The Largest Gathering
of Blockchain Experts
in 2024
![Top 4 Speakers in Global Blockchain Show](https://www.globalblockchainshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/4-Speakers.webp)
Meet iconic cryptocurrency founders and CEOs, blockchain evangelists and developers, investors, venture capitalists and industry leaders who will take the stage with incredible talks, panels and fireside chats. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered by the visionary minds shaping the future of blockchain. Our handpicked speakers bring unparalleled expertise, diverse perspectives, and groundbreaking insights to the stage. From global industry leaders to rising stars, each one is a trailblazer in their own right, poised to ignite your imagination and spark transformative conversations.
Join us as we unlock the secrets of blockchain with our distinguished experts, who will delve deep into the latest trends, share cutting-edge research, and explore the limitless possibilities that blockchain, Web3 and crypto presents. Prepare to be captivated, challenged, and inspired with the brightest minds in the field and be a part of the conversation shaping tomorrow, today.
David Chaum pioneered privacy in modern communication as the inventor of mix nets, blind signatures, and multiparty computation that laid the foundation for enabling secure voting systems, anonymous internet surfing (Dark Web/TOR Network) and DigiCash, the first cryptocurrency and precursor to Bitcoin to allow for anonymous transactions. Chaum is currently leading xx network, a completely private, quantum-secure decentralized messaging and payment platform. He is working with the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) on new technologies for CBDC digital currencies.
Founder
XX Network
Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK Digital Assets Oasis, leads the only common law free zone dedicated to non-regulated digital and virtual asset companies. With over 35 years of finance expertise, he also heads RAK ICC, a fast-growing offshore corporate registry. Dr. Al Ansari's leadership extends to multiple boards including Marjan, TVM Healthcare Partners, and Al Ramz Capital. Previously, he served as Chairman & CEO of Dubai International Capital ($13B AUM) and held various roles on regional and international boards, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Holding. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
CEO
RAK DAO
H.E. Justin Sun is the Ambassador and former Permanent Representative of Grenada to the WTO, Founder of TRON, one of the world's largest blockchain DAO ecosystems, and Advisor to HTX, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. A protege of Alibaba's Jack Ma, Sun has been named Forbes' 30 under 30 in the Consumer Technology category several times, among other global recognitions. Sun is an avid art collector, gamer, investor, philanthropist, and space enthusiast.
Founder of TRON
Member of the HTX Global Advisory Board
Dr. Marwan Alzarouni is an internationally recognized blockchain technology advocate, keynote speaker and strategic advisor. Dr. Alzarouni is the CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), an impact business and a strategic partner to Dubai Future Foundation.
The center was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum under the Area 2071 initiative in May 2018. It aims to create a fertile ground and a holistic ecosystem for blockchain companies and projects to thrive in. DBCC regularly hosts a number of blockchain startups within Area 2071 and also conducts educational classes and seminars around blockchain use cases in government and private sector.
CEO
Dubai Blockchain Center
Robby is CEO of Animoca Brands – a leader in Web3 gaming and investing, and the company behind the Sandbox. Robby’s career has focused on the TMT industries, from the early days of analogue mobile and web 1.0 to traditional ad-supported media and free-to-play games.
CEO
Animoca Brands
Dominic is founder of the Internet Computer (ICP) blockchain project and President and Chief Scientist of the DFINITY Foundation.
Before transitioning to work full time in crypto in 2013, Dominic was an engineering entrepreneur that created multiple internet technologies and products.
His previous venture was an MMO game that had millions of users. He was first introduced to cypherpunk thinking when using Wei Dai's crypto++ library in 1998, which had documentation referencing the b-money proposal.
Founder & Chief Scientist
DFINITY Foundation
Marcello Mari, is the CEO and founder of SingularityDAO as well as founding member of SingularityNET. He has led the blockchain protocol to significant achievements, including raising over $5.8 million from VCs and reaching a peak valuation of $600 million. He also coordinated the first NFT collaboration between a human and AI, raising over $1.4 million. Starting his career in London and contributing to major publications, Marcello has been recognized for his work in blockchain and AI, including speaking at TEDx and receiving the prestigious AIBC award for Top AI Voice in 2024. Over his career Marcello has participated to the foundation and launch of over 6 crypto / AI projects.
CEO and founder
SingularityDAO
Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, leads the product team with a focus on derivatives, asset management and user experience, actively driving innovations and strategies. With close to a decade of experience in trading, product management, and market development, Vivien has cultivated her expertise in forex and equity derivative products through pivotal roles at reputable institutions such as Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank. Additionally, Vivien has years of experience in well-known crypto exchanges as leaders of financial products, risk management, and new product development, along with a deep understanding of product life cycle and go-to-market strategy.
Chief Product Officer
BingX
Carmen, CoinW's Chief Communications Officer, embodies resilience and innovation, boasting ASIC RG 146 Tier 1 certification. Her expertise extends to AML and CTF compliance, showcased on global stages like Token2049 and the World Blockchain Summit. Recognized as a TOP BIT INFLUENCER 2022, Carmen's impact graces Nasdaq billboards. Her journey from Emirates Airline to CoinW signifies her tenacity and talent in shaping the web3 landscape, marking her as a trailblazer in financial and blockchain realms.
Chief Communications Officer
CoinW
Alicia Kao is KuCoin's Managing Director. With more than ten years of digital marketing experience, she's a blockchain believer and an avid NFT collector. Alicia joins KuCoin since 2019. In her four-year tenure, she has been responsible for KuCoin's marketing and managing institutional and VIP client relationships. She's currently focused on external long-term strategy development and fostering lasting partnerships to help build the crypto industry. She majored in sociology.
Managing Director
KuCoin
David Palmer, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Vodafone's Digital Asset Broker (DAB) platform, is a digital visionary and recognized thought leader in blockchain and Web3. With expertise in converging digital technologies and new business models, he explores opportunities in IoT, Blockchain, DeFi, Digital Identity, AI, and the Metaverse, making significant contributions to Vodafone Business's leadership in blockchain technology.
Chief Product Officer, Co-founder
Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker (DAB) Platform, Vodafone
Pierre, a Partner at Roland Berger, leads the firm's Digital Asset, Web3, and Metaverse practice, advising governments, corporates, and web3 companies on strategy, organizational improvements, and venture building. With a background in energy and trading, he's been in the crypto ecosystem since 2015, involved in digital assets projects and Bitcoin mining. Pierre is active in global think tanks like the World Economic Forum's Crypto Impact Accelerator and co-initiated The Green Block for AI and Web3 sustainability. He's a board advisor at Wisdomise, holds an MBA, and executive certificates from MIT Sloan, Wharton, LBS, and INSEAD.
Partner | Global Co-Head Crypto
Economy
Roland Berger
With over 15 years of experience in crypto and financial services, Lennix spearheads business strategy and operations at OKX globally. Since joining in 2017, he has been pivotal in transforming OKX into a leading hub for DeFi, NFTs, blockchain gaming, and crypto trading. Formerly with JP Morgan, AIG, and CASH Financial Services Group, Lennix is committed to fostering financial inclusion and dismantling traditional barriers to wealth creation through innovative, decentralized, and secure means. His mission is to empower everyone to create and own wealth on a global scale.
Chief Commercial Officer
OKX
Jordi Alexander is a prominent figure in the global market making space, specializing in Digital Assets. Serving as the Chief Alchemist of Mantle, he leads innovation in token-governed technologies on the Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain. In addition to his role as Chief Information Officer at Selini Capital, Jordi wears many hats—hosting the SteadyLads podcast, demonstrating expertise in game theory, and actively participating as an angel investor and advisor. His multifaceted involvement adds depth to his influence in shaping and advancing the realms of blockchain, investments, and decentralized technologies.
Chief Alchemist
Mantle
Founder of the Bitcoin Center in 2013 the first live crypto currency exchange. Located 100 feet from the New York Stock Exchange(prominently displayed on the netflix documentary "Banking on Bitcoin"). Inventor of the multi-branched blockchain, and blockchain voting. Both patents have been granted. Thirty years of experience in technology and politics. Pioneer and thought leader in the blockchain paradigm. He was also Founder of GetaRoom.com in 1997. In 1983 he attended New York Institute of technology where he studied computer science and AeroSpace Engineering.
Bitcoin Pioneer/Founder
Bitcoin Center NYC
Mario Nawfal is the host of the largest show on Twitter with guests including Hunter Biden, Elon Musk, Imran Khan, Bill Ackman and Marc Cuban reaching millions of people a week and leading the citizen journalism movement. Mario is also the founder and CEO of IBC group which is the largest incubator in crypto and AI and is one of the leading voices in the industry.
Founder and CEO
IBC Ventures
Jason Allegrante is the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Fireblocks, a market-leading provider of technology solutions to enable businesses to easily and securely support digital asset and cryptocurrency use cases.
Jason began his career in the Financial Institution Supervision Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He later practiced law at the international firms Linklaters LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell.
Since 2018, Jason has served as senior legal counsel to early stage fintech and SaaS companies and advised on critical matters at the intersection of financial services and the emerging blockchain-based ecosystem.
Jason holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from Columbia University and a Certificate in Global Business Law and Governance from Sciences Po / Paris I - Pantheon Sorbonne.
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
Fireblocks
Saqr Mashhor Ereiqat, a forward-thinking individual who perceives the potential of blockchain and Web3. As the CEO at TDMM, Partner at the TradeDog Group, Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis Ventures and Riddermark, Saqr is making his mark on the fintech, blockchain, healthtech, and govtech landscapes. With a stellar 13-year career at IBM Middle East and Africa under his belt, Saqr is an authority on enterprise blockchain. Not only did he co-author IBM’s first government blockchain methodology, but he also played a crucial role in shaping the Dubai government's blockchain strategy. His influence spans across continents, having led projects in 23 countries across Europe, Middle East & Africa. Saqr has worked with both public and private sector entities, including DHL, Shell, Airtel, the UAE Prime Minster's office and others to define, create, and implement their strategies. Today, Saqr devotes his expertise to nurturing startups and aiding large-scale establishments in shaping their technological strategies, fostering innovation across industries.
