IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024

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8:00	Registration & Networking
8:30	Event Opening by Magical Hosts
8:45	IDC Welcome Address
	Jyoti Lalchandani Group Vice President & Regional Managing Director (META), IDC
8:55	Advisory Council Felicitation
9:10	IDC Opening Keynote: Rethinking Digitalization with GenAI for an AI-First World
	As generative AI (GenAI) unleashes a new wave of disruption across industries, tech leaders are reviewing their approach to automation and its role in their digitalization strategies. The promise of a significant impact on digital innovation, customer experience, and operational efficiencies will drive progressive governments and digitally determined organizations to embrace an AI-first approach. This session will provide tech leaders with guidance on key considerations for building value in their organizations with automation and GenAI. It will also outline a process for establishing use cases, developing the appropriate organization, and better managing risks. Steven Frantzen Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director (EMEA), IDC
9:40	Dubai Cyber Resilience: Navigating Generative AI Impacts and Security Trends
	In the dynamic realm of technology, the convergence of cybersecurity and generative AI emerges as a pivotal focus for global entities. While offering proactive solutions for threat detection, generative AI also introduces vulnerabilities ripe for exploitation. Dubai, a tech powerhouse, prioritizes innovative cybersecurity measures to counteract these risks. With a strategic approach and investments, Dubai champions a resilient cyber infrastructure, navigating the delicate equilibrium between innovation and security. Through initiatives like the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy, the city asserts its proactive stance in shaping a secure digital future amidst evolving threats. Dr. Bushra Al Blooshi Advisor Chief Executive, Dubai Electronic Security Center (UAE)
9:50	Charting the Future: The Revolutionizing Potentials of AI
	Miguel A. Villalonga COO, e& enterprise
10:10	Elevating Digital Business with Cloud: Beyond Optimization to GenAI and Sustainability
	This session explores the pivotal role of cloud as the bedrock for digital business success. Discover how cloud's significance extends beyond IT optimization to encompass crucial aspects such as new generative AI models and corporate initiatives such as sustainability. Join us to learn how leveraging cloud can unlock new opportunities and drive transformative outcomes in the digital landscape. Umashankar Kotturu Global Practice Lead, Cloud Consulting & Advisory, Tech Mahindra
10:30	Preparing for Success in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
	Dr. Abdulla Al Shimmari Senior Director-Program Management, Core42
10:55	Developing Competitive Advantage Through Enterprise Intelligence
	Adrian Pickering Regional General Manager MENA, Red Hat Maurits Tichelman Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Communications Group, Intel Corporation
11:10	Accelerating Time To Value from Your AI Investments: From AI Spend to Business Impact
	As spend on AI initiatives continues to accelerate, business and IT leaders alike are beginning to scrutinize the true ROI of AI investments and arriving at the realization that AI everywhere doesn't always equal value everywhere. However, a number of organizations are achieving significant and tangible value from their AI initiatives. This session will focus on the practices setting these successful companies apart and propose a framework designed to help attendees accelerate time to value from their AI initiatives and answer critical questions such as "What is our organization’s strategy and narrative around AI?" - "Where is the money to be made from AI?" and "Which AI capabilities do I build vs. buy? Jad Hammoud Vice President–Go To Market Strategy, ZainTECH
11:25	A Leader's Guide to Generative AI
	Using history to shape the future - Generative AI is increasingly a point of focus globally. Scalability of the cloud, a massive proliferation of data, and the rapid advancement of ML technologies have positioned AI for wide-scale adoption. History, however, has taught us that realizing the value of transformational technologies isn’t always a linear process. It requires leadership, cultural shift, operating model changes, and investments in new skills. In this session, AWS enterprise strategists, a team of former CXOs, share lessons learned from past major technological shifts, how leaders can apply them to generative AI, and the differentiated approach that AWS is taking to democratize generative AI. Jonathan Allen Director of Enterprise Strategy, AWS
11:45	Tea / Coffee & Networking Break
12:00 12:40	Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions)
	Track 1: The Rise of Cyber Vulnerabilities with Digital Dependencies 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview John Mankarios Vice President of IT, QInvest LLC 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Apple Watch Courtesy: EDB 12:10 - 12:19 Elevating digital frontiers in IT & OT Amid the ever-evolving digital transformation landscape and IT/OT convergence, modern organizations face challenges on multiple frontiers. Technological advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics are allowing the information technology world to influence the operational world. While IT/OT convergence provides new possibilities by merging business processes and insights, it also spawns new adversaries. At OPSWAT, we solve modern organizations' challenges and shut off major attack vectors by providing state-of-the-art, purpose-built Critical Infrastructure Protection technology, providing a single uniform platform that can address the risks that arise in an IT/OT convergence environment. Our products focus on threat prevention and process creation for secure data transfer and safe device access. The result is productive systems that minimize the risk of compromise. Saif Al Refai Sales Engineering Lead for METAP and CIS, OPSWAT 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple Watch Courtesy: OPSWAT 12:20 - 12:29 Enhancing Human-Centric Cybersecurity with AI and Automation Insights into how SecurityHQ as a global MSSP are leveraging AI and automation to scale their operations for customers worldwide. Aaron Hambleton Regional Director, SecurityHQ 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Security HQ 12:30 - 12:39 Digital Employee Experience and IT’s role in it Global economic shifts, evolving cyberthreats, and war for talent all intensify demands on IT & Security Operations to rapidly innovate and accelerate growth. CIOs have invested in digital transformation initiatives to counter these pressures. Digital Employee Experience (DEX), is one key area that positively impacts productivity, talent acquisition and retention, security, operational agility and ultimately business growth. In this session, we’ll focus on why it’s critical to prioritize DEX to unlock digital dividends and overall business outcomes. Rabih Choucair Channel Manager, Ivanti 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 2:Enabling Elevated Digital Experiences at Scale 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Srinivasan Sampath Acting Group Chief Technology Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Apple AirPods Courtesy: EMT 12:10 - 12:19 Intelligent Automation for Next-Generation Citizen Experience As the public sector continues the journey to digital government, the focus on citizen experience remains a core strategy pillar. However, many public administrations continue to struggle, either with achieving initial breakthroughs or in accelerating early successes, despite the increased attention and associated investments. Intelligent automation can break that logjam and accelerate success by enabling constituents to self-serve and empowering agents to deliver personalized service whilst improving operational efficiency and boosting cost savings. Ahmad Saad Regional Sales Manager, Liferay 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:20 - 12:29 Revolutionize Service Management with GenAI: Paving the Way for Exceptional EX With the ever-changing landscape of emerging technologies and rising employee expectations, how do you balance the demand to continuously elevate service experiences with the need to optimize costs and ensure future proofing? As IT teams across the globe are tasked with the challenge of doing more with less, GenAI has emerged as the undeniable force multiplier — but not without its share of skepticism and concerns. Join Freshworks to delve deeper into GenAI’s potential, misconceptions, and the strategic vision required to build higher-performing teams. Karthik Chandra Akula Regional Sales Head, Freshworks 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 Managing Cybersecurity Risk In Rapidly Changing Digital World Enterprises across the world are focusing on implementing their digital strategy to thrive in this hyperconnected world and enhance the end user experience by simplifying the way they connect with their consumers, partners, and suppliers. However, the more we’ll rely on sophisticated technologies to upscale, the more we’ll be vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. And it’s crucial to know how we must manage the cybersecurity risk to survive & grow. Sandeep Sachdev Director Sales, Enterprise Cybersecurity & MSS, Tata Communications 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 3: Supporting AI-first Strategies for Digital Business Transformation 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Wilson Xavier Senior Research Director, Telecom & IT Services (META), IDC 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Mont Blanc Passport Covers 12:10 - 12:19 Leveraging AI to Drive Process Automation: A Strategic Roadmap for Digital Transformation Sathya Srinivasan Area Vice President, Solutions Consultant, Appian 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle - Airpods Courtesy: Appian 12:20 - 12:29 From Buzzwords to Boardrooms: Making AI Work for Your Enterprise Remember the days when "cloud computing" was a nebulous buzzword? Now, it's the