Turning AI Into Business Value
Overview
Across the GCC, AI continues to rank as a strategic priority. IDC research shows that AI implementation is a top priority for 66% of EMEA C-suite leaders in 2026, underscoring its growing role in enterprise transformation.
At the same time, the current geopolitical landscape is creating a more complex operating environment, marked by greater cost pressure, heightened risk sensitivity, and increased scrutiny of investment decisions.
For technology leaders in the region, the challenge now is to sustain AI momentum while delivering measurable business value amid rising uncertainty. In today’s environment, business and technology leaders must not only justify AI investments but also ensure their AI strategies are resilient in the face of operational, economic, and geopolitical disruption.
Join us for this exclusive IDC Virtual AI Roadshow to explore how organizations across the GCC can continue advancing their AI agendas while responding to rising geopolitical uncertainty and a more demanding investment climate.
Key Themes
Prioritize AI Deployments with Measurable ROI
Revalidate Cloud and Infrastructure Resilience
Strengthen Cyber Readiness
Reassess Data Governance, Sovereignty, and Compliance
Modernize Data Platforms for AI Readiness
Diversify Technology Supply Chains
Agenda
Turning AI Into Business Value
One Day Event
11:00 am
Welcome Address
11:05 am
IDC Keynote: From Disruption to Operational Readiness
In a more volatile environment, CIOs are being called to move beyond reaction and build technology organizations that are ready for disruption by design. This keynote will examine how resilience, sustained AI innovation, cloud strategy, and operational preparedness are becoming essential to maintaining continuity and confidence at scale.
11:20 am
Architecting for Data Sovereignty: Hybrid, Multi-Cloud, and Edge Strategies
11:35 am
Operationalizing AI: Bridging the Gap Between Data, Models & Business Impact
11:50 am
Optimizing Cloud for AI: Cost, Performance, and Scalability Considerations
12:05 pm
Securing the AI Enterprise: Managing Risk in an Intelligent Threat Landscape
12:20 pm
From Data to Value: How Enterprises are driving Business Impact in AI Era
12:35 pm
Driving Agility and Continuity Through Low-Code Adoption
12:50 pm
Gold Tracks (Parallel Sessions)
Track A
12:50 pm – 1:00 pm
Making Data Sovereignty Work in a More Uncertain Environment
1:00 pm – 1:10 pm
Building Trusted Data Foundations for Resilience
1:10 pm – 1:20 pm
Zero Trust: Redefining the Modern Security Perimeter
Track B
12:50 pm – 1:00 pm
Building Cloud Resilience for the AI-Driven Enterprise
1:00 pm – 1:10 pm
Resilient AI Infrastructure: Building for Performance, Cost, and Continuity
1:10 pm – 1:20 pm
Upskilling the workforce for the agentic era
1:20 pm
Summary & Takeaways, IDC
1:30 pm
Close of Event
Speakers
Matt Eastwood
SVP, World Wide Research
IDC
Read Bio
Harish Dunakhe
Senior Research Director, Software & Cloud (META)
IDC
Read Bio
Shilpi Handa
Associate Research Director (META)
IDC
Read Bio
Matt Eastwood
IDC
SVP, World Wide Research
Matt Eastwood is Senior Vice President of IDC’s enterprise infrastructure, cloud, telecom, security, developers, channels and enabling technology research groups. Mr. Eastwood and his team research people, process and technology trends affecting the enterprise technology marketplace worldwide. Mr. Eastwood first joined IDC in 2000 as part of the server team and his responsibilities have evolved and expanded during his tenure. In his current role, he leads a team of more than 100 analysts providing insights and analysis to IT suppliers, buyers, investors, and distributors through more than 75 syndicated research programs. Mr. Eastwood also leads IDC’s BuyerView primary research programs which are focused on defining emerging trends in cloud, developers, service providers, edge, AI and security.
Mr. Eastwood joined IDC in 2000. He provides in-depth market analysis, research, and consulting on all aspects of the enterprise infrastructure marketplace to IT professionals, investors, resellers and technology suppliers. During his tenure at IDC, Mr. Eastwood has led IDC primary research focused on emerging trends in enterprise systems and data centers. This primary research allows IDC to make continuous assessments regarding how customers are deploying and using enterprise infrastructure power digital transformation. Recent topics covered in Mr. Eastwood’s research include: Software Defined Infrastructure, Integrated infrastructure, Convergence, Disaggregated Infrastructure, Virtualization & Automation, Cloud Computing, High Availability, Platform Migration and Datacenter Workloads. Mr. Eastwood also serves as IDC’s lead analyst covering Dell and VMware.
Prior to joining IDC, Mr. Eastwood worked for twelve years as a senior project manager and environmental consultant at CDM Smith in Boston. Mr. Eastwood was responsible for managing the planning and design of large environmental infrastructure projects including wastewater collection and treatment facilities. In addition, Mr. Eastwood served as Operations Manager of the firm’s New England practice.
Mr. Eastwood received a bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston and earned his MS in Engineering Project Management from WPI in Worcester, MA. He is a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Massachusetts.
Harish Dunakhe
IDC
Senior Research Director, Software & Cloud (META)
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.
Shilpi Handa
IDC
Associate Research Director (META)
