11–12 Feb 2026
Atlantis – The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
CIO Summit Middle East
The CIO Playbook
REGISTER NOW BECOME A SPONSORThe 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.
H.E. Mohammad Hassan
Mohammad Hassan has served as executive director for the statistics and data science sector at the UAE’s Federal Competitiveness and Statistic Centre since 2015. His duties include driving coordination between the public and private sectors to achieve the goals of the national data and statistic strategy and support decision and policy making. He is also a member of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics. Between 2012 and 2015, he served as director of corporate communication and external affairs for the Emirates Competitiveness Council within the Minister of State Office. He also previously served as public sector manager at Microsoft from 2007 to 2010, where he was focused on business development and increasing the efficiency of government services via digitalization, utilizing cutting-edge technology and worldwide best practices. His banking expertise spans 11 years, during which time he worked in financial services and information technology.
Yazeed Alotaibi
Yazeed Alotaibi serves as assistant deputy minister for planning & digital transformation within Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MOH). He possesses vast experience in the areas of business and digital healthcare transformation, having delivered a number of key strategic transformational programs for the Ministry. For example, he led and directed the delivery and execution of the MOH Digital Strategies, the National Digital Health Blueprint, and the Digital Health Governance Frameworks. Over the course of his career, he has led multiple functions within the ehealth and digital transformation deputyship, such as the Office of Strategy Management, the Enterprise Architect Function, and the Digital Program Management Office.
Ahmad M. Al Mulla
Mr. Almulla has an extensive experience in the field of I.T. for over 25 years. He has received Bachelor of Science from The University of Arizona in Computer Engineering in the year 1987 and completed his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from University of New England, Australia in the year 1993. Additionally, Mr. Almulla has completed the “Program for Executive Development” from International Institute for Management Development (IMD). Mr. Almulla has been working in all the areas in Information Technology department such as Application Development, Information Security, Architecture Designing and Networking, Process Control, etc. He started his career as a Programmer in 1988 in Dubai Aluminium Company Limited, and is currently Chief Technology Officer, Emirates Water and Electricity Co..
Latifa Al Shehhi
Event Sessions
Wednesday, February 11 2026 9:50 am | Location:
Panel Discussion: Scaling AI for Enterprise Transformation: Cloud Modernization and Sovereignty as Strategic Foundations for 2026
As AI shifts decisively toward business value realization, organizations across the region are accelerating the operationalization of AI—anchored by IT automation, digital sovereignty, and large-scale cloud modernization. Join IDC’s Meredith Whalen, IBM’s Saad Toma, and leading public sector CIOs for an in-depth discussion spotlighting real-world production outcomes from organizations. The conversation will explore how cloud sovereignty, robust AI governance, and ecosystem collaboration are emerging as critical enablers for secure, compliant, and sustainable transformation in 2026.
Eng. Huda Ahmed Mohsen
Eng. Huda Ahmed Mohsen , Chief of Information Technology at the Ministry of Information, leading the digital transformation and modernization of the ministry’s IT ecosystem. With extensive expertise in upgrading IT infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity frameworks, and enabling advanced e-government services, she has successfully directed numerous strategic projects across all information technology sectors. Her leadership focuses on driving innovation, strengthening digital governance, and empowering the public sector through secure and efficient technological solutions.
Mai B. AlOwaish
Essa Haidar
Essa serves as Chief Technology Officer at Ooredoo Kuwait, where they lead strategic planning, development, and implementation of cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation and enhance the company’s telecommunication infrastructure. With 20 years of experience in the telecom industry, Essa has a proven record in managing large-scale network deployments, 5G rollouts, and the integration of next-generation technologies such as IoT and AI. Previous to their role as CTO of Ooredoo Kuwait, Essa was Director of Radio Access and Network Planning, where they successfully launched 5G, 4G, and 3G Networks, IP and Transmission works, including end-to-end management of Ooredoo Radio Network evolution, country-wide. They also played a key role in the continued development and execution of strategic objectives driven by Ooredoo Group, with its recent strategic announcement of establishing the largest Tower Company in the MENA region, which feeds the demand for environmentally friendly solutions and sustainability. Moreover, Customer Experience was at the heart of their strategies deployed for Network Anomaly Detection using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for critical use cases, to deliver seamless performance on all application levels.