backbone of modern business. Enterprise AI is about to follow suit. Forget flying cars and robot overlords; we're talking real-world, revenue-generating applications that transform how your business operates. From intelligent data analysis that fuels smarter decision-making to hyper-personalized customer experiences that drive loyalty, AI is no longer a futuristic gimmick – it's a strategic imperative. But navigating the landscape of enterprise AI services can be daunting. Vendors bombard you with promises, management consultants throw around acronyms, and you're left wondering: where do I even begin? This session cuts through the noise and delivers a practical roadmap for unlocking the power of AI in your organization. I'll shed a light into real-world case studies, provide a glimpse into the diverse range of available services, and equip you with some insights to help you identify the solutions that best fit your specific needs and challenges. Leave with a clear vision for how to leverage AI to streamline operations, optimize productivity, and gain a competitive edge. This isn't about sci-fi fantasies; it's about tangible business results. Forget the hype, forget the buzzwords – this session is about empowering you to take control of your AI journey and unlock its transformative potential for your enterprise. Dr. Dani Abu Ghaida Chief Digital Officer (MEA), Crayon 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 Architecting the Future: Leveraging Kubernetes & Generative AI to Build High-Performing Digital Businesses. In this enlightening keynote address, we will delve into how the fastest-growing companies in the world are transforming their businesses by architecing their development & data-science workflows around Kubernetes & Generative AI. With this approach, we will highlight how companies in the financial services, healthcare, digital industries and government services are unlocking a new era of efficiency, scalability, and innovation, delivering new capabilities to their customers faster than ever before. Be prepared to gain insights into the strategic deployment of these technologies, paving the way for a future where organizations seamlessly navigate the complexities of the cloud with agility and intelligence. Haseeb Budhani CEO & Co-Founder, Rafay Systems 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 4: AI, Data and Analytics:The Driving Forces of Digital Transformation 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Yogesh Gupta Editorial Director - Events, India & META, Foundry 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Apple AirPods Courtesy: Qlik 12:10 - 12:19 Tried and Tested Lessons: Key Takeaways from Conversational AI Implementations Embark on your AI journey with caution! Uncover the potential pitfalls lurking beneath the surface of implementation. From misunderstood contexts to unforeseen biases, navigate the challenges that can hinder the seamless implementation of your bot. Join us in decoding the pitfalls of bot implementations, understand the nuanced differences between bot and intelligent virtual assistant, and how you can avoid these pitfalls plus ensure a smooth, error-free transition into the world of intelligent virtual assistants built on Conversational AI principles to deliver extraordinary outcomes and business growth. We have some unique customer success stories to share with you. Swati Varma Director-Sales, Kore.ai Farida Montasser CX Consultant, IST Networks 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:20 - 12:29 Unlocking AI Potential for Intelligent Document Processing In today's fast-paced business environment, the sheer volume and variety of documents that organizations deal with can be overwhelming. The increasing complexity and business importance of documents create bottlenecks in traditional processing methods. From invoices and contracts to KYC compliance and forms, manually handling documents is evidently time-consuming, error-prone, and resource-intensive. This is where tailored AI solutions come into play, transforming the landscape of document processing. Join us for our session at the IDC CIO Summit 2024, where we'll explore Iron Mountain's successful implementation of an AI-powered Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) solution, revolutionizing the processing of customs documents. Mihails Balonuskovs Digital Solutions Architect, Iron Mountain 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 AI Meets Content Automation: Revolutionize How Your Business Harnesses Information. Is your business wasting thousands of hours every year on finding information and manually processing documents and tasks – only to discover major gaps in your information basis? Join my session to understand how you can digitize, connect, harness AI, and automate your business’ most precious resource – its information – to streamline operations and empower decision-making. AbdulRahman Mahgoub Territory Manager, SER 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle
12:01 12:40	Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions)
	Track 5: Beyond Conventional: Harnessing AI for Next-Generation Security 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Nikunj Desai Head of Cybersecurity, Commercial Bank of Qatar 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Mont Blanc Passport Covers 12:10 - 12:19 The Truth Behind the Hype and How SOC Teams Can Fight Back Effectively protecting against existing and emerging threats – AI-powered or not – security teams need a fundamentally different approach. During this session Fortinet experts as they discuss the hype around AI and ML, how attackers are leveraging these technologies to further their goals, and how security teams and decision makers can protect against these techniques by leveraging AI and ML tools themselves. Tony Zabaneh Manager Systems Engineering, South Middle East, Fortinet 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:20 - 12:29 The Road Ahead for AI-Interlaced IT Management AI is becoming an essential component of IT management, particularly in enhancing the security posture. Ensuring robust cybersecurity is as crucial as leveraging AI for business longevity. In this session, we will discuss the pivotal role of AI in tackling IT security challenges, offering insights into how AI impacts comprehensive IT strategies — from advanced threat detection to improved security response. We will also delve into effective ways to integrate these AI technologies to fortify cybersecurity defenses. Join us to navigate the future of AI in IT, where security is at the forefront of technological advancement and business success. Yeshwanthi Ramesh AI Evangelist, ManageEngine 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 Identity First: Shaping the Future of Cyber Defense Nicolai Solling CTO, Help AG, An e& enterprise company 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 6:Strategies for the Intelligent Enterprise – Best Practices for Application Transformation and Analytics 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Shahin Hashim Associate Research Director (META), IDC 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Mont Blanc Passport Covers 12:10 - 12:19 How Should AI Fit into the ERP Ecosystem to Maximize ROI? AI can offer significant benefits for ERP systems, enabling simpler process automation, better decision-making, and improved user experiences. Should these AI capabilities be developed inside the ERP ecosystem using the vendor's platform or outside, on the corporate data platform? Come to this session to learn about the intersection of AI and the back-office ERP. We will explore the trade-offs, costs, and ROI of different strategies for you to consider in your AI evolution. Tyler Munger Vice President, Analytics, Global Operations, Rimini Street 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:20 - 12:29 The Future of Enterprise Analytics It has become abundantly clear that artificial intelligence will power the future. Enterprise analytics will, too, which is increasingly being fueled by AI. Join Anique Hakkim from Alteryx who will be sharing how AI Platform for Enterprise Analytics will enable customers to innovate, automate and drive important business outcomes across their organizations. Anique Hakkim Sales Engineer, Alteryx 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 Enterprise Low Code for Ambitious Digitalization Goals Wilco Leenders Architecture Solution Team Lead, Mendix 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 7: Best Practices for Managing and Scaling Hybrid Digital Infrastructure in the AI Everywhere Era 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Harish Dunakhe Senior Research Director, Software & Cloud (META), IDC 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Mont Blanc Passport Covers 12:10 - 12:19 Navigating the New Frontier The IT industry is currently witnessing unprecedented change and disruption. Navigating this change in an AI, hybrid cloud, and software defined future will require the support of trusted technology partners. Join us for a quick overview of what the change is and how organizations can prepare themselves for the new IT frontier. Lee Caswell SVP, Product and Solutions Marketing, Nutanix 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Nutanix 12:20 - 12:29 Modernize and protect your data center with the world's leading storage powerhouses Discover how to shrink your storage footprint by up to 19x, reduce your cooling costs by up to 11x, and give your data center the ability to handle multiple workloads, petabytes of data, and thousands of end users with our feature-rich lineup of all-flash arrays and leading cloud connectivity. Farid Najjar Partner Leader, NetApp 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 Accelerating Digital Transformation Join Datadog for a discussion on the critical factors driving digital transformation. In this enlightening session, we'll delve into the essential considerations and strategic decisions crucial for success in today's dynamic tech environment. From cloud migration to app modernization and DevSecOps collaboration, we'll draw upon insights from over 26,000+ Datadog customers to illustrate how organizations can expedite time to