As AI adoption accelerates across the UAE and wider Gulf—with regional spending expected to grow at 44% CAGR through 2028—a critical gap is emerging: 40% of organizations will miss their AI goals in 2026.
The challenge is no longer whether to invest in AI, but how to translate investment into measurable business outcomes. The focus is shifting from promise to practice—delivering tangible value while maintaining control over data, infrastructure, and risk.
Hosted by Intel and IDC, this closed-door roundtable brings senior leaders together to address the strategic questions that matter: Where are you in your AI journey? What’s working in practice? And what’s preventing you from scaling beyond pilots?
Through candid peer exchange, we’ll explore the real constraints organizations face—from governance and security to data sovereignty and infrastructure choices—and surface practical insights on transforming AI from isolated experiments into trusted, enterprise-ready capabilities that drive competitive advantage.
Making AI Real: Value, Risk, and Control
Day 1
Registration & Networking
Welcome Address & Keynote: IDC
Introduction by Intel
Eng. Taha M. Khalifa
General Manager (MEA), Intel Corporation
Curated Discussion
Summary and Close
Buffet Dinner and Informal Networking Continues
Speaker
Eng. Taha M. Khalifa
General Manager (MEA)
Intel Corporation
Read Bio
Eng. Taha M. Khalifa
Eng. Taha M. Khalifa leads Intel’s Middle East and Africa operations, driving the region’s digital transformation through strategic technology innovation. With over two decades at Intel, he partners with governments, industry pioneers, and technology leaders to architect the future of AI-enabled computing across MEA. His vision centers on democratizing advanced technologies—from edge to cloud—that unlock economic growth and societal progress. Throughout his career spanning the US, EMEA, and MENA, Taha has championed breakthrough solutions in engineering, go-to-market strategy, and ecosystem development, positioning the region as an emerging hub for scalable, responsible AI innovation.
Event Sessions
Tuesday, February 10 2026 6:45 pm | Location:
Introduction by Intel
Partner
Intel
Intel creates world-changing technology that powers computing globally. As a trusted performance leader, Intel empowers the AI era through hardware, software, and open ecosystems – bringing AI from client to cloud to edge. Through advances in semiconductors, platforms, and manufacturing innovation, Intel drives scalable progress that enriches lives worldwide.
Venue
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Spice C
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.