Chief Executive Officer
TDMM
Nikhil, EMURGO's COO, spearheads commercial adoption efforts worldwide with 115 global employees. He oversees Fintech, Media, and Education product development and establishes an incubation arm. Formerly, he served as COO at a Singaporean startup focusing on trade solutions with Hyperledger Fabric and Corda, raising $7m Series A during Covid. With 15 years at Barclays, he enhanced capital efficiency, engaged in regulatory lobbying, and drove strategic initiatives for Asian business growth, collaborating closely with senior management and investment banking divisions.
COO
EMURGO
Christian Gleich is the ambassador of the European Blockchain Association and well-known as a consultant and international speaker on topics related to blockchain, web3, tokenization and the metaverse. His focus over the last 25 years has been on the specific development of digital use cases and business models as well as their monetization. In various leadership positions, the digital expert led innovative projects for Samsung, Nike as well as NASA. He also holds the Guinness® World Record for the largest product launch of all time - streamed from the international space station (ISS). Right now he is focusing on tokenization for companies of different industries.
International Ambassador
European Blockchain Association
Irina Karagyaur is a dynamic leader in the blockchain and Web3 space. Her involvement in various projects, including founding initiatives aimed at leveraging technology for social impact, as well as her roles in advocacy and education within the blockchain community, showcase her leadership and dynamic approach to addressing complex issues like energy transition and climate change through innovative technologies. Irina co-founded BQ9, an ecosystem growth agency on a mission to turn great ideas into great Web3 products. BQ9 works on business model creation, product ideation and development & Ecosystem Strategy. She is also founder of Creators4Impact (the open knowledge community), creator and host of Creators Imagining the Future Community Dialogues. Irina is an editor and expert contributor to ITU Focus Group on Metaverse (FG-MV), and a mentor for UN Women Mentorship Program. Irina is an active Polkadot Head Ambassador, creators of Energy Web X Global Leaders program & creator and a host of The Business Case for Polkadot podcast & DOT4Business community in partnership with Polkadot Blockchain Academy. Irina is named one of the Top 100 Women of the Future, the winner of the 2022 Rising Women in Crypto Power List by Wirex and The Cryptonomist, Asia's 100 Women Power Leaders, the winner of Women of Web3 Changemakers 2023 by Near Foundation, Top 20 Women Blockchain Leaders in 2023 by Whizlabs, LinkedIn Top Strategy & Metaverse Voice 2024, Top 20 women in blockchain 2024 by Mural, Top 20 Women Blockchain Leaders in 2024 by Whizlabs. Irina has delivered a TEDx talk "Knowledge Communities are Shaping the Metaverse" at TEDxMaviliSquare 2023. Featured in Entrepreneur India, Arab Finance, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, BeInCrypto, Financial Times, Harvard Business Review Turkey, GeckoCon by CoinGecko, Benzinga, NFT NYC and more. Delivered lectures and talks at COP26, COP27, COP28; UNESCO HQ, Politecnico di Milano, Queens College City University of New York, UCL, Glasgow University Engineering Technology Society.
Co-Founder & CEO
BQ9
Rifad is the General Manager of OKX for the MENA region. He brings in over a decade of experience in business strategy, management and public policy in the MENA region. Prior to OKX, Rifad was the Vice President and General Manager of Rain Financial in the UAE. Rifad's earlier roles included leading Uber's ride hailing business in the GCC and the levant region;Rifad has a bachelors degree from the University of Toronto and an MBA from IE Business school.
General Manager MENA
OKX
Johnson Yeh holds a PhD in Strategic Management from Peking University and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He has significant experience in the gaming and circular economy sectors, having held senior positions at Riot Games and the World Economic Forum. Currently, Johnson leads Ambrus Studio, a Web3 game production company, and ROEHL, a Lifestyle as a Service brand focused on sustainability.
Founder & CEO
ROEHL/Ambrus Studio
Abdulla Al Dhaheri is a multifaceted professional who embodies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the world of blockchain and cybersecurity. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity and an Associate degree in Blockchain Management, Abdulla has made substantial contributions to these fields, reflected in his two patented blockchain inventions. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and businessman, known for his forward-thinking leadership, strategic acumen, and keen ability to steer multimillion-dollar businesses to success. Notably, he has lent his expertise to various successful Web 3 and NFT projects, illustrating his versatility and adaptability to emerging trends in technology. Abdulla's influence extends into the public sector, where his exceptional problem-solving skills and visionary outlook are utilized in government roles. His commitment to technological advancement has significantly impacted this space, as he has bridged the gap between innovation and governance.
CEO
Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center
Serena Sebastiani is a Senior Director in the Financial Services Advisory arm of PwC Middle East, and Consulting Virtual Assets Leader. Building a digital, innovative, open economy is a priority for most of the GCC Nations, to support the sustainability of their growth strategies, diversify from legacy oil-based economies, and improve financial inclusion. Serena has 13+ years of experience in supporting Regulators, Governments and the Private Sector to achieve these objectives, through designing strategies, policies and implementation actions that will define the Future of Banking and Finance.
Virtual Assets Lead, Director Financial Services Consulting
PwC Middle East
With a decade on Wall Street, Tone transitioned to Bitcoin advocacy, leveraging his expertise through a YouTube Channel and appearances on CNBC, RT, and documentaries like Magic Money. As an independent content creator at ToneVays.com and event producer for Non Confiscatable, Understanding Bitcoin, and The Financial Summit, he imparts financial insights. Tone, holding a Masters in Financial Engineering and Bachelor Degrees in Mathematics and Geology, passionately educates about the significance of Bitcoin's unique Financial Technology.
Financial Analyst, Founder
Financial Summit
He is a founding partner at SwissBorg, overseeing assets surpassing $2 billion and a team of 230 employees. As a Cointelegraph Accelerator Mentor, TEDx speaker, and host of "Cryptonites" on YouTube, Alex is a prominent figure in the crypto space. His expertise extends to keynotes, panels, and educational sessions at prestigious events such as WEF Davos, CNBC, Cointelegraph, Coindesk, Token2049, AIM Summit, Le Figaro, Paris Blockchain Week, Blockdown, Cryptoslate, and more, solidifying his influence in the global blockchain and cryptocurrency community.
Chief Partnership Officer
Swissborg
Tobias Bauer, Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, invests in and builds top-tier startups. As a Startup Mentor for APX, PlugAndPlay, and Alchemist Accelerator, and a Venture Partner of Republic, he brings extensive expertise. Supporting Chinaccelerator's investment team, Tobias contributed to the success of this elite global accelerator program by SOSV with $855M+ AUM in China. Formerly with the German Government in Thailand, he co-organized the NSTF career fair, drawing 1.1M visitors. With a background at PwC and goetzpartners, Tobias has international experience, having lived in 9 countries. Fluent in Mandarin, English, and German, he holds an MSC in Management + CEMS Master's from National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University, and a Bachelor's in Management and Law with Distinction from Management Center Innsbruck and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.
Partner
Blockchain Founders Fund
Alexis began passively investing in cryptocurrencies early 2017 and, during the spring of 2018, launched the Light Node Ventures subsidiary, a growth & advisory company which targets the Blockchain community. In summer of 2019, Alexis founded Legends Investment Network, the largest private investment network for professional athletes and entertainers in North America, another subsidiary. Athletes and entertainers come together to learn about alternative investments and asset classes.
Alexis serves as President of the Johns Hopkins Blockchain and Fintech network which is an affiliate group of the university that connects students, alumni and professors that work or express interest within the Blockchain space.
Alexis graduated with Cum Laude distinction from Loomis Chaffee, an independent boarding school in Windsor, CT and part of Ten Schools Admissions Organization. A recipient of the Little Rock 9 Scholarship, Alexis holds a bachelors in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering.
Co founder & CEO
Light Node Ventures
Amie is a managing partner of Yuzu Capital. She believes in supporting buidlers* and entrepreneurs with a vision to build a world where basic income and control of personal data can be established through Web3 ecosystem. She currently is working with an asset management driven by AI company that helps institution to open up new markets in equity trading, to have the foresight in investing in AI that assist mankind. Setting an example to create a venture ecosystem that will help Southeast Asia to connect with Middle East, sharing same ambitions to leapfrog digital transformation in the new web3 era.
Managing Partner, Yuzu Capital
PENTAIP Founder Fund
Stefan Kimmel, CEO at M2, leads the company's mission in digital currency investment globally. With 25+ years in finance and fintech, he excels in delivering client-centric solutions. Stefan's expertise spans leadership roles at Kraken MENA, Commercial Bank of Dubai, PWC, IBM, and Oliver Wyman Middle East. His commitment to innovation drives M2 towards its vision of a premier global investment platform.
CEO
M2
Naeem is a former hedge fund trader with over 10 years of experience in investment banking. He is a regular guest with all tier one media such as CNBC & Bloomberg. He has spoken at the headquarters of the European Parliament on the subject of blockchain and its adoption. Moreover, Naeem has guest lectured at the most prestigious universities in the UK such as The London School of Economics, The Warwick University and his own university, The University of Leeds.
Naeem was awarded National Award (Irish Brokers Young Award) in October 2010. He has vast experience in investments, portfolio management and proactively takes advantage of various market trends in all aspects of investment origination, such as research and appraisal, valuation, structuring, deal execution, ongoing management and exit strategies.