market, bolster security, and streamline operations through a unified platform empowered by Datadog. Join us as we untangle the intricacies and chart a path toward a robust digital future, where reducing time to problem resolution, fortifying apps and infrastructure, and tracking key business metrics converge seamlessly within the Datadog platform. Fahim Ghaffar Vice President, Sales Engineering, Datadog 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 8: Data Strategies for the AI-first Enterprise 12:00 - 12:05 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 12:05 - 12:08 Moderator Overview Jebin George Senior Research Manager, Software, Cloud, and Industry Transformation, IDC MEA 12:08 - 12:10 Start of the Session - Mont Blanc Passport Covers 12:10 - 12:19 Beyond Big Data: The Art of Data Products in Data Economy It has been more than a decade since the last Big Data Boom and there is a growing need for data ecosystems on topics such as Scalability, Cost Effectiveness, Discoverability, Governance and Interoperability. Today we live in a world where cross team and cross organisation collaboration has become a key point in the Data Economy. With the advent of unified data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, DataOS, Pentaho, etc.), concepts such as Data Mesh, Data Products, Data Contracts, etc. are playing a pivotal role in addressing all the major issues. Dr. Balaji Muthusubramanian Head of Data Practices, StackNexus 12:19 - 12:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:20 - 12:29 Radical Resilience to Keep Your Business Running Organizations should be enabled to complete their cyber-resiliency strategies with best in class data security, data recovery, and data freedom applications. Flexible recovery options are essential for quickly recovering from any cyberattack. Access to clean, reliable backups also allow organizations to get back to business without paying any ransom. Islam Afifi Regional Presales Manager, Veeam Software 12:29 - 12:30 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 12:30 - 12:39 Why Data Streaming is Key to the AI & Gen AI Trend To thrive in the evolving AI landscape, it is essential to steer clear of obstacles posed by outdated data-at-rest architectures. Instead, you should construct your contemporary AI framework on dynamic, real-time data. Achieving real-time AI requires trustworthy, relevant data served at the moment for smarter, faster insights. This is why data streaming is emerging as the fundamental infrastructure for the modern AI stack, so you can build powerful AI applications. Ayman Darwish Enterprise Account Executive Middle East, Confluent 12:39 - 12:40 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle
12:40 13:30	Summit Tracks (Parallel Sessions)
	Summit Track A: Managing Cloud Complexity and Outcomes in the Future AI Everywhere Environment 12:40 - 12:45 Opening Act - Fusion Fiesta 12:45 - 12:47 Session Overview Paul Potgieter Director, Technology & Digital Platforms, NEOM 12:47 - 12:50 Start of Session Raffle: Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 12:50 - 13:05 Opportunities with Generative AI in Observability Solutions As applications and infrastructure grow ever more complex, the amount of data being processed — and the number of metrics used for monitoring and managing that data — has exploded. Leveraging of AI and machine learning to make sense out of data has become a necessity, with organizations increasingly using the technology for automatic root cause analysis to support humans at work. Generative AI opens new use cases and opportunities to help organizations to fulfill this promise, and its combination with business insights will provide a real-time view across applications that was never possible before. Roman Spitzbart Vice President of Solutions Engineering, Dynatrace 13:05 - 13:10 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple AirTag 13:10 - 13:25 Fireside Chat: CxO Insights: Unveiling 2024 Strategies, Priorities, and AI Integration Srinivasan Sampath Acting Group Chief Technology Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank Jyoti Lalchandani Group Vice President & Regional Managing Director (META), IDC 13:25 - 13:30 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes Summit Track B: Leveraging Next-Generation Data and AI Technologies in the Intelligent Enterprise 12:40 - 12:45 Opening Act - Fusion Fiesta 12:45 - 12:47 Session Overview Kenneth Lindegaard Group CIO, Etihad Rail 12:47 - 12:50 Start of Session Raffle: Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 12:50 - 13:05 NextGen Data Integration Next-generation data integration refers to the evolution of traditional data integration methods to meet the demands of modern, complex, and rapidly changing data landscapes. It involves the adoption of advanced technologies, methodologies, and strategies to ensure more efficient, flexible, and real-time integration of data across various sources. Next-generation data integration aims to address the challenges posed by the increasing volume, variety, and velocity of data by embracing innovative technologies and methodologies. This session will explain how organizations can derive more value from their data assets in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Dr. Alexey Sidorov Chief Evangelist, Denodo 13:05 - 13:10 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 13:10 - 13:25 Transform Your Business with GenAI Join Google Cloud to learn about Gemini and the latest advances in generative AI that can unlock new potential applications for your business. In this session, you will discover answers to the following questions: • What is Gemini? Why is multimodal AI a game changer? • How can you combine the best of commercial and open source GenAI? • Why do you need an enterprise-ready platform? • How can you democratize GenAI across the enterprise? • What are the key applications and use cases for GenAI? • How can you build your GenAI journey on a safe, secure, and reliable infrastructure? Ahmad El Sayed AI Practice Lead, Google Cloud 13:25 - 13:30 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple AirTag
13:30	Tea / Coffee & Networking Break
13:40 14:20	Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions)
	Track 1: The Rise of Cyber Vulnerabilities with Digital Dependencies 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview John Mankarios Vice President of IT, QInvest LLC 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Nescafe Dolce Gusto Machine 13:50 - 13:59 Elevating digital frontiers in IT & OT Amid the ever-evolving digital transformation landscape and IT/OT convergence, modern organizations face challenges on multiple frontiers. Technological advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics are allowing the information technology world to influence the operational world. While IT/OT convergence provides new possibilities by merging business processes and insights, it also spawns new adversaries. At OPSWAT, we solve modern organizations' challenges and shut off major attack vectors by providing state-of-the-art, purpose-built Critical Infrastructure Protection technology, providing a single uniform platform that can address the risks that arise in an IT/OT convergence environment. Our products focus on threat prevention and process creation for secure data transfer and safe device access. The result is productive systems that minimize the risk of compromise. Saif Al Refai Sales Engineering Lead for METAP and CIS, OPSWAT 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple Watch Courtesy: OPSWAT 14:00 - 14:09 Enhancing Human-Centric Cybersecurity with AI and Automation Insights into how SecurityHQ as a global MSSP are leveraging AI and automation to scale their operations for customers worldwide. Aaron Hambleton Regional Director, SecurityHQ 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Security HQ 14:10 - 14:19 Digital Employee Experience and IT’s role in it Global economic shifts, evolving cyberthreats, and war for talent all intensify demands on IT & Security Operations to rapidly innovate and accelerate growth. CIOs have invested in digital transformation initiatives to counter these pressures. Digital Employee Experience (DEX), is one key area that positively impacts productivity, talent acquisition and retention, security, operational agility and ultimately business growth. In this session, we’ll focus on why it’s critical to prioritize DEX to unlock digital dividends and overall business outcomes. Rabih Choucair Channel Manager, Ivanti 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 2:Enabling Elevated Digital Experiences at Scale 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Ronita Bhattacharjee Vice President Conferences (META), IDC 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Nescafe Dolce Gusto Machine 13:50 - 13:59 Intelligent Automation for Next Generation Citizen Experience As the public sector continues the journey to digital government, the focus on citizen experience remains a core strategy pillar. However, many public administrations continue to struggle, either with achieving initial breakthroughs or in accelerating early successes, despite the increased attention and associated investments. Intelligent Automation can break that logjam and accelerate success by enabling constituents to self-serve and empowering agents to deliver personalized service whilst improving operational efficiency and boosting cost savings. Ahmad Saad Regional Sales Manager, Liferay 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:00 - 14:09 Revolutionize Service Management with Gen AI: Paving the Way for Exceptional EX With the ever-changing landscape of emerging technologies and rising employee expectations, how do you balance continuously elevating service experiences with optimizing costs and future-proofing? As IT teams across the globe are tasked with the challenge of doing more with less, GenAI has emerged as the undeniable force multiplier --- but not without its share of skepticism and concerns. Join Freshworks to delve deeper into GenAI’s potential, misconceptions, and the strategic vision required to build higher-performing teams. Karthik Chandra Akula Regional Sales Head, Freshworks 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 