Mounir Abdelmoujoud
Mounir Abdel-Moujoud serves as executive director of group technology at Aldar. He is a visionary technology executive with over 20 years of global experience leading transformation across industries, including real estate, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and defense. Recognized for his ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies, Mounir has played a pivotal role in reshaping how organizations operate, grow, and innovate in today’s digital economy. He brings a unique blend of strategic foresight, operational rigor, and human-centric leadership — driving change not just through systems and structures, but through people and purpose. His career has been defined by helping organizations stay ahead of disruption while building the next generation of leaders and capabilities. Mounir is also an active speaker and advisor on topics ranging from digital transformation to organizational agility and tech-enabled business reinvention.
Thuraya Al Harthi
Thuraya Al-Harthi is a senior Omani leader with over 15 years of experience driving digital transformation, innovation, and AI adoption across the public sector. As Director of the Government Unified Portal (gov.om) at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), she leads national efforts to advance Oman Vision 2040 through smarter, more inclusive, and citizen-centric digital services.
She worked as a Government Fellow with the United Nations University (UNU-EGOV) in Portugal, contributing to global research and policy dialogue on digital government, and as a Digital Innovation Mentor in the Future Women City initiative, empowering young women to become leaders in technology and public service.
A board member in several local and international organizations and a graduate of the Future Government Leaders Program (UAE), Thuraya is also an award-winning global speaker recognized for her advocacy in women and youth empowerment, AI innovation, and human-centered digital governance — inspiring a new generation to shape the future of smart, connected nations.
Jayesh Maganlal
Jayesh Maganlal currently serves as group chief information and digital officer (GCIDO) at ROSHN Real Estate, where he drives the company’s digital transformation and innovation agenda. With more than 22 years of experience leading technology and business transformations across various industries in global multinationals, as well as regional industries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, Jayesh is a highly accomplished executive. Before joining ROSHN Real Estate, he held several leadership positions in the region, including CIO at Damac, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, and a government-owned budget airline in Dubai. He has a proven track record of delivering successful technology and business initiatives that result in significant cost savings, revenue growth, and improved customer experiences. With extensive experience in solving various business challenges across all technology areas in diversified industries, Jayesh is highly adept at grasping complexity and driving simplicity. He has a win-win mindset and excels at building profitable long-term relationships while helping companies grow. As a digital evangelist, Jayesh champions the use of data and technology practices to instil a digital mindset from the top down.
Manoj Bhojwani
Manoj Bhojwani serves as global CIO at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, where he leads technology transformation, business digitization, and innovation. He is a highly experienced technology executive with over 30 years in digital, technology, and organizational transformation. He has held prominent roles at Oracle, JP Morgan Chase, Credit Suisse, and HSBC, maintaining a strong focus on the wealth management sector. Notably, he spearheaded the creation of Asia’s first digital private bank. As global CIO of wealth and private banking at HSBC, he drove a global technology transformation, prioritizing a cloud-first approach to modernize platforms across client segments. Known for championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, he is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within the organizations he serves.
Srinivasan Sampath
Srinivasan Sampath is the CIO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). He is responsible for driving FAB’s technology and transformation strategy and preparing for the next generation of digital banking services. He has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry and has delivered several large integration programs in multiple regions. He specializes in creating business value, bolstering employee engagement, and strengthening business relationships. In recent years, he has been involved in leading digitization programs covering end-to-end digital customer experience and process automation. In addition, he has been a chairperson and member of several advisory boards. He was involved in implementing the first cross-border blockchain remittance transaction between two major banks.
