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.

Alibek Tnaliyev is a visionary digital and tech leader, boasting over 13 years of unparalleled experience in propelling businesses to new heights. His extensive expertise spans finance, product development, marketing, sales, and analytics, with a profound mastery of digital and sales funnels. Renowned for his exceptional communication skills, Alibek excels at streamlining operations and implementing cutting-edge features to optimize results and maximize ROI.

Alibek’s international experience in the tech and e-commerce sectors is a testament to his global perspective. As the Senior Vice President of Business Development for the MENA Region at Qatar Insurance Group, he is spearheading a revolutionary five-year digital strategy and has established a groundbreaking QIC digital hub. Leading a team of top-tier professionals, Alibek’s strategic vision and leadership are driving the creation of the first digital ecosystem in the MENA region, cementing his status as an industry trailblazer.

Haneen is a Senior Solutions Architect who has spent her career at the cutting edge of AI, working across machine learning, computer vision, deep learning, and now the era of large language models. She specializes in bridging the gap between AI’s potential and practical business outcomes, helping organizations move from strategy to execution. Known for translating complex AI concepts into clear, actionable solutions, she brings both the technical depth and real-world experience to cut through the hype.

Harish Dunakhe leads IDC’s research & advisory practice for the software program in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey (META) region.
He is responsible for a team of research analysts and manages the delivery of insights in IDC’s software program and syndicated research. Harish and his team have expertise in studying technology trends to provide our clients with thought leadership and actionable insights. He is based in Dubai.

Harish has a strong understanding of leveraging technologies to solve business problems in the public sector, travel & transportation, hospitality, IT, and retail. He has significant knowledge of emerging technologies such as blockchain, RPA, artificial intelligence, and cloud. He works with clients to understand the intricacies, opportunities, and challenges involved in their technology transformation journeys.

Harish brings more than 17 years of experience working with leading system integrators and other technology companies across the Middle East, South Asia, and India. Prior to joining IDC, he held senior roles spanning technology sales strategy, program governance, and large account business planning at Global MNCs such as Wipro, DXC Technology, and Sonata Software.