Columnist
NASDAQ
Grey’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-education, and the courage to take risks.
Born and raised in Malawi, Grey’s humble beginnings were far from the world of digital currencies and financial markets. However, his thirst for knowledge and a better life led him down an unconventional path. He taught himself how to code, design, and edit videos, and eventually discovered the world of cryptocurrency.
Grey’s journey in the crypto world began with a simple curiosity, which quickly turned into a passion. He spent countless hours learning about digital currencies, blockchain technology, and trading strategies. His dedication and relentless pursuit of knowledge paid off when he made his first successful trade. From that moment, Grey knew he had found the key to financial freedom.
Founder
Crypto University
Anton Golub, Founder & Chairman of SwissAssetDAO, and Advisor & Venture Partner at Full Stack VC. He founded flovtec, a Swiss market-maker for digital asset exchanges, and co-founded Trust Square AG, a blockchain hub. Previously, he co-founded Lykke Corp, a fee-free blockchain exchange, and worked as Chief Science Officer. With experience at Olsen Ltd and Alliance Manchester Business School, he specializes in high-frequency trading and market microstructure. He contributed to the Foresight Project on algorithmic trading and EU-backed research projects.
Founder & Chairman
SwissAssetDAO
Sjuul attained financial independence through cryptocurrency, leveraging early adoption, self-education, and hard work. During the 2021 bull run, he shared his knowledge on AltCryptoGems, gaining over 300,000 followers. With a total reach exceeding 700,000 followers and 25M monthly impressions, Sjuul focuses on sharing lessons and insights about the crypto world. This passion culminated in AltCryptoTalk, an educational platform uniting all things crypto for those intrigued by the magnificent world of cryptocurrency.
Founder & CEO
AltCryptoTalk
Self educated software developer, enterprise level system designer, and extensive bitcoin architecture knowledge. Davinci Jereme is an experienced manager, software engineer who specializes in developing application frameworks (APIs), multi-ter clustered systems that enable the enterprise to scale up exponentially. Davinci has developed many advanced systems that include Server side web service, multi-threaded clustered enterprise software, Active X controls, and advanced archival compression algorithm. He can code in many software languages with key efficiencies in Delphi, C++, SQL and C#. Davinci Jeremie is also an advanced network administrator, domain controler, advanced security systems and virtualization software such as VMware, ESXi, and Microsoft Hyper-V Server. Linux and Mac OS X system knowledge with bitcoin mining and server side pool management.
Also Davinci's hoby's are studying the financial system, how money works since 2007, and discussing gold and silver on YouTube since 2008 that allowed him to become a early adopter of bitcoin in March of 2011.
Crypto Educator & Entrepreneur
DavinciCodes Software Design
Carl Runefelt, also known as ‘The Moon’ is the founder of The Moon Group and cryptojobs.com. He is a serial entrepreneur who has invested in over 400 blockchain-based startups, & has been featured in Forbes 30 under 30. The crypto evangelist has also been featured in top business publications such as, FOX Business, Forbes US, CNBC, Business Insider, Coin Telegraph and Tech Telegraph UK.
Founder
The Moon Group
Maurizio, the host of the renowned Mr. M Podcast, brings a unique perspective to our discussion, offering valuable insights garnered from conversations with thought leaders and innovators across the global Web3 landscape, enriching our dialogue with his deep understanding of emerging trends and opportunities.
Founder
Mr.M Podcast
Hanson Robotics’ most advanced human-like robot, Sophia, personifies our dreams for the future of AI. As a unique combination of science, engineering, and artistry, Sophia is simultaneously a science fiction character depicting the future of AI and robotics, and a technology platform for advanced robotics and AI research.
Since her launch in 2016, Sophia captivated the imagination of global audiences. She served as the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, and became the world’s first robot citizen. As a technology, Sophia’s science has won top AI awards including from Neurips, World Technology Awards, and Edison Prize. Sophia’s appearances on BBC, CNN, Reuters, the Tonight Show, and Good Morning Britain, made her the world’s most famous robot— a beloved household name with millions of viewers, subscribers, followers, and fans, who tune in regularly to see Sophia’s story and latest developments.
Humanoid Robot
Hanson Robotics
Jamie Metzl is one of the world’s leading experts on the implications of the intersecting AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions and how governments, corporations, organizations, and individuals can best ride the wave of these unprecedented transformations to build their best possible futures. A technology and healthcare futurist, he is the author of the international bestseller, Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity, the genetics sci-fi thrillers Genesis Code and Eternal Sonata, and other books. His highly-anticipated new book, Superconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI RevolutionsWill Transform Our Lives, Work, and World, will be published in June 2024.
Jamie is Founder and Chair of the global social movement, OneShared.World, a Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Council, a faculty member of NextMed Health, and a Singularity University expert. In 2019, he was appointed to the World Health Organization expert advisory committee on human genome editing. A former partner in a global private equity firm, Jamie sits on advisory boards for multiple biotechnology and other companies and helped establish and serves as Special Strategist to the WisdomTree BioRevolutionExchange Traded Fund (ticker: WDNA). He previously served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and with the United Nations in Cambodia.
Jamie appears regularly on national and international media and his syndicated columns and other writing in science, technology, and global affairs are featured in publications around the world. He holds a Ph.D. from Oxford, a law degree from Harvard, and an undergraduate degree from Brown and is an avid ironman triathlete and ultramarathon runner. Jamiemetzl.com
Author, Healthcare Futurist, and Geopolitical Expert
World-first - leading Neuroscientist Dr. Divya Chander speaks in the UAE for the first time ever. Neuroscience is on the cutting edge of decoding brains, making it possible like never before to peer into brains and hijack their circuitry. Divya is at the forefront of exploring how old and new technologies make it possible to read visions and dreams, hack thoughts, and plant false memories. Her expertise covers how modern medicine and science make it possible to restore and enhance function to people who are paralyzed, opening the door to digital and robotic control with the human mind. Divya takes us on a journey from brain reading to brain writing to closed-loop brain machine interface systems. She is working on devices that read and write the brain (brain mapping, neuromodulation) and link to brain machine interfaces for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Her work also crosses into studies of human longevity. There is no extended human lifespan without the preservation of the brain and mind. Divya’s work includes the exploration of brain machine interfaces, cryonics, the consideration of human augmentation and its effect on consciousness and human evolution and the potential to recognize consciousness in non-human entities. She has also been modeling the effect of AI and embodied AI in the consciousness space, defining its risk landscape and strategies to mitigate risk
MD, PhD, Neuroscientist, Physician, Medical Futurist
Head of Software Engineering & Development, Ministry of State Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office (UAE)
Dr. Al Kuwaiti was appointed by the Cabinet as the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government since 2020. As the Head of Cyber Security, his mandate includes responsibilities as the Chairman of the UAE Cyber Security Council as well as Managing Director of the National Data Centre under the Supreme Council for National Security. As the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government by investiture, Dr. Al Kuwaiti has legal authority over all aspects pertaining to securing the cyberspace for the entire Nation. In his current role, Dr. Al Kuwaiti is tasked with the responsibility of charting the cyber security strategy for the Nation that not only equips the UAE to enter the digital era with capabilities to deal with the new threat landscape exacerbated by the pandemic, but also ensures UAE’s leadership in cyber security globally; towards establishing the UAE as the world’s leading trusted digital hub and supporting the Nation’s digital transformation agenda and the digital future of all residents who made UAE their home. Towards that end, he leads the Council to outline an implementation plan to protect the UAE cyberspace through emerging technologies such as Cloud, Big Data and AI in a whole-of-government approach coordinating and orchestrating efforts between Emirates and government entities via a unified platform built and managed by the Council. Under Dr. Al Kuwaiti’s leadership, the UAE has advanced 42 positions in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, rising to the 5th place globally from 47th in the previous assessment. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has also led UAE to many firsts, including Guinness World Records for having the most users in a cyber capture the flag (CTF) competition, the largest bug bounty competition and the largest cyber drill; all initiatives that aim at capacity building in cyber security and improving the technical competencies of cyber security professionals and enthusiasts. More importantly, he has been instrumental in advocating for realizing the value of cyber security by demonstrating cyber security as a critical business enabler. Since 2021, Dr. Al Kuwaiti plays the role of an ambassador for collaboration between the government and cyber agencies, helping to bridge the discussion between the two major stakeholders in the digital economy. Under his chaperone, key public-private partnerships were established between the UAE Cyber Security Council and leading local and international cyber security organizations with the goal of making a positive contribution to the UAE cyber agenda and be a major force that will benefit the global cyber security industry. Additionally, bilateral agreements established with countries both within the region and across the world contributed towards mutual information sharing, capacity development and legal assistance aid treaties, all key outcomes as a result of the National Cyber Security Strategy that he has put in place to realize the vision of the UAE for the next 50 years. Underscoring the UAE’s leadership in cyber security on a global stage under Dr. Kuwaiti’s tutelage, UAE plays a pivotal role in the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre with UAE being elected as the Vice Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Computer Emergency Response Team to respond to cyber emergencies during the 10th Regional Cybersecurity Week for Arab Countries and OIC Member States in 2022. UAE also co-chairs the Information Sharing Committee in the White House Counter Ransomware Initiative, a coalition of 37 international partners. His contributions to accelerate the cyber security maturity of the Nation and fostering a vibrant cyber security ecosystem in the UAE have been recognized in multiple forums, including the (ISC)² Government Professional Award for EMEA. Dr. Al Kuwaiti also sits on the Boards of the UAE Council for Digital Wellbeing, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Federal Geographic Information Center and is on the Advisory Committees of the College of Information Technology under United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC) under Khalifa University. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor under the Homeland Security Program at Rabdan Academy and a visiting lecturer on Cyber Security at universities such as Khalifa University and National Defense College in Abu Dhabi. Prior to his current appointments, Dr. Al Kuwaiti was with the National Electronic Security Authority in various appointments and capacity since 2013 where he was most recently the Executive Director of Government Operations managing National and International government relations. He had served as the Chief Technical Analyst at the Ministry of Interior where he had held other positions, such as Operations Director and CTO of the Counter Terrorism Center. Dr. Al Kuwaiti started his 20 year-long career as a Defense, Air, and Naval Military Attaché with the Embassy of The United Arab Emirates based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has published numerous papers and keynoted at many conferences such as IEEE, RSA, Cyber Warfare Europe, Tele Strategies, ISS World MEA, IDEX, International Anti-Cyber Crimes Conference and Future War Summit. He is a highly sought after speaker internationally and has provided the main keynote address for more than 50 international, regional, and national cybersecurity events such as GITEX, GISEC and the World Government Summit, and has presented the UAE Cyber Security Framework at INTERPOL Global Cyberspace and Cybercrime Complex located in Singapore. Dr. Al Kuwaiti holds a Doctorate in Computer Engineering and Network Security from George Washington University in the U.S. and a master’s degree in Telecommunications and Computer Networks. He also holds a M.A. degree in International and Civil Security. Dr. Al Kuwaiti is an honorable member of the Society of Engineers, IEEE Society, Golden Key National Honor Society and Computer Society. His research interests are detecting, monitoring and responding to cyber warfare, network forensics, corporate governance & processes, and national cyber policy.