Saud Al Dhawyani
Mamoun Al Homssey
Sultanah Aljaser
Dr. Akram Nour
Dr. Akram Nour, PhD, is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential digital leaders, spearheading transformative initiatives across both public and private sectors. As chief digital officer at the Misk Foundation, he is responsible for leading the digital transformation across the Misk ecosystem, which includes key projects such as iLmi, Misk Art, and the Smart City project in Misk City. His efforts focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and data intelligence into the kingdom’s digital strategy, empowering youth and fostering innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Dr. Nour’s professional journey spans academia, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. His diverse experiences include co-founding start-ups and leading national digital programs, showcasing his ability to turn visionary ideas into impactful and sustainable transformations. He continues to inspire a new generation of leaders, demonstrating his commitment to cultivating a digital-first culture that enhances innovation and societal advancement within the kingdom.
Yousef Al Mazeedi
Yousef Al Mazeedi is the Director of Information & Communications Technology at the Capital Markets Authority of Kuwait, with over 20 years of experience in information technology and more than a decade in executive leadership roles.
He leads large-scale digital transformation initiatives, focusing on IT governance, cybersecurity and information security, enterprise systems, AI and data analytics, and strategic technology planning. Throughout his career, he has successfully led and overseen the implementation of key regulatory and enterprise platforms, including ERP and XBRL systems, enabling enhanced regulatory oversight, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.
Yousef has also played a pivotal role in establishing and advancing institutional governance frameworks, leading multi-disciplinary teams in the successful implementation of international standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 20000. He actively contributes to strategic and governance committees, including digital transformation, information security, business continuity, and XBRL steering committees.
He holds several professional certifications, including Senior Lead Implementer for ISO 27001 and ISO 22301, as well as CCNP and CCVP.
Ramez AlFayez
Ramez AlFayez is the Chief Information and Technology Officer at KAFD, with more than 22 years of executive leadership across government and private sectors. At KAFD, he leads the strategy and delivery of the corporate and district digital and technology agenda, driving transformation initiatives that enhance customer experience, operational performance, and business value.
Ramez is also a Board Member at SURE Tech Global, a listed company, and Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC). Before joining KAFD, he served as Head of Information Technology at the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and Riyadh Airports, and held leadership roles at the Ministry of Justice and Elm Company. Across these roles, he led major digital programs, launched new products, developed revenue streams, and embedded innovation into operating models.
Ramez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Computer and Information Sciences from King Saud University. He has also completed executive education in finance at Harvard Business School and the Advanced Management Program at IMD.
Dr. David Millan
Dr. David Millan is a seasoned Digital & AI executive with extensive international experience in transforming complex organisations, driving disruptive innovation, and building high-performing teams. His career spans leadership across Digital, Data, and Artificial Intelligence—consistently delivering measurable business impact.
He currently serves as Chief Data & AI Officer at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, where he leads the organisation’s Digital & AI transformation. Previously, he was Chief Data & Analytics Officer at B2Holding in the Financial Services sector, and before that held senior Data and AI leadership roles at renowned global companies including Unilever, Vodafone, Telefónica, and Etihad Etisalat.
Dr. David is also the author of a book, holder of several patents, and author of multiple scientific publications in Artificial Intelligence. He is a frequent speaker and panellist at international conferences, and brings a wealth of academic experience as a lecturer in several universities and business schools around the world.
Event Sessions
Wednesday, February 11 2026 9:50 am | Location:
Panel Discussion: Scaling AI for Enterprise Transformation: Cloud Modernization and Sovereignty as Strategic Foundations for 2026
As AI shifts decisively toward business value realization, organizations across the region are accelerating the operationalization of AI—anchored by IT automation, digital sovereignty, and large-scale cloud modernization. Join IDC’s Meredith Whalen, IBM’s Saad Toma, and leading public sector CIOs for an in-depth discussion spotlighting real-world production outcomes from organizations. The conversation will explore how cloud sovereignty, robust AI governance, and ecosystem collaboration are emerging as critical enablers for secure, compliant, and sustainable transformation in 2026.
