant Professor in theoretical physics, Dr. Jungnickel has held senior executive roles in various industries, including telecommunications, consulting, and aviation. He specializes in digital transformation, particularly data-driven decision-making and the adoption of AI, building advanced technical and organizational capabilities while managing the associated complex change. At Emirates, he has driven the systematic deployment of machine learning and AI solutions, significantly enhancing customer experience, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making. Recognized as a thought leader in analytics and AI, Dr Jungnickel is a frequent speaker at major international conferences, where he addresses innovation, AI, its governance, and the evolving landscape of data science.

Lt. Colonel Dr. Essa Almutawa, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Dubai Civil Defense (DCD)

Lt. Colonel Dr. Essa Almutawa is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Head of Global Indicators for Fire Incidents, and Director of the Monitoring and Inspection Department at Dubai Civil Defense. He leads AI integration across DCD, pioneering a strategic shift toward smarter, data-driven emergency response and safety systems. With deep expertise in crisis management, information security governance, and digital transformation, Dr. Essa plays a vital role in aligning national and international safety standards. His forward-thinking leadership has positioned Dubai Civil Defense as a regional benchmark for innovation, resilience, and operational excellence in public safety.

Dr. Eva-Marie Müller-Stüler, Partner Data & AI, EY

Dr. Eva-Marie Müller-Stüler’s transformative contributions shape modern data ecosystems and ethical AI frameworks. Leading EY’s Data & AI practice in MENA, she designs cutting-edge AI strategies for Fortune 500 firms and governments, integrating AgenticAI (autonomous systems) and Generative AI to revolutionize decision-making and workflows. Formerly IBM’s CTO for AI in MEA, she built scalable, ethical AI solutions, cementing her reputation as an industry architect.

A champion of diversity, she mentors women in STEM through initiatives like Women in Data Science, advocating that inclusive teams drive innovation. A sought-after speaker and entrepreneur, she bridges AI ambition with real-world impact, proving that intelligent systems can learn, adapt, and lead ethically.

Gopinath Polavarapu, Chief Digital & AI Officer, Jaggaer

Gopinath Polavarapu has spent over two decades turning emerging technologies and AI into multi-billion-dollar growth stories. From scaling conversational AI platforms to leading transformative enterprise AI deployments, his work has consistently redefined what’s possible with intelligent automation. As the former Chief Solutions Officer at Kore.ai, he architected prebuilt AI solutions across industries, from banking to healthcare. His deep expertise spans product vision, GTM execution, and forging global alliances with hyperscalers and technology partners.

Now, as Chief Digital and AI Officer at Jaggaer, he is building an enterprise-wide AI roadmap centered on Agentic AI. His mandate includes accelerating the use of fine-tuned LLMs and autonomous workflows to transform procurement, automate decision-making, and deliver tangible outcomes in cost efficiency, compliance, and performance. GP’s commitment to advancing AI extends beyond the enterprise—he mentors talent, advises startups, and champions the ethical, human-centric evolution of AI.

Dr. Hanan El Basha, Co-Founder & CSO, Maverika

Dr. Hanan El Basha is a multi-time founder, visionary business strategist, AI advocate, and ecosystem builder. She is the co-founder & chief strategy officer at Maverika, a company developing AI agents to augment enterprise operations and unlock strategic potential. She is a leader in bridging human insight with technological advancement. Dr. Hanan is passionate about making AI accessible and actionable, particularly for resource-constrained businesses. Her work stands at the intersection of innovation, inclusivity, and intention.

Hussein Al-Natsheh, CTO – GenAI & Unstructured Data, Beyond Limits

Dr. Hussein Al-Natsheh is a leading AI expert in the EMEA region, with over 20 years of experience in the field. Currently serving as Chief Technology Officer of Generative AI and Unstructured Data Science at Beyond Limits, Inc., he has established the Center of Excellence for Unstructured Data, expanding the company’s capabilities with Generative AI and Large Language Models. Under his leadership, innovative solutions such as machine vision for smart mobility, the “Beyond Search” platform, and a no-code machine learning simulation-based optimization platform have been launched. Before this, as Chief AI Officer at Mawdoo3 Limited, he was instrumental in developing the top Arabic NLP toolkit and introducing Salma.ai and Qalam.ai. With a Ph.D. in data science from the University of Lyon and multiple advanced degrees, his career includes the founding of AI startups and key contributions to Jordan’s knowledge economy strategy. His expertise is regularly showcased as a speaker at prominent AI events.