Head of Cyber Security
United Arab Emirates Government
Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem Al Zaabi
Director Digital Transformation - Cyber Security - AI Expert, Government of Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem Al Zaabi is a renowned expert in Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security. He holds some of the most prestigious and globally recognized security certifications, showcasing his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
At present, he serves as the Director of Digital Transformation, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence at the Government of Abu Dhabi (UAE) and is also the President of the KU Alumni Council.
In this capacity, he plays a key role in shaping and implementing strategies to enhance the digital landscape and ensure robust cybersecurity measures for the government
Director Digital Transformation - Cyber Security - AI Expert
Government of Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Dr. Salim Al Shualili is a dedicated professional with expertise in eGovernment planning and business development. Passionate about technology, he excels in transforming services into eServices and mServices. His adaptability and collaborative skills shine across diverse domains, reflecting a commitment to continuous growth and excellence in achieving objectives.
Director, AI & Advanced Technologies Projects Unit
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology - Oman
With over 19 years of experience in Information Technology, Ali Abdulla Al Sadadi serves as the Chief of Information Technology at Bahrain's Ministry of Oil and Environment. A versatile professional, he excels in Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Digital Sustainability, and Cloud Transformation. Passionate about IT Service Management and proficient in applying ITIL concepts, Ali is dedicated to delivering significant value to his organization and Bahrain. Leveraging his extensive knowledge, he actively contributes to advancing and securing the digital landscape, ensuring a positive impact on both the organization and the nation.
Advisor
Ministry of Oil and Environment - Bahrain
• Data Science & AI Evangelist at AIslovakIA - National platform for the AI development in Slovakia
• Principal Data Scientist & President at GapData Institute
• AI Researcher/PhD. Candidate & Macroeconomist/MSc. by academic background and Consultant & Data Scientist by professional background (12+ years of consulting for clients from public & private sector)
• Data Science Polyglot (R, Python, Julia ++more) & Data Science Veteran (12+ years in this area/Data Science consulting & education)
• Specialities/Main area (hard skills): xAI (Explainable AI/ML), Econometrics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Bayesian Statistics, Deep Learning (AI/ML/DL), Ethics & Transparency in AI/ML, Economic Policy (monetary & fiscal), Data Vis, Quant. Analyses
• Member of British Computer Society (Member, #BCS) Slovak Economic Association (SEA), IEEE Computer Society (Member, #IEEE), Slovak.AI (#SlovakAI), CLAIRE, European AI Alliance & TAILOR network, AAAI, EurAI, AI4SK, ELLIS
• Evangelist of Open Data, Open Budget Initiative & Open Government Partnership, Signatory of Manifesto for Data Practices (Data & AI Ethics Values and Principles)
• Founder of PyData Slovakia/Bratislava (#PyDataSK #PyDataBA), R <- Slovakia (#RSlovakia), Julia Users Group Slovakia (#JUGSlovakia) & SK/CZ Tableau User Group (#skczTUG)• Data Science Instructor @ DataCamp, BaseCamp.ai, Skillmea, GapData• International Speaker @WeAreDevelopers (Berlin, 2023) @TAILOR (Brussels, 2023), @CODECON (Bratislava, 2023), @DATAcated (New York, 2022), @PyData (Hamburg, 2022), @ML Prague (2023, 2022), @Data Science Summit (Warsaw, 2021), @PyData (Hong Kong, 2021), @ODSC Europe (London, 2021), @WeAreDevelopers (WeAreDevsLIVE, 2021), @Data Science Conference (DSG 5.0, 2019), H2O.ai (Prague, 2019), @PyCon LT (PyData track, Vilnius, 2019), @VDSG (Linz, 2019), @TechSummit (Bratislava, 2017 & 2019), @OpenCamp (Bratislava, 2019) @PyData (Berlin, 2017)• Member of the global Tableau #DataLeader network (2017)
Data Science & AI Evangelist
AIslovakIA - National platform for the AI development in Slovakia
Ram Kumar is the Chief Data and Analytics Officer of Cigna’s International Markets where he is responsible for driving data and analytics strategy and its execution for 35+ countries covering The Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. He also the Head of Cigna Health Solutions India, COE for Cigna.
Ram has over 35+ years’ experience in industry and has held many executive roles namely, as CEO, CTO, CIO, Senior Consultant and as Chief Architect for global organizations and has managed teams in over 40 countries.
Ram commenced has over 28 years of solid background in Information Technology coupled with over 24 years’ experience in data strategy and execution. He has a strong basic and applied R&D background in AI and Machine learning and was actively involved in this field between 1986 and 2005, and has worked closely with some of the fathers/pioneers in this field. His first big data based advanced analytics/ML project was in 1992 for a large government organization in Australia. Ram served as a member of the Data Research Advisory Board of MIT Sloan School from 2016-2019. He spent over 16 years building open data standards under OASIS, a Global Standards Body and his standards have been implemented globally and notably by Google Maps.
Ram has published over 150 articles and is a regularly invited keynote speaker in conferences globally and has spoken extensively in about 400 industry events globally. Ram is recipient of several IT and Data related awards globally. His work has been published as chapters in books as global best practices. Ram serves as the advisor and executive committee member of MIT CDOIQ Symposium, the world’s biggest data event, as Member of the Global Editorial Board of the CDO Magazine and as the CDO Ambassador for Singapore, an initiative of CDO Magazine, MIT CDOIQ and Institute of CDOs.
Ram holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering with Artificial Intelligence as the major in both.
Chief Data and Analytics Officer
CIGNA
With over 25 years in IT, I'm a transformative leader leveraging technology strategically for business growth. As CIO at Ducab and Julphar, I directed successful technology strategy and implementation, staying ahead with certifications like PMP, CISSP, and TOGAF. Experienced in diverse sectors, including manufacturing and retail, I've implemented SAP, Oracle, Microsoft ERP, Salesforce, and Microsoft CRM. Pioneering Industry 4.0, I integrate ML & AI for operational excellence. My focus on team building and collaboration consistently delivers high-impact results, making me an invaluable asset for organizations seeking to enhance IT investments and business solutions.
Chief Information Officer
Dubai Cable Company (Ducab)
Robert has more than 20 years of experience in the investment making business.
He is heading Mashreq Capital as CEO and Head of Asset Management since 2017 and has been with the firm since 2011. As chairman of the Investment Committee he is steering the investment process, monitors investment activities and is managing dynamic active strategies.
He is also serving on the board of directors of the Gulf Capital Markets Association.
Robert started his career at the treasury of Dresdner Bank Lateinamerika AG managing EMD investments and subsequently held various roles in market risk management for financial start-ups.
Robert holds a master’s degree in Economics from University of Hamburg and is a CFA charter holder.
In 2020 Robert completed a post-graduate program from Columbia Engineering in Machine Learning and AI.
He is the founder of Algorada Tech a fintech company dedicated to software development for analytical tools and automation to enhance investment management processes.
CEO
Mashreq Capital
With 23 years of visionary leadership in digital transformation, Francis is a catalyst for operational excellence and revenue growth. As the former Director of Digital & Enterprise Solutions for the Alshaya Group, he established a Centre of Excellence, delivering 250+ successful projects and capturing millions in business value. Francis led transformative initiatives at Louis Vuitton, increasing sales by 20% through innovative IS strategies. His expertise encompasses enterprise solutions, digital strategy, e-commerce, and multicultural team management. A strategic thinker and collaborator, Francis is poised for continued success in shaping the digital landscape and driving global business innovation.
Group Chief Information Officer
DAMAC
Track record of leading Digital Transformation for small to large Organizations and setting them apart in the Digital Experience Economy by overhauling Customer Journeys, growing revenue and reducing acquisition cost. Known for leveraging disruptive technologies and analytic-based knowledge of consumer behaviors/needs to spur tremendous growth. Admired for building, mentoring, and inspiring elite, customer-focused teams across professional disciplines. Expert in acquiring, retaining, and monetizing revenue through Digital Channels.