Eng. Mohannad AlSalmi
Engineer Mohannad AlSalmi is the Chief Information Officer with 30 years of experience in Information Technology and Digital Transformation. Throughout his career, he has held key roles in various organizations, where he has been instrumental in developing and leading digital strategies, roadmaps, and projects.
In 2022, Mohannad was recognized as one of the top 10 CIOs in the Middle East by IDC MEA.
He is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and has earned a Certified Diploma in Leadership and Management from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).”
Fatma Al Sowaidi
Fatma Al Sowaidi is the Director of Information Technology at the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), where she leads the strategic development and transformation of the organization’s technology landscape. With over 18 years of experience in the IT sector, she has been instrumental in driving innovation, operational excellence, and the adoption of next‑generation digital capabilities within the regulatory environment.
Fatma oversees enterprise-wide technology strategy, major digital transformation initiatives, and the implementation of cloud, network, cybersecurity, business continuity, and disaster recovery programs. Under her leadership, the QFCRA became the first government entity in Qatar to operate fully on the cloud—an achievement that significantly strengthened operational efficiency, resilience, and alignment with the country’s broader digital agenda.
She also leads the development and execution of the QFCRA’s Artificial Intelligence strategy, positioning the authority as a regional benchmark for regulatory modernization. Her vision centers on leveraging AI to enhance supervisory effectiveness, streamline operations, and elevate regulatory excellence.
Giovanni Everduin
Based in Dubai, Giovanni Everduin serves as chief strategy and innovation officer at Commercial Bank International. He is also the bank’s head of ventures. He is a Harvard Business School alum with a creative, entrepreneurial background, who is passionate about the intersection of tech and impact, particularly around leveraging new technologies like AI and blockchain to support global and local sustainability goals. Giovanni also serves as an advisor and mentor to several start-ups and founders within the fintech and AI space, and currently sits on the boards of Zypl, a Series-A AI and synthetic data start-up; Tekle Holographics, a leading geospatial holographics company; Luna PR, a fintech-, AI-, and web3-focused PR firm; and Tumar, the fund between the World Bank and the government of Kazakhstan. He has over 20 years of experience driving change and delivering strategic benefits to organizations across the globe.
Mohamed Abdel Razek
As group head of Mashreq’s Technology, Transformation, and Information Group, Mohamed Abdel Razek leads Mashreq’s technology organization and drives the bank’s transformation in terms of digital services, resilience, and superior client experience. He is accountable for the continual adoption of new and emerging technologies, ensuring customer service excellence, and enabling seamless collaboration with the bank’s external partners. As a seasoned technology professional with over 30 years of experience, Mohamed has led group and regional technology functions across several large corporations. Most recently, he served as chief technology, transformation, and operations officer for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered Bank. He was previously associated with British American Tobacco, from 2007 to 2015, where he last held the role of global head of technology services.
Paul Potgieter
Paul Potgieter is a technology leader at the forefront of AI and industrial innovation in the Middle East. As part of the senior leadership team at NEOM’s advanced and cognitive industrial city, Paul is driving the integration of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and sustainable industry to help shape the world’s most advanced manufacturing ecosystem as Chief Information Officer.
He also serves as board director of the South African Business Council, strengthening economic and technology collaboration between Africa and the Gulf region.
Recently recognized by MIT Sloan Management as one of the Top 50 AI Leaders in the Middle East, Paul is known for bridging the gap between boardrooms and borders, transforming ambitious ideas into scalable, real-world impact.
Andrew Murphy
Saket Saith
Saket Saith is a seasoned professional at the forefront of digital transformation, specializing in the convergence of strategy and execution. Currently serving as the group chief technology and data officer at RAKBANK, Saket has over 25 years of experience in leading technology and data initiatives, ensuring the delivery of innovative and customer-centric solutions. Prior to this, he held pivotal roles, including chief technology officer, at Barclays in the United Kingdom, and various leadership positions at DBS Bank in Singapore, where he played a crucial role in digital transformation, enterprise architecture, and IT strategy. He is passionate about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and big data, and how they can be leveraged to create value for customers, businesses, and society at large. Saket’s career spans the globe, contributing significantly to the growth and innovation of renowned financial and technology organizations. His expertise encompasses enterprise architecture, IT business strategy, software engineering, and operating models.