Beyond the Buzz: AI-Infused Customer Experiences In the digital era, superior customer experience (CX) is paramount. The integration of AI into customer interactions has become a game-changer, allowing organizations to deliver personalized and efficient experiences at scale. The innovative use of AI can empower businesses to not only meet but exceed CX in an increasingly digital world. This session examines a tailored, one-stop-shop solution that delivers simplified and secure digital buying experiences, supports business transformation ambitions, and meets customers’ growing expectations. Among its many features, this suite can identify information in live calls and prompt agents with suggestions for responses to customer queries. It harnesses the power of AI to analyze customer interactions in real time, providing valuable insights that organizations can leverage to enhance their service strategies. This transformative solution empowers businesses to adapt to evolving customer needs and preferences, ensuring a seamless and delightful customer journey. Pawan Pachori Associate Director Sales, Enterprises Customer Experience, Tata Communications 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 3: Supporting AI-first Strategies for Digital Business Transformation 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Wilson Xavier Senior Research Director, Telecom & IT Services (META), IDC 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Nescafe Dolce Gusto Machine 13:50 - 13:59 Leveraging AI to Drive Process Automation: A Strategic Roadmap for Digital Transformation Sathya Srinivasan Area Vice President, Solutions Consultant, Appian 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle - Airpods Courtesy: Appian 14:00 - 14:09 From Buzzwords to Boardrooms: Making AI Work for Your Enterprise Remember the days when "cloud computing" was a nebulous buzzword? Now, it's the backbone of modern business. Enterprise AI is about to follow suit. Forget flying cars and robot overlords; we're talking real-world, revenue-generating applications that transform how your business operates. From intelligent data analysis that fuels smarter decision-making to hyper-personalized customer experiences that drive loyalty, AI is no longer a futuristic gimmick – it's a strategic imperative. But navigating the landscape of enterprise AI services can be daunting. Vendors bombard you with promises, management consultants throw around acronyms, and you're left wondering: where do I even begin? This session cuts through the noise and delivers a practical roadmap for unlocking the power of AI in your organization. I'll shed a light into real-world case studies, provide a glimpse into the diverse range of available services, and equip you with some insights to help you identify the solutions that best fit your specific needs and challenges. Leave with a clear vision for how to leverage AI to streamline operations, optimize productivity, and gain a competitive edge. This isn't about sci-fi fantasies; it's about tangible business results. Forget the hype, forget the buzzwords – this session is about empowering you to take control of your AI journey and unlock its transformative potential for your enterprise. Dr. Dani Abu Ghaida Chief Digital Officer (MEA), Crayon 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 Architecting the Future: Leveraging Kubernetes & Generative AI to Build High-Performing Digital Businesses. In this enlightening keynote address, we will delve into how the fastest-growing companies in the world are transforming their businesses by architecing their development & data-science workflows around Kubernetes & Generative AI. With this approach, we will highlight how companies in the financial services, healthcare, digital industries and government services are unlocking a new era of efficiency, scalability, and innovation, delivering new capabilities to their customers faster than ever before. Be prepared to gain insights into the strategic deployment of these technologies, paving the way for a future where organizations seamlessly navigate the complexities of the cloud with agility and intelligence. Haseeb Budhani CEO & Co-Founder, Rafay Systems 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 4: AI, Data and Analytics:The Driving Forces of Digital Transformation 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Yogesh Gupta Editorial Director - Events, India & META, Foundry 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Nescafe Dolce Gusto Machine 13:50 - 13:59 Tried and Tested Lessons: Key Takeaways from Conversational AI Implementations Embark on your AI journey with caution! Uncover the potential pitfalls lurking beneath the surface of implementation. From misunderstood contexts to unforeseen biases, navigate the challenges that can hinder the seamless implementation of your bot. Join us in decoding the pitfalls of bot implementations, understand the nuanced differences between bot and intelligent virtual assistant, and how you can avoid these pitfalls plus ensure a smooth, error-free transition into the world of intelligent virtual assistants built on Conversational AI principles to deliver extraordinary outcomes and business growth. We have some unique customer success stories to share with you. Swati Varma Director-Sales, Kore.ai Farida Montasser CX Consultant, IST Networks 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:00 - 14:09 Efficiency Unleashed: Harnessing the Power of AI for Document Processing Excellence In today's fast-paced business environment, organizations grapple with the daunting task of managing a vast array of documents. Manual processing methods often lead to inefficiencies, errors, and resource drain. Enter tailored AI solutions, offering a transformative approach to document management. By leveraging advanced analytics and AI, these solutions excel in extracting crucial business information from various document formats and layouts. Furthermore, they automate processes, validate details accurately, provide real-time insights, and structured recommendations for business actions, enhancing operational efficiency. In embracing AI for intelligent document processing, organizations not only overcome document complexity and volume challenges but also gain a strategic advantage. This session will explore Iron Mountain's successful implementation of an AI-powered intelligent document processing (IDP) solution, revolutionizing the processing of taxation documents. Beshoy Fouad Digital Solutions Manager, Iron Mountain 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 AI Meets Content Automation: Revolutionize How Your Business Harnesses Information. Is your business wasting thousands of hours every year on finding information and manually processing documents and tasks – only to discover major gaps in your information basis? Join my session to understand how you can digitize, connect, harness AI, and automate your business’ most precious resource – its information – to streamline operations and empower decision-making. AbdulRahman Mahgoub Territory Manager, SER 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle
13:41 14:20	Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions)
	Track 5: Beyond Conventional: Harnessing AI for Next-Generation Security 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Nikunj Desai Head of Cybersecurity, Commercial Bank of Qatar 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Smart TV 13:50 - 13:59 The Truth Behind the Hype and How SOC Teams Can Fight Back Effectively protecting against existing and emerging threats – AI-powered or not – security teams need a fundamentally different approach. During this session Fortinet experts as they discuss the hype around AI and ML, how attackers are leveraging these technologies to further their goals, and how security teams and decision makers can protect against these techniques by leveraging AI and ML tools themselves. Tony Zabaneh Manager Systems Engineering, South Middle East, Fortinet 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:00 - 14:09 The Road Ahead for AI-Interlaced IT Management AI is becoming an essential component in IT management, particularly in enhancing the security posture. Ensuring robust cybersecurity is as crucial as leveraging AI for business longevity. In this session, we will discuss the pivotal role of AI in tackling IT security challenges, offering insights into how AI impacts comprehensive IT strategies - from advanced threat detection to improved security response. We will also delve into effective ways to integrate these AI technologies to fortify cybersecurity defenses. Join us to navigate the future of AI in IT, where security is at the forefront of technological advancement and business success. Yeshwanthi Ramesh AI Evangelist, ManageEngine 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 The Future of CX: From Data to Delight - A CIO's Guide to Intelligent Customer Journey Mapping Ahmed A. Omer Senior Director Cloud Communications, e& enterprise 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 6: Strategies for the intelligent enterprise – best practices for application transformation and analytics 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Shahin Hashim Associate Research Director (META), IDC 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Smart TV 13:50 - 13:59 Better and Faster AI Outcomes in Your ERP At the same time, ERP systems are significant IT investments with long-term roadmaps. IT leaders need to be able to adapt to new technologies while maximizing value from existing ERP investments. This session will delve into creating an AI roadmap for your ERP system that maximizes business ROI. We will explore how to identify high-value use cases for AI, risks and common pitfalls, and strategies for maintaining agility in an ever-changing landscape. Tyler Munger Vice President, Analytics, Global Operations, Rimini Street 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:00 - 14:09 The Future of Enterprise Analytics It has become abundantly clear that artificial intelligence will power the future. Enterprise analytics will, too, which is increasingly being fueled by AI. Join Anique Hakkim from Alteryx who will be sharing