Jack Hidary, CEO, SandboxAQ

Jack Hidary leads SandboxAQ, which focuses on enterprise SaaS solutions at the convergence of AI and Quantum tech. He is the author of Quantum Computing: An Applied Approach, one of the leading textbooks in the field. It is used in undergraduate and PhD programs and corporate training sessions. Hidary also co-authored a series of AI research papers with collaborators at MIT. He is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of several tech companies. He is a trustee of the X Prize Foundation and has been a board member of Trickle Up, which helps thousands of entrepreneurs start small businesses each year.

Joe Devassy, Director, Strategic Alliances & Generative AI – Center of Excellence, KPMG Lower Gulf

Joe Devassy has over 30 years of experience in the Middle East and Africa’s tech sector, including leadership roles at Microsoft, Nokia, and Digital Equipment Corporation. A techno-commercial strategist with a deep focus on AI, Joe leads KPMG’s Generative AI initiatives with technology vendors in the UAE and Oman, translating innovation into real-world solutions. As one of KPMG’s lead AI ambassadors, he drives strategic partnerships with major tech firms such as Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, IBM, and ServiceNow. Devassy played a pivotal role in launching the UAE Generative AI Center of Excellence in partnership with Microsoft and developing KPMG’s first internal GenAI tool, KITE. He also champions internal AI adoption, including Microsoft Copilot, and contributes to AI thought leadership locally and globally.

Joe Dunleavy, EMEA CTO and Head of Dava.X AI, Endava

As the EMEA CTO and Head of Dava.X AI at Endava, Joe Dunleavy leads the company’s global AI strategy, innovation delivery, and cross-functional teams working across industries to turn emerging AI capabilities into real-world value. Reporting to Endava’s Global CTO, he has been instrumental in developing the company’s AI propositions, including its first-of-its-kind agentic AI industry accelerator. With over 20 years of experience in AI, innovation, design, software delivery, and business leadership, Dunleavy brings a multidisciplinary lens to AI implementation. He is also an active mentor, coach, and advocate for innovation-led growth across the tech ecosystem.

Kiril Evtimov, CEO of Core42 and Group CTO, G42

Kiril Evtimov is a technology leader with extensive global experience spanning startups and Fortune 500 companies. As CEO of Core42, Evtimov leads the company in delivering best-in-class cloud and AI platform infrastructure, enabling solutions across various industries. As Group CTO at G42, he oversees the technology roadmap, innovation, and growth initiatives across the operating businesses. He has also advised several notable companies and serves on the boards of both public and private entities, including Presight, a leading AI and analytics firm, and Space42, a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company. Renowned for aligning technology with business strategy, Evtimov continues to impact the UAE’s tech ecosystem, particularly in AI, cloud, and data platforms, contributing significantly to the region’s digital transformation and global leadership in innovation.

Krishna Sai, Chief Technology Officer, SolarWinds

Krishna Sai is the CTO at SolarWinds, where he leads engineering, technology, and architecture. He focuses on building resilient, AI-driven systems for the modern enterprise. At SolarWinds, he champions the integration of emerging technologies — particularly agentic and generative AI — into observability and incident response solutions that unify visibility across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments. Previously, Sai held leadership roles at Atlassian, Groupon, and Polycom, co-founded two technology companies, and holds several patents. He is passionate about simplifying complexity, enabling predictability through AI by Design, and empowering teams to do the right thing for customers, the company, and themselves.

Kuntal Malia, Chief Data & AI Officer, Metro Brands

Kuntal Malia is a strategic AI and data executive recognized for delivering impactful business results through AI and advanced analytics. Malia started her AI journey by building algorithms and went on to lead global data science teams. With over 20 years of global experience across Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, she currently serves as the Chief Data and Insights Officer at Metro Brands, driving AI initiatives across the enterprise.