Hans Peter Buse
Hans Peter Buse serves as the Vice President Digital & IT of EDGE Group. He focuses on leading the digital transformation of the group, establishing a unified data foundation, and integrating artificial intelligence into key business processes. His work is centered on leveraging technology to deliver measurable business value. Before joining EDGE Group, he was an Executive Partner for Enterprise Strategy – Technology and Data in IBM Consulting and a Director in Kearney’s Digital Transformation and Restructuring practices. His leadership experience includes serving as the Head of Group E&P IT at MOL Group, the Group IT Manager of E.ON Exploration & Production, and the Vice President of IT for E.ON Russia. He began his professional career in the Strategic IT Effectiveness practice at Accenture.
Nayef Bardeesi
Eng. Nayef Bardeesi serves as the Deputy Mayor for Digital Transformation at the Holy Makkah Municipality, where he leads strategic initiatives to modernize public services and drive digital excellence in alignment with Vision 2030. With over 17 years of experience across Strategy, Transformation, and Technology, he has held key leadership roles in the Oil & Gas, Banking, Tourism, and Government sectors. In his current role, he is focused on enabling innovation, improving operational efficiency, and implementing world-class digital solutions to enhance municipal services. Known for his strategic thinking, leadership versatility, and ability to manage complex transformations, he also brings experience in overseeing Cybersecurity, Operations, Procurement, and Facility Management functions. He is recognized as a forward-thinking leader with a passion for digital government, smart city development, corporate strategy, and organizational agility.
Eng. Meshal Bin Hussain
Eng. Meshal is a veteran in Information Security Management and Technology Transformation, serving as both the Chief AI Officer overseeing AI adoption across the Ministry of Finance, and driving digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives across the Ministry and Federal Government. Under his leadership, the Ministry harnesses the latest emerging technologies, including robotics, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence, in line with the UAE’s Vision & Strategies.
Previously, Eng. Meshal managed Information Security and technical operations at Dubai Holding Group and its entities. He was also a member of the UAE mGovernment Committee, spearheading the UAE Federal Government’s transformation into a Smart Government.
He is recognized as a leader in government innovation, having helped establish the Federal Government’s first digital innovation center, which fosters a culture of forward-thinking solutions and creative problem-solving across government entities.
Throughout his extensive career in leading cybersecurity incident handling for the UAE government and other sectors, Eng. Meshal’s deep expertise in information security and technology has enabled him to make significant contributions in this field. His responsibilities have included heading the UAE Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT), where he led cybersecurity incident response, digital forensics initiatives, and awareness campaigns across the UAE government.
Having started his career with ETISALAT as an Internet Security Engineer, Eng. Meshal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Engineering and a Master’s degree in Information Security from Khalifa University (KU).
Event Sessions
Wednesday, February 11 2026 9:50 am | Location:
Panel Discussion: Scaling AI for Enterprise Transformation: Cloud Modernization and Sovereignty as Strategic Foundations for 2026
As AI shifts decisively toward business value realization, organizations across the region are accelerating the operationalization of AI—anchored by IT automation, digital sovereignty, and large-scale cloud modernization. Join IDC’s Meredith Whalen, IBM’s Saad Toma, and leading public sector CIOs for an in-depth discussion spotlighting real-world production outcomes from organizations. The conversation will explore how cloud sovereignty, robust AI governance, and ecosystem collaboration are emerging as critical enablers for secure, compliant, and sustainable transformation in 2026.
Antonietta Mastroianni
Antonietta Mastroianni joined e& in 2026 as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of e& UAE, where she leads enterprise-wide IT strategy and transformation, focusing on operational excellence, scalability, and business enablement.
