The Middle East is becoming a focal point for global AI investment. With favorable regulatory environment, clear data sovereignty goals, and long-term AI roadmaps, regional governments are enabling a thriving, trusted AI ecosystem. This session explores how public-private partnership redefines innovation, how to take the momentum forward, and how CIOs across the Middle East can seize this moment to shape the region’s AI future.

AI, predicted to have a $19.9 trillion impact on the global economy by 2030, is reshaping economic landscapes, creating new revenue streams, and redefining competitive advantages. This session will provide unique insights and analysis drawn from IDC’s extensive study of CIOs and key decision-makers across the Middle East. It will provide a deeper understanding of current and planned AI strategies and use case road maps, covering key topics such as AI-ready data, unified governance, fit-for-purpose and scalable infrastructure, and AI talent.

Bridging the divide between AI ambition and execution to prepare for autonomous, enterprise-scale systems

How CIOs are shaping enterprise direction and boardroom priorities

As enterprises step into an era defined by autonomy, Agentic AI is emerging as the most transformative architectural shift since cloud. Rather than augmenting tasks, agentic systems dynamically perceive, reason, and act across value chains—driving decisions, orchestrating workflows, and elevating human potential. In this session, Tech Mahindra’s COO, Atul Soneja, explores how enterprises can responsibly harness Agentic AI to redesign operations, unlock new business models, and build adaptive digital ecosystems. Through real-world learnings, he will highlight the leadership imperatives, governance foundations, and organizational rewiring required to succeed in an autonomous-first world.

As enterprises strive to become AI native, CIOs and IT leaders face a stark reality: most AI pilots fail to reach production. This forward-looking keynote will explore how organizations can break out of that trap by shifting from experimentation to execution. It will introduce a new approach to enterprise AI — one that unifies agents, applications, workflows, and data into a single, horizontal foundation. Rather than adding another point solution, this model enables AI to operate reliably across real business processes at scale. Attendees will gain insight into what it takes to move from fragmented architectures to production-grade AI, and why an enterprise AI operating layer is fast becoming the foundation for leadership in the AI-native era.

Managing legacy systems and debt reduction to unlock innovation capacity

AI ambition in the Middle East is soaring, but the talent gap is widening. This session examines how enterprises, government and academia can address critical shortages in AI and data skills in 2026

Building adaptable architectures to withstand disruption and volatility

Engage, Explore, and Network—Where technology meets unforgettable moments!

Make the most of your networking break with exciting experiences! Enjoy coffee or ice cream from the Robotic Arm Café, capture memories at the AI Photobooth, and refresh at the Mocktail Station. Pick up your exclusive AI T-shirt, craft a signature scent at the Perfumery Station, or get a fun Caricature. Need a quick check-up? Visit the Health Zone for expert advice.