Previously, Kuntal co‑founded StyleNook, an AI‑powered personal styling platform, scaling it to 100,000 users through hyper‑personalized recommendations and a delightful customer experience. Committed to fostering diversity in tech, she actively mentors women. Kuntal is advocating for responsible AI adoption and innovation across industries.

Kurt Muehmel, Head of AI Strategy, Dataiku

Kurt Muehmel is the Head of AI Strategy at Dataiku, advising enterprise leaders on scaling AI across technology, business, and organizational dimensions. Muehmel co-authored the forthcoming O’Reilly book on LLM Mesh architectures, which outlines how organizations can build modular, secure, and cost-efficient agentic applications. His thought leadership focuses on an LLM Mesh as a unifying backbone for enterprise AI, enabling safety filters, access controls, and auditability at scale. With a career spanning the UN, a Big Four consultancy, and education, Muehmel brings a globally informed, systems-level perspective to the design of trustworthy AI. He advocates for architectures that balance rapid innovation with operational governance, helping enterprises move beyond chatbots to domain-specific, agentic applications.

Lamya Abdulaziz AlOmair, Executive Expert Advisor at Technology Foresight and Digital Economy, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia

Dr. Lamya Alomair is a leader in technology and AI, pioneering data-driven decision-making and spearheading digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, with a proven track record in strategic leadership. Dr. Lamya has been pivotal in advancing AI adoption and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital ambitions. She is a distinguished speaker at high-level international forums, including the UN, OECD, and IMF, where she advocates for AI and its impact on the digital economy. As a visionary leader, she supports AI-driven solutions. She analyzes future technological trends to assess their cross-industry impact, delivering strategic insights that drive innovation and sustainable growth in the digital economy.

Mahmoud Abdelaziz, CEO, Devision X

As the CEO and Co-Founder of DevisionX, Mahmoud Abdelaziz leads innovation in the AI computer vision industry through its flagship no-code Vision Workflow Builder platform, Tuba.AI. With over 12 years of experience spearheading impactful projects and products across computer vision, robotics, AI, digital transformation, fintech, e-KYC, RPA, and SaaS, Abdelaziz blends deep technical expertise with strategic business insights. He excels at bridging product design, architecture, and the software development cycle with a keen understanding of market dynamics and customer needs. His leadership has empowered global industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, to rapidly adopt sophisticated yet accessible AI-driven vision solutions, driving significant digital transformation.

Manal Jalloul, Founder, AI Lab

Dr. Manal Jalloul is the co-founder and CEO of AI-Lab, an AI consultancy and training company that provides specialized hands-on training and consulting services. Through the AI Lab, Dr. Jalloul strives to drive the adoption of AI among the startup ecosystem. She is a member of the International Group of Artificial Intelligence (IGOAI) advisory board and serves as Lebanon’s country advisor. She is also an executive member of the Global AI Ethics Institute expert team, which aims to build a strong and fair global governance system for AI. Dr. Manal is also a lecturer and researcher at the American University of Beirut. Her research interests lie in AI, computer vision, 3D printing, and parallel computing.

Manish Vaidya, Data Science & AI Head, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Manish Vaidya is an accomplished leader in data science and AI. His core competencies include AI, machine learning, advanced data visualization, and operational optimization, underpinned by a balanced integration of technical expertise and strategic acumen. As Head of AI at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Vaidya spearheads data-driven initiatives that promote innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver measurable outcomes. He also lends his expertise as an advisor to AI startups, supporting the development and scaling up of impactful, technology-driven solutions. A strong proponent of digital transformation, he remains committed to leveraging emerging technologies to address complex challenges and deliver sustainable value at scale.