how AI Platform for Enterprise Analytics will enable customers to innovate, automate and drive important business outcomes across their organizations. Anique Hakkim Sales Engineer, Alteryx 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 Enterprise Low Code for Ambitious Digitalization Goals Low Code is booming. With organizations launching evermore ambitious digitalization initiatives, Low Code is becoming more and more strategic to them. With currently more than 800+ Low Code platforms being tracked, selecting the right one or ones is not straightforward. Fortunately, Low Code platforms can be categorized to help comparing the right ‘type’ of Low Code platform during an evaluation. Knowing the right ‘type’ of Low Code platform your organization requires is key! This session will talk about Enterprise Low Code platforms. When to consider them, or maybe when not to. Specifically why organizations have made Mendix their Enterprise Low Code platform of choice. Wilco Leenders Architecture Solution Team Lead, Mendix 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 7: Best practices for managing and scaling hybrid digital infrastructure in the AI Everywhere Era 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Harish Dunakhe Senior Research Director, Software & Cloud (META), IDC 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Smart TV 13:50 - 13:59 Navigating the New Frontier The IT industry is currently witnessing unprecedented change and disruption. Navigating this change in an AI, hybrid cloud, and software defined future will require the support of trusted technology partners. Join us for a quick overview of what the change is and how organizations can prepare themselves for the new IT frontier. Lee Caswell SVP, Product and Solutions Marketing, Nutanix 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Nutanix 14:00 - 14:09 Modernize and protect your data center with the world's leading storage powerhouses Discover how to shrink your storage footprint by up to 19x, reduce your cooling costs by up to 11x, and give your data center the ability to handle multiple workloads, petabytes of data, and thousands of end users with our feature-rich lineup of all-flash arrays and leading cloud connectivity. Farid Najjar Partner Leader, NetApp 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 Accelerating Digital Transformation Join Datadog for a discussion on the critical factors driving digital transformation. In this enlightening session, we'll delve into the essential considerations and strategic decisions crucial for success in today's dynamic tech environment. From cloud migration to app modernization and DevSecOps collaboration, we'll draw upon insights from over 26,000+ Datadog customers to illustrate how organizations can expedite time to market, bolster security, and streamline operations through a unified platform empowered by Datadog. Join us as we untangle the intricacies and chart a path toward a robust digital future, where reducing time to problem resolution, fortifying apps and infrastructure, and tracking key business metrics converge seamlessly within the Datadog platform. Fahim Ghaffar Vice President, Sales Engineering, Datadog 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle Track 8: Data Strategies for the AI-first Enterprise 13:40 - 13:45 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 13:45 - 13:48 Moderator Overview Jebin George Senior Research Manager, Software, Cloud, and Industry Transformation, IDC MEA 13:48 - 13:50 Start of the Session Raffle - Smart TV 13:50 - 13:59 Empowering organisations through white box AI models The boom on AI and large language models in 2023, helped many organizations automate and optimise their operations. However, there is a growing concern on security, reliability, and ethical usage of Artificial Intelligence. This is mainly due to the growing Oligopoly of proprietary blackbox models such as Bard, Gemini and GPT4. Dr. Balaji Muthusubramanian Head of Data Practices, StackNexus 13:59 - 14:00 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:00 - 14:09 Radical Resilience to Keep Your Business Running Organizations should be enabled to complete their cyber-resiliency strategies with best in class data security, data recovery, and data freedom applications. Flexible recovery options are essential for quickly recovering from any cyberattack. Access to clean, reliable backups also allow organizations to get back to business without paying any ransom. Islam Afifi Regional Presales Manager, Veeam Software 14:09 - 14:10 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle 14:10 - 14:19 Why Data Streaming is Key to the AI & Gen AI Trend To thrive in the evolving AI landscape, it is essential to steer clear of obstacles posed by outdated data-at-rest architectures. Instead, you should construct your contemporary AI framework on dynamic, real-time data. Achieving real-time AI requires trustworthy, relevant data served at the moment for smarter, faster insights. This is why data streaming is emerging as the fundamental infrastructure for the modern AI stack, so you can build powerful AI applications. Ayman Darwish Enterprise Account Executive Middle East, Confluent 14:19 - 14:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win a Raffle
14:20 14:50	For The CIO- By The CIO Tracks (Parallel Sessions)
	Track A: Talent Development and the Demand for New Skills: How Do You Structure Your Team Optimally? 14:20 - 14:50 Talent Development and the Demand for New Skills: How Do You Structure Your Team Optimally? IT organizations are having to transform themselves to meet the evolving needs of the future enterprise, and CIOs are increasingly being tasked with leading this transformation as IT becomes the enterprise operating system. As the world of work continues to evolve and organizations shift to hybrid work models, new challenges and opportunities present themselves. George Harrak Chief Information Officer, Al Hilal Bank (UAE) Dr. Ali Al Sanousi Executive Director, Clinical Information Systems, Hamad Medical Corporation Dr. Salim Al-Shuaili Director, Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Technology Projects Unit, Oman's Ministry of Transportation & Information Technology Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem Al Zaabi Director of Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and AI, Abu Dhabi Government Dr. Ammar H. Al Husaini Acting Director General, Central Agency for Information Technology (Kuwait) Eng. Ali Alwehaibi General Manager, Planning & Digital Excellence, Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development Track B: Maximizing IT Performance with the Right IT Operating Models 14:20 - 14:50 Maximizing IT Performance with the Right IT Operating Models Organizations are in a state of perpetual evolution toward everything digital, with the IT function evolving with it. CIOs must keep up and stay ahead, implementing models that enable high-velocity change, consistent governance, and a comprehensive talent strategy. If implemented correctly, organizations can reap massive rewards from maximized IT performance, including increased efficiency, improved risk management, clearly defined roles, and improved cost effectiveness. However, change management involves significant risk, and a failed IT transformation can be highly detrimental to the entire organization, making a clearly defined IT operating model vital to helping the organization remain agile moving forward. Jason Roos Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KSA) Saket Saith Group Chief Technology & Data Officer, RAKBANK Ahmed Al Zarouni VP Head of IT, Government Entity Majid Jan Chief Information Officer, Petromin Corporation Mohamed El Sabbagh CIO, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Binoo Joseph Chief IT Officer, Cenomi Group Track C: Realizing Optimal Business Value from IT 14:20 - 14:50 Realizing Optimal Business Value from IT Since building a digital business is now an imperative for success, the role of IT and CIOs in business transformation strategies and initiatives has become more critical than ever before. They are responsible for putting together a technology mesh that fits the exact needs of their organizations, creating an infrastructure that delivers optimal business value. However, this can only be realized by aligning with LOBs on the business impact of technology initiatives and establishing KPIs/metrics for business outcomes from digital transformation projects that show the real value and contribution of IT to business transformation initiatives. Dr. Faisal Al-Nasser CIO, Al Marai Company Sandeep Chouhan Group Chief Operating Officer, Network International (UAE) Georges de Moura Group Vice President, Information Security & CISO, Edge Group Paul Potgieter Director, Technology & Digital Platforms, NEOM H.E. Mubaraka M. Ali Ibrahim Acting CIO, Emirates Health Services Establishment (UAE) Jayesh Maganlal Group Chief Information & Digital Officer, ROSHN Real Estate (KSA) Saud Al Dhawyani Chief Platform Officer, Emirates NBD (UAE) Track D: Vendor Selection and Management: Best Practices and What to Look Out For 14:20 - 14:50 Vendor Selection and Management: Best Practices and What to Look Out For IT sourcing and procurement professionals working with demanding workloads and deadlines have little time for an in-depth review of technology markets and vendors, sourcing best practices, and specific IT investment opportunities and partnerships. Given the rapid pace of change we have come to expect from the technology market, IT leaders face key sourcing challenges related to digital transformation and the evolving role of vendor management within the enterprise, requiring actionable intelligence on best practices for driving better deals and reducing costs while continuously growing vendor relationships. Mamoun Alhomssey Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Ajman Bank (UAE) Mhd Wail Khachfa CISO, Department of Digital Ajman Sufiyan Chikhalia Associate Director of IT, Sunbulah Group Ayman Alqudsi Chief Information Officer, United Arab Bank Pillairkulam Parthasarathy Chief Information Security Officer and Executive Vice President, Leading Bank in GCC Ahmed AlRifai Group IT Director, Al Muhaidib Group
14:50	Lunch