With over 25 years of international leadership experience in telecommunications, IT, and large-scale transformation, she is known for her ability to bridge technology and business. Throughout her career, Antonietta has led complex, multi-year transformation programmes, managed large global teams, and delivered significant improvements in efficiency, operational performance, and organisational effectiveness.
Prior to joining e&, Antonietta held C-level and Group CIO roles at major European organisations including Proximus Group, TDC Group, and Sunrise Communications, where she was Head of IT and Digital. In parallel, she has played an active role in shaping industry thinking through board and advisory positions, having served as Board and Council Member at ETIS, Board Member and VC Finance at Gaia-X, and Board Observer at Lumine Group (Canada). Through these roles, she contributes to strategic oversight, technology governance, and long-term value creation.
Antonietta’s leadership has been widely recognised across the industry. Her honours include being named DataNews CIO of the Year in 2025, receiving the Swiss CxO Forum Award in 2024, and being awarded Telco Woman of the Year by Network X in 2022. She was also recognised as Telco CxO of the Year at the 5G World Series in 2021 and was a nominee for Danish CIO of the Year in 2020.
Antonietta holds a Master of Science in Computer and Automation Engineering from the Università di Siena and is a member of Italy’s Order of the Engineers.
Expert Perspectives
Hear from global thought leaders, visionary CIOs, and celebrity speakers redefining technology, leadership, and innovation across the region.
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 Research and Data Officer
Meredith Whalen
Event Sessions
Wednesday, February 11 2026 9:50 am | Location:
Panel Discussion: Scaling AI for Enterprise Transformation: Cloud Modernization and Sovereignty as Strategic Foundations for 2026
As AI shifts decisively toward business value realization, organizations across the region are accelerating the operationalization of AI—anchored by IT automation, digital sovereignty, and large-scale cloud modernization. Join IDC’s Meredith Whalen, IBM’s Saad Toma, and leading public sector CIOs for an in-depth discussion spotlighting real-world production outcomes from organizations. The conversation will explore how cloud sovereignty, robust AI governance, and ecosystem collaboration are emerging as critical enablers for secure, compliant, and sustainable transformation in 2026.
Wednesday, February 11 2026 9:00 am | Location:
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.
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.
Insights
Discover thought-provoking articles from IDC analysts, strategic partners, and end-user speakers. Explore expert viewpoints on the latest tech trends, real-world transformation stories, and forward-looking insights shaping the digital future.
AI Infrastructure: The Foundation of the Agentic Era
The world is entering a defining moment for digital infrastructure. Artificial intelligence has moved from experimentation to ubiquity, and with it, a new operational paradigm is taking shape — one where agents rather than applications become the primary engines of digital value creation. This is the dawn of the agentic AI era, and its success depends on one thing above all else: robust, intelligent, and scalable infrastructure.
Matt Eastwood
IDC
SVP, WW Research
Read More
Getting Your Data AI Ready.
It has become a common refrain – getting data governance right is key to a successful AI strategy! This conventional wisdom is very true, but it is not a new problem. For as long as I have been involved in IT, both as an analyst and as a CIO, companies have struggled with wrangling the various data sets across the applications running at the organization.
Bob Parker
IDC
SVP, Software and Services Research
Read More
Vision to Reality: How Governments are Empowering the Middle East’s AI Future
IDC predicts that AI will have a cumulative global economic impact of $19.9 trillion by 2030, driving 3.5% of global GDP growth. Governments will play a strategic dual role – both shaping policies for secure, impactful, and responsible adoption of AI across industries, and acting as major buyers of AI to transform public programs and services, enhancing operational efficiency and achieving mission outcomes.
Massimiliano Claps
IDC
Research Director
Read More
Women in AI
At Princess Nourah University (PNU), one of the largest women’s universities in the world, the rise of women in technology and artificial intelligence has become a defining mark of progress. Among the most influential figures leading this transformation is the CIO, whose exceptional work has shaped the university’s digital future and strengthened the role of women in AI-driven innovation.