Summary of Accomplishments:
Track record of saving large organizations up to $65 Million in QA and Digital Development spend; Track Record of zero breach on customer facing Digital Enterprise Applications; Successful Data Center and Application Migrations to cloud with a complete overhaul to Industry Standards; Track record of successfully implementing Digital Industry Best Practices (AGILE, SCRUM, MicroServices, DevOps, Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery);
Developed teams as large as 500 Onshore and Offshore; Planned, Budgeted, Executed and Closed projects with budgets as much as $35 Million / Year; Established a Quality Assurance and Service Integration COE with standardized Process, Documentation, and Reports; Developed innovative testing methodologies for Application Testing, Mobile Testing, Infrastructure Testing and Application Performance Management Testing; Developed Reporting Strategy for Business to make informed decisions: Automated QA Status Report alignment with PMO, Monthly Operational Reports, Governance Reports – KPI / SLA reports linked to Requirements for every Project
Established a successful PMO, Development, QA, ITSM, and Release Management Center of Excellence
CTO
Virgin Mobile
Abdallah Abu Sheikh is an international entrepreneur who has founded several companies, and currently sits as Astra Tech's Founder and CEO of Botim. His international success in the business realm is shaped by his diverse cultural background, strong educational acumen, and relentless ambition. Abdallah has addressed tech market saturation by creating an Ultra App, through Botim, that simplifies the everyday lives of more than 150 million users across MENA. Inspired
by a life-altering accident, making the Forbes 30 under 30 list twice, he is committed to compassionate leadership and the merging of diverse talents to breed organizational success.
ABDALLAH ABU SHEIKH Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim
George is a forward-thinking Information Technology and operations executive leader with over 25 years of international experience growing the business and achieving set goals, driving digital innovation and improving service delivery, developing and integrating IT organizations, designing and leading transformation initiatives, workflow optimization, and process improvement at large integrated academic healthcare delivery systems and research centers.
An innovative business leader with demonstrated achievements in transforming operations to produce better patient outcomes, and enhanced internal users’ experiences while reducing operating costs.
I have successfully led "SEHA" to achieve HIMSS-Analytics Level 6 at all 12 hospitals of the health system (the first hospital in the GCC in 2012 and the first health system in Asia then).
Certified Healthcare Chief Information Officer (CHCIO) by CHIME.
Group Chief Information Officer
Burjeel Holdings
Kartik Bhatt is a seasoned omnichannel business leader with over 22 years of expertise in PNL management, operational leadership, retail strategy, and digital transformation. With extensive experience spanning across Ecommerce and Brick N Mortar Retail in Adventure, Fashion, and Duty-Free sectors across GCC, South East Asia, and India, Kartik has a proven track record of success. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded Fashionara.com, a venture-funded Ecommerce startup in India, and played a pivotal role in its growth. Kartik has also spearheaded the development of large-scale marketplaces, led global business development initiatives, and provided strategic guidance to retailers. A passionate blogger and keynote speaker, Kartik Bhatt brings a wealth of experience to his role as Chief Digital Officer at Sony.
Chief Digital Officer
SONY
Veneeth has over two decades of experience in leading technology enablement and transformation across Retail, Education and Healthcare sectors. Prior to joining Aster DM Healthcare, he was the CIO of Fortis Healthcare. An ISB-Kellogg School of Management Alumni and a certified Healthcare CIO (CIOH) and a board member and joint secretary at CHIME India Chapter.
He is a CIO – Hall of Fame honoree and was conferred the Images Most Admired CIO of the year – Retail in 2015 by the Images Retail Organization. He is also awarded India’s Top 50 CIO’s by CIO Associations of India.
Group Chief Information Officer
Aster DM Healthcare
Mohamad Charafeddine leads Careem’s mobility platform and oversees product management functions covering the Captain, Marketplace, and Trust and Safety products. Prior to taking up the Vice President of Product role, he led Careem’s engineering teams for the mobility of people, things, infrastructure, data and AI.
In addition to having previously worked at Samsung as a director leading the applied AI research and development team – where he successfully built the first enterprise AI platform for Reinforcement Learning and Deep Learning at scale – Mohamad was also part of the Core Machine Learning (ML) team for Business Integrity at Facebook in Menlo Park, United States, tasked with classifying and managing advertising content across Facebook and Instagram.
Vice President of Product
Careem
As the founding Head of AI at Krutrim, Chandra Khatri is shaping India's AI landscape, crafting a comprehensive stack from chips to AI cloud. Focused on India's linguistic diversity, he strives to bridge urban and grassroots communities through multimodal, multilingual models. Chandra recently led the creation of "Krutrim," the world's first India-centric multilingual LLM, outperforming global models in an Indian context. Prior, he founded Got-It AI, a conversational AI pioneer, and played a pivotal role at Amazon, Uber, and eBay, leading teams and creating the Alexa Prize. Beyond product development, he invests in innovative tech companies like ThirdAI and Optivolt.
Head of AI
Ola Krutrim
Matthew Chavira is a resourceful leader with a deep passion for the field of artificial intelligence. As the founder of Prophets of AI, a representation agency for individuals who have made significant contributions in the AI and robotics fields, Matthew has curated a diverse lineup of industry-leading experts and government leaders who are shaping the future of AI development. This platform aims to be a world-leading resource for knowledge and inspiration in connection to AI's artistic and ethical development and represents individuals featured in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential in AI (Stephanie Dinkins and Sougwen Chung)
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Matthew holds an executive position at Hanson Robotics, the company behind the world-famous Sophia the Robot, where he oversees all of Sophia's live appearances, orchestrating impactful performances that explore the potential of AI and the interactions between humans and machines.
Furthermore, Matthew is also the Global Director of AI Partnerships at the International Advertising Association (IAA), an 85-year-old institution that stands as the global compass for the marketing communications industry. In this role, Matthew connects companies that align with the IAA’s principles of building high-value brands with its thought leadership, educational programs, and world-class events.
With a deep belief in AI's transformative power to make the world a better place, Matthew is dedicated to driving conversations and focus toward the developments shaping the future of this rapidly evolving field. Through each role, Matthew is committed to advancing AI and fostering collaboration among experts, artists, and enthusiasts."
CEO - Prophets of AI
Head of Strategic Partnerships - Hanson Robotics
Mr. Awad Ahmed Ali El-Sidiq (Award Winner of Cheif Data Officer and Best AI use case Implementation for Energy and Utilities Sector 2022 & Winner Oracle Worldwide DBA Excellence Award for EMEA Region 2013 at Open World) is the Head of Artificial intelligence & Analytics at ADNOC Distribution – U.A.E and SIG Director of Oracle Engineered Systems for Middle East Oracle User Group and member in Datawarehouse – Big Data - AI Worldwide Leader Program.
With more than 15 years of IT Industry experience in architecting and managing large enterprise Database Applications and Advance Analytics Solutions for delivering services to more than 10,000 users and millions of customers across all ADNOC Distribution businesses.
Pioneer in Implementing BI & Advance Analytics (AI/ML) Solutions in Oil and Gas industry in Middle East & Africa region (MEA). His dedication and initiatives has been recognized globally.
Head of Artificial Intelligence and Analytics
ADNOC Distribution
With a master's degree in international economic relations and a track record of working with Forbes 2000 companies, I bring 6 years of experience in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. As an International Speaker, I have empowered audiences worldwide to embrace innovation and thrive in the digital age. As a Digital Transformation expert, I assist Fortune 500 companies in creating seamless customer experiences through innovative solutions like AI, Intelligent Automation, Data Science and Omnichannel CX.
Regional Transformational Manager, EMEA & Global GenAI Expert
Teleperformance
Dr. Doaa Taha is the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, the US’ fastest growing STEM university, in its Dubai Global Hub Campus, and is the Program Lead for its Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and Data Science Program where she is also a Professor and Researcher in the US home campus, leading the inception of its Women in STEM program (the WISER Institute – Women in Science, Engineering and Research). She is an entrepreneur having led a number of global business portfolios, as Managing Director and Board Co-Chair of global boutique Strategic Advisory Services (woman owned minority) firm Grey Matter LLC (Washington D.C., USA). Doaa is a Civil Society Leader as Chair of ADC Women’s Empowerment Forum;she is the National Board Secretary of the ADC (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee). She serves on the Advisory Committee of Women Forward International, an institutional partnership promoting women’s rights to advance humanity through research on real world solutions integrating cultural parameters. A George Washington University Doctoral Alum in Engineering. Doaa is a published researcher, author, co-editor, and peer reviewer, on a number of Academic and Professional areas of endeavor. Doaa is a member of leading STEM global societies and a number of other professional and civil society associations (IEEE, WDC-WPN, USCC, IIBA, INFORMS, etc.). Dr. Taha was knighted, in 2023, as a Dame of the Knighthood of the Order of Parte Guelfa, in Florence, Italy, one of the world’s oldest and most prominent Knighthoods and Confraternities focused on environmental protection: she was knighted for her work in strategic and applied technology research and sustainability in the service of humanity.
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology-Dubai
Speaker Bio: Valerie Hawley, Executive Director of the Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence, spearheads its mission to advance AI capabilities in the Middle East. Tasked with positioning SCAI as a premier education and research provider, she focuses on revenue generation and client satisfaction. With an MSc in Optical Engineering and dual MBAs, Valerie boasts a robust academic background. Her 15+ years of experience include entrepreneurship, leadership at HEC Paris, Head of Innovation at Daman, and strategic consulting at KPMG. A general partner at True Global Ventures, Valerie is a thought leader, mentor, and board member, fostering innovation and tech ecosystems in the UAE.