Speakers

Jyoti Lalchandani

Group Vice President & Regional Managing Director (META), IDC

Steven Frantzen

Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director (EMEA), IDC

Dr. Bushra Al Blooshi

Advisor Chief Executive, Dubai Electronic Security Center (UAE)

Miguel A. Villalonga

COO, e& enterprise

Umashankar Kotturu

Global Practice Lead, Cloud Consulting & Advisory, Tech Mahindra

Dr. Abdulla Al Shimmari

Senior Director-Program Management, Core42

Adrian Pickering

Regional General Manager MENA, Red Hat

Maurits Tichelman

Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Communications Group, Intel Corporation

Jad Hammoud

Vice President–Go To Market Strategy, ZainTECH

Jonathan Allen

Director of Enterprise Strategy, AWS

View All Speakers

Partners

Supported by

Host Partner

Artificial Intelligence Partner

Game Changer Partner

Strategic Partner

Cyber Security Partner

A.I. Enabled Cloud Partner

Technology Partner

Digital Solutions Partner

ICT Partner

Innovation Partner

Digital Transformation Partner

Summit Partner

Platinum Partner

Technology Focus Group Partner

Fireside Chat Partner

Exhibit Partner

Associate Partner

Health Partner

Media Partner

8:30	Registration & Networking
8:55	IDC Welcome Address
9:00	Opening Address: Government Affiliation
	H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti Head of Cybersecurity Council for the UAE Government
9:15	Revolutionizing Engagement: Omni-Experience Digital Transformation
	In today's hyperconnected world, businesses are reimagining how they interact with customers, employees, and partners, aiming to deliver seamless and personalized experiences across multiple touchpoints and channels. This session explores the strategies, technologies, and case studies that demonstrate the power of omni-experience digital transformation in driving customer loyalty, enhancing employee productivity, and fostering innovation. Join us to learn how to harness this revolution to create exceptional and cohesive experiences in the digital age. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti Head of Cybersecurity Council for the UAE Government Hadi Anwar Executive Director–Strategic Programs, CPX
9:25	Innovation at Scale: Harnessing the Power of Low-Code Platforms for Enterprise Growth in the era of AI
	This keynote will provide an overview of low code development, its business implications, and practical insights for enterprise-scale implementation and growth leveraging the potential of AI, allowing the audience to gain a thorough understanding of the subject with deep insights and real-world examples. Emad Mustafa Partner in Digital Services, PwC Middle East Youhanna Sidrak Regional Sales Manager, OutSystems
9:45	The Need for Cybersecurity Consolidation & the Power of Integrated AI Platforms
	Tarek Abbas Sr. Director, Systems Engineering, Palo Alto Networks
10:05	AI-Enabled Cloud-Native Transformation
	Are you ready to take your business to the next level with AI-enabled cloud-native transformation? Let's revolutionize the way you take IT to the cloud! The goal of many organizations is to become truly cloud native and adopt an approach that allows applications, business processes, and underlying infrastructure to benefit from the elasticity, efficiency, and resilience provided by modern cloud environments. Becoming cloud native requires a deep understanding of architecture, automation, and modern engineering practices. Whether an organization is creating new solutions or modernizing existing ones, it requires significant skills, talent, investment, and time to be successful. For many, these common constraints limit their capacity to transform. What if GenAI could enhance your productivity, reduce your dependency on scare skills, and allow more of your IT to become truly cloud native? This session will introduce you to modern AI-enabled tools and approaches that will help you overcome complexity, enhance productivity, and significantly accelerate cloud-native transformation. Alan Flower Global Head of Cloud Native & AI Labs, HCLTech
10:25	Achieving Competitive Advantage with Connected Digital Ops
	The tech landscape is now at an inflection point through which achieving business advantage begins with IT. In this environment, every company is now on a transformation journey where we define the destination as the Autonomous Digital Enterprise—a resilient enterprise with no silos, where everything is observable and orchestrated. We encapsulate the value that we deliver in making it happen, while harnessing the power of AI and data, through a term we’ve coined ‘Connected Digital Ops.’ Discover how you can make the most of your new and existing technology by connecting digital ops across your enterprise. Learn how to: · Unleash the power of AI on the vast data sets in your organization to provide best-in-class solutions that span observability and orchestration, while ensuring resilience · Connect otherwise siloed operations in an increasingly complex hybrid IT environment · Solve issues faster in your evolution to becoming an Autonomous Digital Enterprise by enabling Connected Digital Ops—ServiceOps, AIOps, DevOps, DataOps and AutonomousOps—across your tech landscape. Ram Chakravarti CTO, BMC Software
10:45	Tea / Coffee & Networking Break
10:55 11:20	Technology Focus Group Session Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions)
	Track 1: The Rise of Cyber Vulnerabilities with Digital Dependencies 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:05 Moderator Overview John Mankarios Vice President of IT, QInvest LLC 11:05 - 11:19 Recovery After a Cyberattack in Seconds. Guaranteed. Ilya Ovchinnikov Regional Sales Director, Infinidat 11:19 - 11:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Smart TV Track 2: Enabling elevated Digital Experiences at Scale 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:05 Moderator Overview Jebin George Program Manager, Industry Solutions, IDC 11:05 - 11:19 Redefine IT/Enterprise Service Management with AI This session will explain how you can roll out services faster and boost enterprise productivity with a revolutionary new AI platform. Discover how you can deliver responsive, effective, and efficient ITSM/ESM capabilities with a lightweight architecture to roll out new services and resolve service requests up to 50% faster using AI. Low-code/no-code capabilities mean IT teams can efficiently launch and manage services at lightning speed, while also eliminating manual processes and automating service needs from IT to HR, facilities, and other functions. The platform also allows organizations to bring all service needs under a single portal to improve employee experiences and resolve requests faster. And with AI-powered self-service and more than 50 modern controls, form designers, and form builders, you can bring enterprise productivity ideas to reality faster. Ravi Makhija Principle Architect, SymphonyAI 11:19 - 11:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Smart TV Track 3: AI, Data and Analytics: The Driving Forces of Digital Transformation 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:05 Moderator Overview Yogesh Gupta Editorial Director - Events, India & META, Foundry 11:05 - 11:19 Maximizing Human Potential with Generative AI: Accelerating Innovation and Growth! Join us for an exploration into the transformative power of generative AI in unlocking human potential. Discover how to leverage your organization's digital assets to unearth valuable insights, minimize time to value, and propel innovation. From conceptual understanding to practical implementation, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to harness AI's full potential in driving growth and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Ahmed Mounir Solutions Go-To-Market Manager, Link Development 11:19 - 11:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Smart TV Track 4: How AI is Reshaping Fashion Retail's Landscape 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:19 How AI is Reshaping Fashion Retail's Landscape Eshan Walia Head of Digital Transformation, Sharaf Retail 11:19 - 11:20 Rate the Session & Stand a Chance to Win - Smart TV
10:56 11:20	Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions)
	Track 5: A New Paradigm in Clinical Documentation and Decision-Support with Generative AI 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:20 Enhancing Security with AI-Powered Threat Hunting and Detection Padam Kafle Head Of Information Technology & Automation, Aster Hospitals Track 6: From Zero to 356 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:20 From Zero to 356 Lulwa Abdulla Team Leader, Applications, Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) Track 7: Metaverse in Insurance 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:10 - 11:25 Metaverse in Insurance Walid Salem IT Lead Middle East, Zurich Insurance Track 8: Project BLADE - An Innovative Initiative That Stands at the Forefront of Industry 4.0 10:55 - 11:00 Opening Act - Mirror Ball Mirage 11:00 - 11:20 Project BLADE - An Innovative Initiative That Stands at the Forefront of Industry 4.0 Tamer Hamad CIO, Dubai Cable Company