Eng. Sultanah Aljaser
Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University (PNU)
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Read More
Breaking Barriers and Building Resilience: Women’s Leadership in Cybersecurity
Introduction: A New Era of Cyber Leadership
Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, pushing organizations to constantly adapt and innovate. Yet one of the strongest catalysts for innovation—diverse leadership—remains underutilized in cybersecurity. Women still make up a small fraction of the global cyber workforce and an even smaller percentage of leadership roles.
Despite these challenges, women have been pivotal in shaping modern cyber resilience, influencing policy, culture, and organizational strategy. Their leadership is redefining how the industry tackles risk and responds to threats.
Eng. Huda Ahmed Mohsen
Ministry of Information (Bahrain)
Chief of Information Technology
Read More
Simplifying Complex Business Workflows the Smart Way
Today’s CIOs face a real challenge. Digital tools are everywhere across the enterprise. They promise speed, efficiency, and better performance. But in practice, many of these tools solve problems in isolation. Over time, this creates fragmented systems that are hard to integrate, govern, and scale.
As AI moves from hype to a core business capability, the pressure is rising. CIOs are expected to simplify these environments while still delivering real results. That means rethinking how work flows across systems — not adding yet another tool.
Haitham Elkhatib
UnifyApps
Co-Founder
read more
Parallels Perspective: Navigating the New Era of Application Delivery with Flexibility, Security, and Choice
The way organizations deliver applications has undergone a significant shift over the past few years. Pre-pandemic, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) was often seen as a niche solution for specific use cases. Post-pandemic, it has become a cornerstone of modern IT strategies, driven by the rise of remote work and the need for secure, scalable access to business-critical applications.
Steven Dewinter
Parallels
Senior Global Director, Sales Engineering
Read More
From Oscillation to Orchestration: Why AI Needs a New Operating Model
History is full of false choices. Centralized or decentralized. Control or freedom. Order or chaos. We keep swinging between extremes, convinced the next swing will finally fix things. It rarely does.
The same pattern is now playing out with AI.
Dan Sommer
Qlik
Senior Director, Market Intelligence Lead
read more
Building the Next-Generation Enterprise: Adaptive Intelligence Architecture
Forward-thinking companies are rewriting the rules of business operations. Instead of patching new technology onto old systems, these organizations design intelligent decision-making capabilities directly into their core processes. The result? Operations that monitor market conditions 24 x 7, analyze complex situations on the fly, and take action across departments without waiting for human approval. Decisions that once took days now happen in seconds.
Sahil Dhawan
Tech Mahindra
President & Head (India, MEA)
Read more
Intelligent Networks, Intelligent Enterprises: Leading in the Age of AI Native Infrastructure
The digital economy is entering a decisive new phase — one where competitiveness is no longer determined by connectivity alone, but by intelligence built directly into infrastructure. Around the world, executive leaders are shifting from traditional transformation programs to a more ambitious mandate: creating enterprises that can sense, decide, and act in real time. This next frontier is defined by two powerful forces converging at scale: next‑generation networks and applied AI woven throughout the enterprise fabric.
Essa Haidar
Ooredoo
Chief Technology Officer
read more
The Next Phase of Enterprise AI in 2026
As organizations across regulated and complex industries move into 2026, enterprise leaders are taking a more pragmatic view of AI adoption. While generative and agentic AI promise unprecedented speed and innovation, real-world implementation highlights a growing need for governance, orchestration, and architectural discipline. The next phase of enterprise AI will be defined less by experimentation and more by operational maturity.
Gonçalo Borrêga, VP Product, AI & AppDev, OutSystems
Amr Hafiz, Managing Director, Envnt
read more
Agentic AI and the Human Equation: Building Trust-Driven Customer Intelligence
Agentic AI is no longer a theoretical capability — it is entering enterprises as a decision-maker, an actor, and, increasingly, a source of risk. As autonomous systems move from pilot programs into production, CIOs are facing a new reality: success is no longer defined by technical performance alone, but by trust, governance, and accountability.