Executive Director
Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI)
Dr. Thierry Lestable is the Chief Researcher at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, heading Telecom (B5G/6G) & Cybersecurity Units within the Artificial Intelligence & Digital Science Research Center (AIDRC). With over 25 years of experience in Telecom, Mobility, and Energy industries, he has led innovation in technologies like Generative AI, mMIMO, and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface. Dr. Lestable, a former Executive Director of AIDRC, also served as Director at Sagemcom, where he played a key role in e-Mobility & Automotive Business and Industrial IoT Business Development. He holds an Engg. Degree and Ph.D. from Supélec, France, and has authored numerous publications and patents.
Chief Researcher
Technology Innovation Institute (TII)
With over 25 years in technology leadership, academia, and hands-on development, Cristian is a seasoned professional. His diverse experience spans corporate roles, startup development, and angel investments. Concurrently, he served as an Artificial Intelligence Teaching Associate at Polytechnics University of Bucharest UPB, shaping future AI professionals.
CEO
AQUASoft
Amar is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of expertise in Capital Markets (Fixed Income) including in the Web3 space gained through hands-on experience over 7+ years.
She is a trailblazer in the Hong Kong tech scene, pioneering the introduction of AI chatbots on a trading floor in 2018.
In early 2022, Cinderella relocated from HK to Dubai to spearhead the development of Matrixport.
She is a GP at Glass Ventures, the first Web4 Venture Capital Firm.
Amar is a sought-after speaker, moderator and MC at blockchain conferences worldwide. She is educated in Business, Political Science, Fintech and Psychology at top universities and a tech evangelist at heart
Managing Partner
Glass Ventures
nvited to more than 150+ events as keynote speaker across 78 countries
Global Futurist, Futures foresight and scenatios planning expert, Forward thinker, Strategists, AI Global Expert, Technologist, Innovator, Exponential Technology evangelist, Trends and Tech watcher, Smart (Future) Cities Expert, Digital innovation Expert, Digital Transformation Expert, Industrial Revolution 4.0 and 5.0 Expert, Singularity expert, Global speaker, Social Media influencer, Author, TroubleMaker, Digital Disruptor, and world traveler.
QAD Director
University of Buraimi
Miguel is an ICT executive with over 30 years of international experience. He is the COO of e& enterprise, the digital transformation arm of e&. He looks after business and operations across all its solutions portfolio, ranging from datacenters and multi-cloud services to AI enabled business solutions and customer experience platforms.
Previously he served 8 years as the CEO of Emitac enterprise Solutions, one of the leading regional Systems Integrator, based in Dubai, where he led a successful transformation from a traditional Value-Added Reseller to a vibrant Solutions and Services firm with a growing focus on Cloud, Big Data and Security.
Prior to Emitac, Miguel was one of the founders and managing partners of Swissrisk Group, a European software services company that grew from zero to more than 1,000 professionals in less than 7 years. Miguel started his career in Hewlett Packard Consulting where he spent 10 years.
Miguel holds a Masters in Computer Science and an Executive MBA by IE – Instituto de Empresa in Madrid.
COO
e& enterprise
Sven is a consumer-focused engineering leader who functions as the Chief Technology Officer at talabat. He enjoys building highly effective teams by acquiring the right talent through hiring or development, which produces the ideal structures that enable teams to move fast and develop successful products and organizations. Additionally, he has extensive experience in developing large-scale consumer-facing products and security-sensitive government systems. Sven was previously the Director of Engineering at Careem.
CTO
Talabat
As Chief Technology Officer at Astra Tech, Hassan Al Noon spearheads the company’s Artificial Intelligence and Robotics efforts. Venturing into tech with an
education journey into information security, Hassan recognized the transformative potential and impact of information security. He subsequently pursued advanced
studies, where he specialized in information security, before securing a Masters degree in security, cryptology, and coding of information systems from the National School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics of Grenoble. He has leveraged this knowledge to shape the trajectory of technological advancement in his professional career with stints at the Emirate Advanced Investment Group, and Multiverse Innovation. Notably he contributed to UAE’s esteemed National Experts Program (NEP), which is aimed at professional development via a comprehensive mentoring, tailored learning, and in-field training opportunities, where he plays his role to the nation’s prosperity.
CTO
AstraTech | Botim
#1 Winner of MIT Challenge (knowledge-economy) & #1 Google Ranked AI Ecosystem Builder Expert. Joseph Wehbe, an American artificial intelligence ecosystem builder & entrepreneur. He received an artificial intelligence master's degree, and training under a Canadian Govt program where the AI research center of excellence that recognized his degree has Prof. Geoffrey Hinton (the Godfather of AI) as the Chief Scientific Advisor. Joseph believes there’s a demand for a generation of workers skilled in AI, and it’s his mission to build that. Joseph hosts webinars for the Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs and is the global VP Community for the Harvard Business School Alumni Angels. An ambassador for Stanford Women in Data Science.
Expert Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Building, World Economic Forum AI & Entrepreneurship Expert Website and PP
Peter Larnholt, a seasoned technology luminary and the current CIO at du, brings over two decades of transformative leadership. With a strategic tenure of 3 years and 4 months at du, Peter has steered the company into the digital future. Prior to this, he founded xformate AB, showcasing his entrepreneurial prowess, and Singular42, reflecting his quest for technological singularity. Peter's impactful journey includes pivotal roles at Millicom and Yoigo, and diverse positions at TeliaSonera, Ericsson, and Casares.com. His dynamic career spans marketing, IT consultancy, and visionary pursuits, positioning him as a stalwart in the ever-evolving tech landscape
Chief Information Officer
du
Dr Chris Cooper is an accomplished ICT professional with over 25 years of experience in the technology sector. Dr Cooper has held leadership, sales, and
business development positions with several renowned technology multinationals in the UAE, UK, and the EMEA region, including strategic roles to build regional operations and presence.
Dr Cooper brings a diverse range of capabilities to AIQ, including business
analysis, team management, and business strategy. As a business leader, Dr
Cooper has a proven track record of successfully applying strategic insight and
innovation to drive growth and build market share and recognition. His ICT
expertise spans multiple domains, including cloud computing, artificial
intelligence, high-performance computing (HPC), data centers, enterprise
technology, and life sciences. His proficiency in navigating the complexities of
these cutting-edge fields contributes to his success in steering organizations
toward innovation, efficiency, and strategic excellence.
As the new CEO of AIQ, Dr Cooper is tasked with guiding the company into its
next phase of growth, leveraging its innovative product portfolio of AI solutions
for industry to target opportunities in new markets and industries. Dr Cooper
will also focus on strengthening existing partnerships for AIQ and forming new
alliances, collaborating with global technology leaders, systems integration, and
platform partners.
Dr Cooper’s career began at HP, and his career includes five years at Lenovo and
nearly 12 years at IBM. Most recently he was Regional Director for the Middle
East & North Africa at Citrix.
A multilingual professional, Dr Cooper is proficient in English, French, German,
and Spanish. Dr Cooper has a PhD in Physics, Electronics, and Materials Science
from the University of Dundee, UK, and a BSc in Theoretical Physics from the
University of East Anglia
Director Digital Transformation - Cyber Security - AI Expert
AIQ
Saravan Penubarthi is a highly experienced and versatile Chief Technology Officer with
expertise driving global digital transformations across various industry verticals. He has
a proven track record of delivering innovative technology strategies and solutions and
executing cloud initiatives across multiple industries. With a strong background in
digital innovation and execution, Saravan is adept at aligning and collaborating with IT
and business stakeholders to drive revenue improvements and efficiency enhancements
through adopting innovative digital business models.
Before joining AIQ, Saravan was the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft in the APAC
region and was responsible for driving the company's cloud initiatives and developing the
overall IT digital strategy and execution. He led a diverse team of engineers, architects,
and project managers and served as the Chief Technology Advisor for CxOs and the board
in the region. He has also previously led digital technology partnerships and was
responsible for driving digital transformation initiatives across several organizations.
Saravan has held several leadership positions throughout his career, including as a cloud
consulting team leader for DXC (erstwhile CSC), global consulting services lead for Asia
Pacific and Japan for Software AG Singapore, and enterprise integration practice lead for
HCL Technologies in India.
Saravan earned his Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from Jawaharlal Nehru
Technological University in Hyderabad, India.
CTO
AIQ
With extensive international experience in IT leadership roles across Asia Pacific and the Middle East within large MNCs and FMCG organizations, Uzair has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead multicultural teams and spearhead multi-million dollar digital transformation initiatives. Uzair specializes in leveraging AI/ML, data analytics, process automation, and other digital capabilities to enhance consumer engagement, sales effectiveness, Supply Chain and back office efficiency. Known for a passion for fostering high-performing teams, Muhammad has notably established data analytics capabilities across 22 countries in BAT Asia Pacific. Beyond work, Muhammad is dedicated to promoting education for the underprivileged, further enriching his professional profile.
CIO
PepsiCo Middle East
Kamran Ahsan, with professional experience of over 25 years, brings demonstrated achievements in building, transforming and accelerating business plans by propelling technological, financial and people performance. He offers a unique combination of technology and business acumen with a credible track-record in serving public and private sectors and service provider organizations in UAE, Canada and Pakistan.
In his current role in e& enterprise, Kamran is tasked with establishing and running the AI & Smart Data Business where he is building capabilities around people, platforms, processes, portfolio and partnerships. The business is geared for delivering verticalized Secured AI Solutions with faster time to value.
A senior leader in e& enterprise since 2014, Kamran has successfully built the Digital Security business from ground-up, commercially accelerated the practice in three years and played a key role in a strategic acquisition resulted in multi-fold growth in revenue with market share of 25%.
In 2020, he served as a CTO of UAE Trade Connect (UTC), UAE's first SME lending fraud prevention system co-created with leading banks in the country. Under this responsibility, he and his team built technology, security and operations units. UTC was successfully launched in April 2021.