Merouane Debbah, Professor at Khalifa University, Director of the KU 6G Research Center

Mérouane Debbah is a researcher, educator, and technology entrepreneur. He has founded several public and industrial research centers and start-ups. He is now a Professor at  Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and the founding Director of the KU 6G Research Center. His research has been at the interface of fundamental mathematics, algorithms, statistics, information, and communication sciences with a special focus on random matrix theory and learning algorithms. In the AI field, he is known for his work on Large Language Models, distributed AI systems for networks, and semantic communications. He received multiple prestigious distinctions, prizes, and best paper awards for his contributions to both fields. In 2024, he pioneered the concept of TelecomGPT. He is chair of the IEEE Large Generative AI Models in Telecom (GenAINet) Emerging Technology Initiative and a Marconi Prize Selection Advisory Committee member.

Dr. Mohammed Alhussein, Founder & CEO, Mozn

Dr. Mohammed Alhussein is the Founder and CEO of Mozn, an AI company driving innovation across industries. Before founding Mozn, Dr. Alhussein was a founding committee member and board member of the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE). He was also part of the founding team at Elm. Additionally, he served as an Assistant Professor at the College of Computer and Information Sciences at King Saud University, contributing to academic advancements within the field. Dr. Alhussein’s research in cybersecurity has resulted in several patents, demonstrating his commitment to advancing technology and innovation.

Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO, Data Hub Integrated Solutions Moro LLC (Moro Hub)

Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, who is leading Moro Hub to be the best data hub to offer best-of-breed technology solutions, abreast with the latest digital services, focusing on sustainability and sovereignty, is an inspiring and collaborative leader with the skills to motivate and lead people in a diverse cultural environment. He has over 22 years of cross-functional expertise in the telecom, energy, and digital solutions spectrum. He began his career at the Emirates Telecommunication Group Company (Etisalat) in 2003, serving in various positions in Telecom Carrier, SMB/ Channels, and Govt & Enterprise Sales. Bin Sulaiman possesses high business acumen skills in leading B2B & B2C market segments. In 2016, he joined Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and was appointed Chief Digital Solutions Officer to lead digital innovation, customer happiness, and transformation projects.

Mohammad Refai, Director AI & Data Science, Du

Mohammad Refai is the Director of Artificial Intelligence at du, leading enterprise-wide AI initiatives that enhance customer experience and optimize operations. With over 13 years of experience in full-stack AI solution development, he combines strategic vision with deep technical expertise. Refai is known for his ability to engage both C-level leaders and engineering teams, ensuring AI strategies are effectively translated into impactful business outcomes. At du, he is pivotal in advancing the company’s digital transformation journey.

Moza Omar Al Futtaim, Chief AI Officer, Al-Futtaim 

Moza Al Futtaim is the Chief AI Officer at Al-Futtaim, a diversified and progressive privately held regional business headquartered in Dubai. In this first-of-its-kind role, she leads the Group’s AI strategy, driving innovation across its diverse portfolio by embedding AI into operations to boost efficiency, enhance customer experience, and fuel business growth. Her vision is to cultivate a culture of AI adoption and continuous learning, positioning AI as a core driver of strategic development.  Previously, she was Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, leading impactful initiatives in social welfare, environmental sustainability, disaster relief, and inclusive employment. Her multidisciplinary background uniquely equips her to lead Al-Futtaim’s AI-driven transformation.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO, TII

Dr. Najwa Aaraj is the CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), the overarching advanced technology body in Abu Dhabi responsible for driving research and development for transformative technology outcomes. She has extensive expertise in applied cryptography, trusted platforms, security architecture for embedded systems, software exploit detection and prevention systems, and biometrics. She also specializes in shaping the robotics and self-organized autonomous vehicles ecosystem in the UAE and beyond, exploring their application across air, land, on-sea, and underwater.

Dr. Aaraj has contributed multiple conference papers for professional bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), journal papers, and book chapters, and received patents on applied cryptography, embedded system security, and machine learning-based protection of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning Research Group) and an adviser to multiple security and Machine Learning startups, including Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.