11:20	Refresh & Regroup
11:35 12:25	Platinum Tracks (Parallel Sessions)
	Platinum Track A: : Cloud as the Strategic Core of the Digital-first Organization 11:35 - 11:40 Opening Act - Dubai Police Band 11:40 - 11:42 Session Overview Ahmad M. Almulla Digital Advisor, ENEC 11:42 - 11:45 Start of Session Raffle - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 11:45 - 12:00 The Role of Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) in Shaping the Future of Digital Transformation The future of digital transformation hinges on the pivotal role played by iPaaS. In this dynamic landscape, iPaaS emerges as a linchpin, facilitating seamless connectivity, data exchange, and application integration across diverse systems. As organizations strive for agility and scalability, iPaaS proves indispensable in fostering innovation, enabling real-time data insights, and ensuring secure, compliant operations. This presentation explores how iPaaS, as a transformative force, not only addresses current challenges but also propels businesses into a future where interconnected ecosystems and streamlined workflows redefine the contours of digital success. Subhashish Roy Partner Consulting Services, Easy Data Integration (EDI) 12:00 - 12:05 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Headset Coutesy: EDI 12:05 - 12:20 Fireside Chat: Building a Hybrid Multicloud Enterprise Architecture & Centralized Management for an AI Everywhere Future This session will discuss how organizations can effectively address the challenges they are facing in hybrid multicloud environments when it comes to scalability, interoperability, resource management, and automation with respect to the enterprise IT landscape. Even more importantly, it will discuss how they should strategize their forward-looking enterprise architecture as AI and GenAI get embedded into the IT stack and processes, while also taking a look at key security and compliance aspects. Nidal Azba CTO, Kyndryl (Middle East and Africa) Feras Aljabi General Manager, ITQAN 12:20 - 12:25 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes Platinum Track B: Securing Enterprises in the Transition to a Digital-First Economy 11:35 - 11:40 Opening Act - Dubai Police Band 11:40 - 11:42 Session Overview Jason Roos Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KSA) 11:42 - 11:45 Start of Session Raffle - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 11:45 - 12:00 Does Your Organization Suffer from an Identity Crisis? With cyberattacks increasing in volume and sophistication, it is only a matter of time until an organization has a security incident. Threat actors target accounts, users, and identities via lateral movement and poor identity security hygiene. Detecting and defending against these actors MUST be the basis of a modern cybersecurity initiative. This session shares the risks associated with poor identity security disciplines, highlights the techniques that external threat actors and insiders leverage, and outlines operational best practices to protect against identity theft. It also explores how organizations can develop an effective identity security strategy. Morey J. Haber Chief Security Advisor, BeyondTrust 12:00 - 12:05 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple AirPods Courtesy: BeyondTrust 12:05 - 12:20 The Bots are Coming Network bots are automated machines designed to perform tasks across the internet. They execute predefine monitoring, data retrieval, or security functions. These bots also streamline processes and enhance efficiency since they can be programmed for various applications ranging from chatbots to network administration. However, undetected malicious bots can damage organizational brands, steal sensitive information, take over accounts, and negatively impact business revenue. This session discusses modern bot traffic, highlighting how it can be monitored and controlled to reduce any negative impact on the digital ecosystem. Bader Shaath Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudflare 12:20 - 12:25 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple Airpods Courtesy: Cloudflare Platinum Track C: Managing Digital Innovation in the Face of New Threats and Vulnerabilities 11:35 - 11:40 Opening Act - Dubai Police Band 11:40 - 11:42 Session Overview Shilpi Handa Associate Research Director, Security (META), IDC 11:42 - 11:45 Start of Session Raffle - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 11:45 - 12:00 AI Package Hallucinations : A New Threat to Supply Chain SecurityTransformation As much as 90% of the code in apps today comes from open source software. Whether through infiltrating the software delivery pipeline, deliberately uploading malicious components to popular repositories, or taking advantage of existing vulnerabilities in open source components, attackers are leveraging gaps in supply chain controls to compromise organizations. With GenAI quickly becoming a popular tool for developers to generate code, a new threat has emerged. AI package hallucinations are among the more recent attack types within the supply chain. Easy to execute, these attacks can have devastating effects. This presentation will provide an overview of supply chain security, showcase examples of current threats, discuss AI package hallucinations, and outline a series of preventative measures. Bhawani Singh Principal Solution Architect, Checkmarx 12:00 - 12:05 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Wireless Earbuds Coutesy: Checkmarx 12:05 - 12:20 Fireside Chat: Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in the Age of Digital Dependencies In today's interconnected world, where digital technologies underpin nearly every aspect of modern life, cybersecurity vulnerabilities have become a pressing concern. From critical infrastructure to personal devices, the proliferation of digital dependencies has introduced new risks and challenges. This panel discussion will delve into the complex landscape of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the age of digital dependencies, exploring emerging threats, evolving attack vectors, and strategies to mitigate risks effectively. Saeed Ahmad Business Unit Manager, EMEA EMG Markets, One Identity by Quest Krishnan Gopi Group Chief Disruption Officer, GEMS Education 12:20 - 12:25 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple AirTags Platinum Track D: The Intelligent Enterprise: Enabling Real-time Data and Analytics to Accelerate Organizational Agility 11:35 - 11:40 Opening Act - Dubai Police Band 11:40 - 11:42 Session Overview Mamoun Alhomssey Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Ajman Bank (UAE) 11:42 - 11:45 Start of Session Raffle - Mont Blanc Passport Cover Courtesy: Denodo 11:45 - 12:00 The Future of Real-Time Data Analytics Strategies in Hybrid & Multicloud Environments Imagine a world where data flows freely between diverse cloud environments, where insights are not bound by the limitations of a single platform. Join us as we explore the future of real-time data analytics in hybrid and multicloud setups, uncovering innovative strategies to harness the power of this dynamic landscape. Abba Gopalakrishnan Sales Manager, Qlik 12:00 - 12:05 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win - Apple AirPods Courtesy: Qlik 12:05 - 12:20 The Odyssey of the digital (re)evolution – Core Banking Migration Journey Dr. Devid Jegerson Chief Operating Officer, Invest Bank 12:20 - 12:25 Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
12:25	Refresh & Regroup in Ameera Ballroon
12:30	The Digital Underworld : From Creation to Annihilation
	In an era where digital-first strategies dominate every line of business, the resilience and innovation of IT infrastructure have never been more critical. Delve into the cryptic narrative of ransomware: its inception, its rapid evolution, and its profound impact on our digital business landscape. As revenues increasingly pivot to digital avenues, the specter of ransomware threatens not just our IT systems, but the very essence of business trust and continuity. Dive deeper into the shadowy depths of the digital underworld. Born from the ceaseless dance between security and breach, ransomware has etched itself as a formidable foe, challenging even the most seasoned IT leaders. From its earliest origins to the burgeoning industry of digital hostage-taking, we'll unravel its intricate and nefarious tale. But every monster has a weakness. As our story unfolds, we'll delve into the techniques to combat ransomware. Equipped with this knowledge, CIOs will find themselves empowered, standing tall at the digital frontier, ready to defend and fortify their organizations against such threats. Glenn Wilkinson World-Renowned Security Expert
12:50	Partner Felicitation
13:00	Mega Raffle Announcement
13:05	CIO50 Middle East Awards by Foundry
	Yogesh Gupta Editorial Director - Events, India & META, Foundry Andrea Benito Editor, CIO Middle East, Foundry
13:25	Lunch & Close of Summit

IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024

The Future of IT: Rethinking Digitalization for an AI Everywhere World

Agenda

Filter Topics

Registration & Networking

Event Opening by Magical Hosts

IDC Welcome Address

Advisory Council Felicitation

IDC Opening Keynote: Rethinking Digitalization with GenAI for an AI-First World

Dubai Cyber Resilience: Navigating Generative AI Impacts and Security Trends

Charting the Future: The Revolutionizing Potentials of AI

Elevating Digital Business with Cloud: Beyond Optimization to GenAI and Sustainability

Preparing for Success in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Developing Competitive Advantage Through Enterprise Intelligence

Accelerating Time To Value from Your AI Investments: From AI Spend to Business Impact

A Leader's Guide to Generative AI

Tea / Coffee & Networking Break

Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions)

Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions)

Summit Tracks (Parallel Sessions)

Tea / Coffee & Networking Break

Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions)

Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions)

For The CIO- By The CIO Tracks (Parallel Sessions)

Lunch

Registration & Networking

IDC Welcome Address

Opening Address: Government Affiliation

Revolutionizing Engagement: Omni-Experience Digital Transformation

Innovation at Scale: Harnessing the Power of Low-Code Platforms for Enterprise Growth in the era of AI

The Need for Cybersecurity Consolidation & the Power of Integrated AI Platforms

AI-Enabled Cloud-Native Transformation

Achieving Competitive Advantage with Connected Digital Ops

Tea / Coffee & Networking Break

Technology Focus Group Session Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions)

Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions)

Refresh & Regroup

Platinum Tracks (Parallel Sessions)

Refresh & Regroup in Ameera Ballroon

The Digital Underworld : From Creation to Annihilation

Partner Felicitation

Mega Raffle Announcement

CIO50 Middle East Awards by Foundry

Lunch & Close of Summit

Speakers

Partners

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IDC, Foundry