CIO Summit Middle East

CIO Summit Middle East

The CIO Playbook

Proceedings
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The Rise of Agentic Systems

Celebrating 19 years of thought leadership, the IDC CIO Summit – Middle East returns on 11–12 February 2026 in Dubai as the region’s premier gathering of technology decision-makers.

 

This year’s edition explores the rise of AI-native enterprises and the Agentic Stack — intelligent systems that enable real-time decision-making, adaptability, and innovation. With regional AI spending forecast to reach $11.4B by 2027, CIOs must balance bold innovation with governance, trust, and integration.

 

Bringing together 500 CIOs, technology leaders, and global experts, the Summit offers strategic insights, real-world case studies, and practical guidance to help organizations architect the next generation of digital enterprises.

 

IDC Middle East Advisory Council 2026

H.E. Mohammad Hassan

H.E. Mohammad Hassan

Executive Director, Statistics & Data Science Sector

UAE Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Centre

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Yazeed Alotaibi

Yazeed Alotaibi

Deputy Minister for Planning & Digital Transformation

Ministry of Health (KSA)

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Ahmad M. Al Mulla

Ahmad M. Al Mulla

Chief Technology Officer

Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (UAE)

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Latifa Al Shehhi

Latifa Al Shehhi

Director of Investment Data Department & Chief AI Officer (CAIO)

Ministry of Investment (UAE)

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Eng. Huda Ahmed Mohsen

Eng. Huda Ahmed Mohsen

Chief of Information Technology

Ministry of Information (Bahrain)

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Mai B. AlOwaish

Mai B. AlOwaish

Chief Executive Officer

Kuwait Credit Information Network Company (CINET)

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Essa Haidar

Essa Haidar

Chief Technology Officer

Ooredoo (Kuwait)

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Mounir Abdelmoujoud

Mounir Abdelmoujoud

Executive Director, Group Technology

Aldar (UAE)

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Thuraya Al Harthi

Thuraya Al Harthi

Director, Government Unified eServices Portal

Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (Oman)

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Jayesh Maganlal

Jayesh Maganlal

Group Chief Information & Digital Officer

ROSHN Real Estate (KSA)

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Manoj Bhojwani

Manoj Bhojwani

Chief Information Officer

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (UAE)

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Srinivasan Sampath

Srinivasan Sampath

Head of GTTO Business Intelligence & Planning

First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE)

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Saud Al Dhawyani

Saud Al Dhawyani

Group Chief Platform Officer

Emirates NBD (UAE)

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Mamoun Al Homssey

Mamoun Al Homssey

Chief Information Officer

Doha Bank ( Qatar)

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Sultanah Aljaser

Sultanah Aljaser

Chief Information Officer

Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University (PNU) (KSA)

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Dr. Akram Nour

Dr. Akram Nour

Chief Digital Officer

Misk Foundation (KSA)

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Yousef Al Mazeedi

Yousef Al Mazeedi

ICT Director

Capital Markets Authority (Kuwait)

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Ramez AlFayez

Ramez AlFayez

Chief Information Technology Officer

King Abdullah Financial District (KSA)

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Dr. David Millan

Dr. David Millan

Chief Data & AI Officer

Department of Culture and Tourism (UAE)

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Eng. Mohannad AlSalmi

Eng. Mohannad AlSalmi

Chief Information Officer

Flyadeal (KSA)

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Fatma Al Sowaidi

Fatma Al Sowaidi

IT Director

Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA)

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Giovanni Everduin

Giovanni Everduin

Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer

Commercial Bank International (CBI) (UAE)

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Mohamed Abdel Razek

Mohamed Abdel Razek

Senior Executive Vice President, Group Head of Technology, Transformation & Information

Mashreq Bank (UAE)

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Paul Potgieter

Paul Potgieter

Chief Information Officer

NEOM (KSA)

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Andrew Murphy

Andrew Murphy

Chief Information Officer

Abu Dhabi Airports (UAE)

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Saket Saith

Saket Saith

Group Chief Technology & Data Officer

RAKBANK (UAE)

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Hans Peter Buse

Hans Peter Buse

Vice President Digital & IT

EDGE Group (UAE)

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Nayef Bardeesi

Nayef Bardeesi

Deputy Mayor of Holy Makkah for Digital Transformation

Holy Makkah Municipality (KSA)

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Eng. Meshal Bin Hussain

Eng. Meshal Bin Hussain

Director of Digital Transformation & Chief AI Officer

Ministry of Finance (UAE)

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Antonietta Mastroianni

Antonietta Mastroianni

Chief Information Officer

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Expert Perspectives

Hear from global thought leaders, visionary CIOs, and celebrity speakers redefining technology, leadership, and innovation across the region.

9:00 am

IDC Opening Keynote: The AI Moment: Strategies for CIOs in the Middle East

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.

Meredith Whalen | IDC

Chief Product, Research & Delivery Officer

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Meredith Whalen

Event Highlights 2025

Our Partners

Venue

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

Atlantis Ballroom
Crescent Rd – Nakhlat Jumeira – Dubai

Discover a setting unlike any other. From intimate gatherings to grand, awe-inspiring celebrations, this venue offers spaces designed to create unforgettable experiences. Guests can enjoy an elegant cocktail reception set against the mesmerizing backdrop of a 65,000-marine-animal aquarium or indulge in an exquisite dinner in Dubai’s most exclusive hotel suite. Every detail, from the world-class catering to the impeccable service, ensures each moment is elevated into something truly extraordinary.