Nicolai Solling, Chief Technology Officer, Help AG

As CTO at Help AG, Nicolai Solling leads the company’s professional services, support operations, and technical vendor management across the region. With over two decades of experience in the IT and network industry, Nicolai has been instrumental in architecting and deploying some of the most advanced cybersecurity infrastructures for enterprises across various sectors. Renowned for his deep expertise in cybersecurity technologies and practical experience in solution integration, design, and presales, Solling also plays a pivotal role in driving Help AG’s innovation strategy. He actively identifies emerging technologies and brings impactful, next-generation solutions to the market, particularly in AI and post-quantum cryptography.

Nikita Gordeev, Chief Technology Officer, Snoonu

Nikita is the CTO at Snoonu, Qatar’s fastest-growing technology company. He has over 10 years of dedication to software development and leadership roles in the banking, telecommunication, and e-commerce sectors. Empowered by a master’s degree in Information Security and advanced studies at MIT, he is always open and eager to share knowledge and insights with those who are interested.

Noor Alnahhas, CEO, nybl

Noor Alnahhas is a serial entrepreneur with a 20-year track record of developing and scaling new companies and technologies. Apart from being the co-founder and CEO of nybl, Alnahhas serves as a strategy and growth advisor to several startups and businesses in Dubai and globally and is an advisory board member on the AI and Ethics board in Dubai. Pushing boundaries from the Middle East to the rest of the world, his role extends beyond the boardroom, as he actively partakes in international events showcasing the advancements of Middle East technology on a global stage.

Nurettin Cetinkaya, Network Infrastructure CTO Middle East, Nokia

Nurettin Cetinkaya has a proven track record of leadership and innovation. He spearheads strategic initiatives and technological advancements to shape the future of telecom networks in the Middle East. Before joining Nokia, Cetinkaya held several influential positions within Alcatel-Lucent, where he demonstrated his prowess as a visionary leader. As the CTO & Technical Sales Leader for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region, he crafted and executed comprehensive technical sales strategies, fostering collaboration and driving growth initiatives. With a strong background in research and development, he contributed to establishing a government-certified R&D center in Istanbul. He secured funding for major projects, showcasing his dedication to driving innovation and technological excellence.

Olaf Penne, Lead Expert for Data, Analytics & AI at EDGE Learning &  Innovation Factory

Olaf Penne is a Lead Expert for Data, Analytics, and AI at the Learning & Innovation Factory of EDGE, a fastest-growing advanced technology and defense group based in Abu Dhabi, where he established the AI Academy. The Learning & Innovation Factory is a hub that offers advanced upskilling and technology-driven solutions to enhance manufacturing excellence and innovation in the defense and industrial sectors. Within this role, he leads AI training initiatives that span multiple organizational levels, from executive leadership to AI professionals and across EDGE entities. With 20 years of data and AI experience and a passion for education, Penne brings a unique perspective to AI training. His innovative approach to AI education and talent development has positioned the Learning & Innovation Factory as a leader in the region’s AI education landscape.

Omran AlShamsi, Chief of AI, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

Omran Alshamsi is the Chief AI Officer at the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, leading efforts to embed AI into national labor systems. His work focuses on harnessing AI to enhance workforce planning, streamline services, and support evidence-based policymaking. Prior to this, he held key roles in data governance at the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi and systems development at the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources. With over six years of experience in public sector innovation, Alshamsi deeply understands how emerging technologies can drive operational efficiency and long-term economic resilience. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to modernizing government infrastructure through responsible AI adoption and data-led transformation.

Padam Kafle, Head of Innovation, Aster DM Healthcare

Padam Kafle is redefining the future of healthcare and intelligence by pioneering decentralized superintelligence ecosystems. As the mind behind PAHSI (Personalized Artificial Healthcare SuperIntelligence) and ALIF (Advanced Life-Integrating Intelligence Framework), he leads the next wave of AI evolution beyond conventional boundaries. Currently, Kafle is building AXZ.SI, a blockchain-powered superintelligence platform, and Alif Healthchain, the world’s first decentralized health wallet ecosystem secured by AFT (Alif Fractioner Token) and Alif Vault — empowering individuals to own, control, and monetize their healthcare data securely across Web3 networks. His work bridges cognition, trust, and freedom in the digital era, laying the foundations for intelligent, self-sovereign healthcare ecosystems that belong to people, not systems.