Kamran earned a Masters in Applied Science (MASc.) degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Toronto, Canada in 2002. He is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) from EC Council, a Certified Payment Card Industry Security Implementer (CPISI), holds professional certifications in ISO (ISO 27001 Lead Auditor) and IT Governance (COBIT) and a graduate of e& Senior Leadership program, GOLD.
As a thought leader, Kamran has been a keynote speaker on Digital Transformation with emphasis on AI & Data and Cyber Security in domestic and international conferences.
Senior Director
Smart Data for AI Smart Data Solutions Business, e& enterprise
Established professional with 15 years of diversified global banking experience in Retail, Wealth, Transactional and Challenger Bank.
Covering Marketing, Risk, Collection, Wealth, FX, CRM, Investment,Leverage Product, Credit cards & credit Bureau , Digital Analytics, Social Media.
Presently I am spearheading analytics for 6 banking verticals includes Private, Wealth, Priority, Commercial , Emirati, and Digital Bank, covering Strategy, AI, Modeling, Digital Engagement, Analytics, Performance Deck, Reporting & data Architect at Mashreq Bank (UAE).
New team setup for Private, Commercial ,Wealth Analytics, Investment, and Insurance Product Analytics, Customer Analytics, campaign Analytics, CLV, loss forecasting, mortgage analytics, Risk and collection analytics, credit cards Analytics, bureau analytics, Digital Analytics, Agile, Digital Banking and Project Management.
Moreover, I am tech-savvy with proven excellence in SAS, E-miner, Hadoop, MS, Power BI, Python,Big Data, SQL, Machine Learning, Scoring, Segmentation, CDP, Neo4g, and Behavioral Study
VP, Strategy, Analytics & Data Science - Wealth, Digital and Business Banking, Mashreq Bank
With over 15 years of experience, Yuri Berchenko is a tech-savvy business development professional with an extensive knowledge of media, music and digital entertainment sectors. He currently leads YouTube’s Product Partnerships efforts across the expansion markets of Europe, Middle East and Turkey. Prior to taking up the Head of Partnerships role, he led Google’s business with the Retail and E-commerce vertical in Russia with deep focus on developing and integrating AI & ML technologies to segmentation and automation. Yuri started his career at Kearney, a US-based global management consulting company, where he helped large companies to build digital capabilities. Yuri studied Digital Economy in Vienna University of Economics and Business and holds a Master's degree in International Relations from Plekhanov University of Economics.
Head of Partnerships
YouTube Music + Premium
President & Co-Founder
DDN
Vice President
DDN
Kader holds a PhD degree in Physics from Valladolid University (Spain). He has over 23+ years of experience in ICT / Digital, Data and Analytics, working in different position on Digital transformation, Business intelligence technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, e-Government and Educational Technologies.
He is considered as an International and multicultural leader with an extensive experience in business management, innovation in digital services, disruptive business models and growth strategies combined with a strong commercial, financial and technical background.
He is participating in Developing and executing Data strategy to leverage emerging technologies such as AI and Machine Learning as a strategic competitive advantage
He has a master degree in Management and Business Administration from Madrid University.
Currently he is leading the Artificial Intelligence and Smart Data practice in e& enterprise.
HEAD OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SMART DATA
e& enterprise
Ritesh merges his background in education with a keen interest in technology, He explores how innovation can make learning more engaging and effective. He's had the privilege of sharing insights on integrating tech into educational spaces through several platforms, including workshops and articles.
He actively engages in discussions and forums to keep updated with the latest in EdTech. His goal is to help educators understand and adapt to new technologies, ensuring they harness them to enhance their teaching practices.
With experience in both education and technology sectors, He's always open to connecting with individuals who value the intersection of these domains. Let's share, learn, and grow together
Chief Digital & Innovation Officer
Gems Education
Mr. Manish Gurnani is an accomplished leader in the field of Information Technology and Services, boasting over 23 years of expertise. Backed by a robust entrepreneurial foundation, he holds a PGDM in Finance from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. As the CTO of a publicly listed company, he worked on various complex projects, such as architecting a highly scalable Microservices application that catered to a 100-million user base and processed billions of transactions. He also oversaw the development and productionalization of a Predictive Analytics ML model for deployment in the Healthcare domain. With a strong foundation in AI/ML, Big Data, Cloud Technologies, and Solution Architecture, Mr. Manish Gurnani brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. He has worked with Fortune 5 renowned clients and successfully built impactful AI models as per their business needs. His extensive background in these cutting-edge technologies allows him to spearhead innovation and drive growth at Ksolves.
CTO
Ksolves India Limited
Dana Alomar is a journalist known for her expertise in technology reporting. Currently serving as The National's technology reporter. Prior to her role at The National, Dana held the position of senior technology, media, telecom, and health reporter at CNN Business Arabic, and business reporter at Arab News, contributing significantly to both publications’ coverage of key economic and business developments.
Dana's journey in journalism began during her time as an intern at Zawya by Refinitiv, focusing on business news in the UAE and gaining invaluable insights into the regional business landscape. She further expanded her expertise during her internship at Esquire Middle East, where she delved into a diverse range of topics including technology, hospitality, and fashion.
Dana's contributions to journalism extend beyond her written work, as she has also made a mark as an on-camera journalist for CNN Business Arabic. Her interviews with notable figures such as Frederic Moll, the Founder of the da Vinci Surgical Systems, Physics Guru Michio Kaku, CEO of Astratech & BOTIM Super App Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Director of the Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health Department of the World Health Organization Maria Neira, Saudi Princess Lamia Bint Al Saud, and other prominent personalities have showcased her ability to engage with diverse subjects and deliver compelling stories to her audience.
A graduate of the American University of Sharjah, Dana holds a major in mass communication with a concentration in journalism, and a minor in history.
Technology Reporter
The National News
Senior Presenter
CNN Business Arabic
With a career extending over 15 years, I have played a strategic role in enhancing digital services across various sectors, culminating in my current position at the forefront of government innovation. As Director of Software Engineering & QA Department at Digital Dubai, I apply my skills to bolster our technological framework. I've been privileged to lead initiatives like the Dubai AI project, furthering our smart city capabilities. My experience as Product Manager for UAEPass was integral to advancing our nation’s digital identity services. My professional path is characterized by a series of leadership roles that have enabled me to contribute to the digital evolution, always with a focus on future-ready government initiatives.
Director of Software Engineering & QA Department, Digital Dubai
Kevin Raham Soltani, a blockchain strategist, founded GIMA Group and GIMA Labs in 2015, focusing on blockchain, gaming, property tech, and web 3.0 assets. Beginning as a crypto miner in 2011, he established Bit Rig Builders, sold in 2015. GIMA Group advised 50+ blockchain projects and established the California Blockchain Alliance. In 2020, he exited GIMA Esports, founding Semper Fortis Esports, listed on the London Stock Exchange. With a BS in Finance from the University of San Francisco, he prioritizes GIMA Group's growth, holding 4 tech exits and 1 gaming IPO. Kevin is an avid investor, advisor, and speaker across 22 countries and prestigious platforms like WEF and TEDx.
CEO - GIMA Group
Managing Partner - Orthogonal Global Group
A Senior Transformation Consultant at Dubai Police, where I lead and support strategic initiatives, program management, and project delivery across various domains, such as digital government, IA, 7 star service, EPM, smart city solutions, social influence, Future Readiness and agile maturity capacity building. I have more than 25 years of experience in civil engineering, Global business development, market strategy, business analysis, global trends, Transformation & Change Management, and benchmarking in 12 countries across the MENA region.
I hold a DBA in Responsive Smart City and Data Science, an MBA from the University of Wales, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama, and 32 international certificates in various fields related to Quality, Project/Program/Portfolio Management, Digital Transformation, Change Management, Management Consulting, and Emerging Technologies.
I am passionate about helping build Future Ready productive people and organizations by leveraging Metaverse, Digital Twins, Conversational AI, and Web3. I have won several team and innovation awards for my contributions and achievements.
Senior Transformation Consultant
Dubai Police HQ
Vivek Sharma was appointed as Acting Chief Financial Officer of e& enterprise in August 2022.
His key mandates are to deliver strategic financial direction to e& enterprise, oversee financial performance across e& enterprise and its subsidiaries, and to enable the financial carve-out of e& enterprise from e& Group.
Since his appointment, Vivek has created an entirely new Finance department. He is heavily involved in M&A activities that are aimed at enabling regional expansion and delivering profitable revenue growth for the Group. From the inception of e& enterprise, Vivek has been involved in the successful completion of two key projects: the acquisition of Smartworld which was fundamental to augmenting the capabilities of the IoT & AI business unit, and the joint venture with Bespin Global which will lead to the creation of a regional managed services cloud provider.
Prior to his appointment as Acting CFO, Vivek was Senior Director for Business Analysis & Performance in the B2B division of etisalat by e& (formerly Etisalat UAE) for 7 years. In this role, he established a Pricing Office that improved financial and commercial discipline, supported significant digital revenue growth and was instrumental in driving and delivering cost efficiency targets.
Before joining e&, he held multiple senior Finance positions at Vodafone Group, based in London.
CFO
e& enterprise
Rashid is the Technology unit head of EngageX the Cloud Communication and Customer
engagement solution unit of e& enterprise regionally with a focus on UAE and KSA.
Rashid is an accomplished executive professional with over 15 years of experience in different
dynamic domains of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Customer Experience. He
has worked in several organizational functions including CX Digital Transformation, Artificial
Intelligence, Cloud Communication Operations, Mobile Network Optimization, and Network
Performance. Rashid has a multi-skilled background in technical and non-technical skills in digital
areas such as Cloud Communications, Conversational and Generative AI.