Jim Dwyer
Sutherland
Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer
read more
Modernizing for Autonomy: How Migration and Platforms Enable Agentic AI
As enterprises move toward agentic AI, systems capable of acting autonomously and making decisions, the greatest barrier is rarely intelligence. Instead, it is the readiness of enterprise platforms. Most organizations continue to operate on architectures designed for stability, predictability, and human-led decision-making. While effective for traditional workloads, these environments struggle to support autonomous decision loops without introducing operational risk.
Nadeem Qureshi
Integra Technologies
Sales Director
read more
From CDN to IDN: Why the Shift, and Why Now?
As digital services become mission-critical to enterprise growth, the question facing CIOs is no longer whether delivery performance matters — but whether today’s delivery architectures are still fit for purpose.
Global digital traffic continues to grow at 20%+ annually, driven by video-heavy consumption, cloud-native applications, real-time services, and AI-enabled platforms.
Sonny Tran
EdgeNext
Director, Strategic Growth & Network Strategy
read more
Your Competitive Edge Isn’t AI — It’s What Comes Before It
AI has become a board-level priority across industries. Organizations are investing heavily in advanced models, automation platforms, and intelligent agents, all in pursuit of faster decisions, improved efficiency, and competitive differentiation. Yet, despite this momentum, many AI initiatives struggle to move beyond pilots or fail to deliver meaningful, lasting impact.
Ali Sallam
Iron Mountain
Digital Solutions Architect
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The Real-Time Imperative: Navigating the Velocity of Modern Data
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the Middle East, the gap between data generation and actionable insight is closing. For the modern CIO, the challenge is no longer just about storing vast quantities of information; it is about the latency of decision-making. As regional enterprises embrace the “AI-first” era, the underlying architecture must shift from traditional batch processing to a real-time intelligence model.
Arno van Driel
ClickHouse
Vice President
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AI-Human Harmony: The Future of Customer Engagement
Customer engagement is undergoing a profound shift. For years, enterprises relied on a simple formula: automation to scale, humans to empathize. That balance held until customer expectations changed. Today, people want to be recognized and understood instantly, across every channel, with experiences that feel intelligent and human at the same time. Incremental improvements will not meet this demand. What is needed is a complete redesign of how intelligence powers every interaction.
Sachin Bhatia
Exotel
Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer
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From Compliance to Control: A CIO’s Guide to Data Sovereignty
Data has become one of the world’s most valuable resources, and it flows across borders instantly. This freedom creates incredible opportunities for innovation and growth. It also creates a tangled web of legal and security challenges. Governments everywhere are tightening their grip on how digital information is stored, processed, and transferred.
Adam Gale
NetApp
Chief Technology Officer
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Transforming Digital Leadership: How Middle East CIOs Can Bridge Strategy and Execution
As organizations across the Middle East accelerate their digital transformation journeys under national visions such as UAE Vision 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030, CIOs are confronting a dual mandate: drive innovation at speed while ensuring that transformation efforts consistently translate into measurable business outcomes. This year’s IDC Middle East CIO Summit arrives at a pivotal moment — when technology leadership must evolve from operational stewardship to strategic value orchestration.
Stephen Fernandes
Planview
Chief Growth Officer & Head (Middle East)
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From Experimentation to Impact: Why Engineering Must Become AI Native
The next wave of engineering transformation will be defined by who rebuilds engineering around AI as a foundational capability. Many organizations are already experimenting with copilots and automation tools. While deploying intelligent tools in pockets may deliver short-term or incremental gains, it rarely delivers lasting value. Speed alone does not create advantage if it comes at the cost of quality, resilience, or trust.
Ehsan Shariff
Managing Director
Nagarro
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Data Discovery First: Why Modern Data Governance Needs DSPM
Every part of enterprise IT has found its “next-generation” model, yet data governance in many organizations is still being asked to work with assumptions designed for a slower, simpler data world.
That world disappeared quietly, then all at once. Hybrid work normalized new ways of creating and sharing information.