Paul Potgieter, Director – Technology, Product and Platforms, NEOM

Paul Potgieter is a visionary AI leader. As a senior executive within Oxagon, NEOM’s advanced and cognitive industrial city, Potgieter is actively shaping the future of intelligent manufacturing and data-driven economies. He also serves as Chairman of the South African Business Council, where he champions cross-regional collaboration and economic transformation between Africa and the Gulf. He thrives at the intersection of vision, technology, and execution, and his journey reflects a commitment to harnessing AI as a tool and a catalyst for societal and industrial renewal. Through platforms like Oxagon and the South African Business Council, he inspires leaders, innovators, and nations to believe in possibility and act on it.

Rob Lee, CTO, Pure Storage

Rob Lee is CTO at Pure Storage, focused on global technology strategy and identifying innovations and market expansion opportunities. He joined Pure Storage in 2013 as part of the FlashBlade founding team and led the software architecture and development, from concept to launch, for the product, which has eclipsed $1 billion in business. Prior to Pure Storage, Lee was an Architect at Oracle, where he worked on programming language runtimes for the Oracle RDBMS and high-performance distributed transaction processing systems. He focused on improving the performance, reliability, and programming models behind large-scale distributed systems. He holds over 75 patents in distributed systems, language runtimes, and storage systems.

Dr. Sanjay Chawla, Chief Scientist of Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Sanjay Chawla is the Chief Scientist of Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He has contributed extensively to several strategic AI initiatives in HBKU and Qatar, including Fanar, the Arabic-centric multimodal Generative AI platform; the UK-Qatar AI Commission; the National AI Strategy of Qatar; a research partnership with Boeing Research and Technology; and a collaboration with MIT on AI-driven geospatial map generation. His current research interests include robustness of machine learning algorithms and out-of-distribution detection. He has been teaching a Reinforcement Learning graduate-level course at HBKU for the last five years. Before joining QCRI, he was a Pattern and Data Mining Professor at the University of Sydney.

Sumeet Agrawal, VP – Product Management for Agentic AI, Informatica

Sumeet Agrawal is Vice President of Product Management at Informatica, overseeing the iPaaS, API & App Integration, and AI Agents product portfolios. With over 15 years of experience in data and AI, he has been instrumental in driving key innovations at Informatica, particularly in AI Agent Engineering and no-code GenAI applications for enterprises. Agrawal leads the product management team behind solutions that empower customers to build, manage, and connect AI agents and develop enterprise-class GenAI apps. Previously, he led Informatica’s Data Science and Data Engineering product lines, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader in the industry. He is passionate about shaping the next generation of AI solutions and is deeply excited about this field’s transformative potential.

Vaibhav Vohra, President and Chief Product & Technology Officer, Epicor

Vaibhav Vohra is the President and Chief Product and Technology Officer at Epicor. In his role, Vohra is responsible for driving the company’s global AI-driven Cognitive ERP strategy, empowering the supply chain industries and their workers with 10x capabilities and insights. He brings deep enterprise SaaS transformation and product development experience in various industries, including manufacturing, retail, and aerospace. Prior to Epicor, Vohra built and scaled startups, including the largest deployment of autonomous robots/AI in retail and in industries in the US. He also held executive roles at SAP, helping manage the company’s ERP product portfolio, SaaS transformation, and incubation of new businesses.

Dr. Zeyad Sarairah, Chief Specialist in AI & Planning and Designing of Digital Services, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)

Dr. Ziad Saraireh is an AI and digital transformation expert, currently serving as the Chief Specialist in AI & Planning and Designing of Digital Services at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, UAE. With over 15 years of experience in both the information technology industry and academia, Dr. Saraireh has held several prominent positions. His expertise encompasses machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, deep learning, and business intelligence. He is also proficient in innovation management and digital transformation strategies. Dr. Sarairah’s career combines academic excellence and practical innovation, positioning him as a key figure in advancing AI initiatives within the UAE’s public sector.