Throughout his career, Rashid has achieved several milestones including the Middle East Technology
Excellence Award 2022 in ICT Technology, Best Business Line Award in e& enterprise 2021, and the
Best Network Operation Center Award in e& for 2018. Rashid has been shortlisted for several
innovative projects such as the Optimized building A/C project for the U.K. Telecom award 2017.
As a head of EngageX Technology at e& enterprise, Rashid is responsible for defining and leading
the implementation of long-term strategic EngageX CPaaS technology roadmap. He is also
responsible for the common foundational technology strategy for the EngageX as well as planning,
development, and operations function of EngageX technology. Rashid's key goals include expanding
globally and ensuring availability in different regions, improving software delivery efficiency, product
resiliency, and optimizing compute and network costs as well as growing and managing a global
engineering team.
Prior to this role, Rashid was leading Messaging & Retail IoT Operations at Etisalat by e&, where he
was responsible for leading a team of Digital Channels and IoT network operation personnel that
provide end-end support for a managed network state of art services offering. He was responsible for
managing & leading a team that owns all aspects of the restoration and support processes required
for the customers that Interface provides a broad set of managed Digital Channels and IoT network
services.
Rashid holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) from the University of
Sharjah. And a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Computer Engineering from Khalifa University. And
currently he is preparing his PhD in MIS.
Director CX & Cloud Communication Technology
e& enterprise
Christian Gleich is the ambassador of the European Blockchain Association and well-known as a consultant and international speaker on topics related to blockchain, web3, tokenization and the metaverse. His focus over the last 25 years has been on the specific development of digital use cases and business models as well as their monetization. In various leadership positions, the digital expert led innovative projects for Samsung, Nike as well as NASA. He also holds the Guinness® World Record for the largest product launch of all time - streamed from the international space station (ISS). Right now he is focusing on tokenization for companies of different industries.
International Ambassador
European Blockchain Association
Head of Digital Policy, Middle East & Africa
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Karine, also known as Kay, boasts an extensive 20-year tenure in Investment Banking. Her career highlights include leading Fixed Income sales teams at prestigious firms such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and RBS. Her expertise in this field is augmented by her diverse international exposure, having been based in key financial hubs like Paris, London, and Singapore.
In 2015, Kay embraced her entrepreneurial spirit, venturing into the wellbeing industry by founding a successful business. This pivot marked a significant transition in her professional journey. Three years later, in 2018, she further expanded her horizons by joining IOV (Internet of Values), a pioneering blockchain-protocol start-up, as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of Investor Relations.
In 2020, Kay had the opportunity to join SGH Capital, a Paris-based Venture Capital firm, focusing on early-stage Blockchain Infrastructure companies in the US and in Europe. This role allowed her to synergize her extensive experience in banking with her expertise in the blockchain sector.
Currently, at SGH, the team's investment strategy centers primarily on Machine Learning and AI as tools to screen and track companies, representing a novel class of venture funds. SGH’s strategy harnesses the power of a new generation of machine learning algorithms, with an approach uniquely underpinned by an extensive proprietary dataset.
Partner
SHG Capital
I've served as a trusted consultant and advisor directly to ruler's representative office and worked in top global top consulting firms in the realm of digitalization, empowering entities to implement transformational initiatives and improve digital maturity. I have worked with top federal and local government entities across diverse industries, including Economic, Oil and Gas, Transportation, Healthcare, Education, Investment, and Legal, HR.
Recognitions and Awards:
I've been humbled to be recognized by both the UAE government and other global firms. My dedication to making a difference has earned me accolades from prestigious organizations, including Road and Transport Authority, Protiviti, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and Federal Electricity and Water Authority.
Driving Innovation and Empowering Communities:
My drive stems from the profound impact technology has on the lives of citizens and residents. I have been actively involved in leveraging emerging tech solutions to address critical business challenges and community needs.
Embracing Global Opportunities:
My journey has taken me far and wide, including being selected among the top six finalists for a global MNC in Zurich, leading operations as an interim CEO.
Giving Back and Empowering Others:
I am deeply committed to making a positive impact beyond borders. Currently, I serve as a country chairperson for technology and innovation, contributing to the advancement of women in tech. As a WTM Ambassador for Google, I actively work on community events supporting women in tech
Advisor of Digitalization at Office of Senior Leadership, Advisor of Digitalization at Office of Senior Leadership
Saket Dandotia is a dynamic and forward-thinking CEO and Founder of Onetab with a passion for leveraging technology to drive business growth and innovation. With a strong background in data-driven mobility research and international market strategies, Saket is a customer-centric marketer known for his love for storytelling and hockey stick growth curves.
At Onetab, Saket leads a team dedicated to developing advanced AI technology aimed at enhancing workplace productivity and collaboration. His vision is to empower individuals within organizations to work smarter and more efficiently, ultimately enabling them to reach their full potential.
Prior to Onetab, Saket co-founded Magnifi.ai, a groundbreaking interactive video platform revolutionizing the realm of shopping and video streaming. Under his leadership, Magnifi.ai introduced innovative features like clickable hotspots, significantly increasing viewer engagement and creating immersive experiences.
With over a decade of experience as the Chief Executive Officer at Linkites Infotech Pvt Ltd, Saket has demonstrated his strategic acumen and leadership skills in driving business success. He has also co-founded VideoVerse, contributing to the advancement of digital media and entertainment.
Saket has enriched his educational journey with a Certificate Programme in Leadership and Change Management from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management, Indore.
Additionally, he has actively participated in the Stanford Seed Spark Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. These invaluable experiences have endowed him with a profound comprehension of leadership dynamics, adept change management strategies, nuanced insights into customer behavior, and astute international business acumen.
Throughout his career, Saket has shown a proactive approach to adopting new technologies and exploring innovative use cases. His expertise in image processing, machine learning, blockchain and video meta tagging reflects his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
CEO & Founder
OneTabAI
As the Head of Applied AI and Business Intelligence at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), I lead a team of Data Scientists, Cloud Engineers, Business Analysts, Developers, and External Vendors to deliver critical bank-wide impact projects. With over seven years of experience in the banking industry, I have a proven track record in driving digital transformation and innovation, leveraging AI, Generative AI, and Data Analytics.
I have successfully pioneered numerous digital transformation projects at FAB, such as launching UAE's first Conversational Virtual Agent and Voice Biometric-based authentication system, implementing a robust AI-powered Chatbot, and partnering with fintech companies to align their innovative solutions with the bank's overall strategy. These projects have significantly improved customer engagement, optimized business performance, and enhanced customer experience, winning multiple internal awards for their impact.
I thrive in collaborative environments where I can build relationships and align cross-functional teams to solve complex business problems with innovative solutions. I have a deep understanding of fintech and a broad view of the banking landscape, bringing a unique combination of strategic and analytical skills to my role. I am committed to leveraging the latest technology to deliver improved banking services that meet the needs of today's digitally savvy customers.
As a committed lifelong learner, I hold a PMP® certification and have completed a course in Blockchain Technology by University of California, Berkeley. I am constantly exploring new technologies and methodologies to stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Recognized for my exceptional leadership and innovative thinking, my ambition is to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI and BI.
Head Applied AI & Business IntelligenceI
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Ali Katkhada, Group CIO at Depa Group (public listed corporate), is a seasoned executive specializing in digital transformation and corporate innovation. With a proven track record in global markets, Ali excels at board-level engagement and cross-functional team leadership. His expertise spans IT Governance, Enterprise Architecture, and emerging technologies like Web 3.0, Blockchain and DeFi. A multi-certified professional, Ali is also an influential advisor and public speaker. He is a recipient of the Top CIO Award.
Group CIO
DEPA UNITED GROUP PJSC
EMCEE/HOST - AI ARENA
CEO
Crunch Foundation
Hani Khalaf is the CTO for Internet of Things and Digital Cities Solutions at Dell Technologies, Middle East Turkey and Africa (META) region. He believes in the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence and Edge being key disruptive technologies in driving the digital transformation of businesses and cities and is very passionate about helping organizations in their digitization journey. He has over 27 years of experience in the field of telecommunications, networking, public safety, with the last 12 years focused on Internet of Things and smart cities solutions.
CTO - IoT,Edge & Digital Cities
Dell Technologies META
Executive, Business Development and Ecosystems - Data and AI - IBM
Adel is the founder and CEO of Traders Brawl, a Web3 public relations and social media marketing agency for Web3, FinTech and blockchain-based start-ups. Traders Brawl is a podcast service, events host and marketing media partner, emphasising short-form video-based content. Adel’s work experience in the cryptoassets industry was derived from working for the UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Adel acted as the ‘Crypto-asset policeman’ who granted and refused cryptoasset licenses to UK applicants that sought UK registration in order to provide cryptoasset services such as setting up a crypto exchange and/or providing crypto asset custodial services. While discovering crypto as an alternative store of value to the US dollar, Adel also experienced with investing his own personal money in a host of both utility-based NFT collections, altcoins, Gold and Bitcoin.
Founder & CEO
Traders Brawl/ Emcee - Gen Z Stage
With over 12 years of journalism experience, Maria Vovchok is a seasoned news presenter, editor, and Blockchain enthusiast for six years. She's held roles in Blockchain media and marketing for companies, fostering connections with VCs, angel investors, and startups. Maria moderates and hosts at global Tech and Business conferences, serving as an Ambassador for the Blockchain Association of Ukraine and a member of "Blockchain Ladies" and "Women on Tech." Currently, she co-organizes Metaverse and Blockchain conferences, advises companies in the Middle East, and hosts the "Encrypted" podcast at the Dubai Blockchain Center.
Podcast Host & Journalist
Dubai Blockchain Center