Artificial Intelligence &
Data Science
Feb 12-13, 2026
Dubai, UAE
datascience@averconferences.com
Venue: Crowne Plaza Dubai - Deira by IHG
Kassem Saleh received his BSc, MSc, and PhD in Computer Science from the University of Ottawa, Canada. From 1984 to 1991, Kassem was a Software Design Engineer at Northern Telecom and a Computer Systems Specialist at Bell Canada. Kassem was at Concordia University in 1992, Kuwait University from 1992 to 2000, and the American University of Sharjah from 2000-2007. Since 2007, he is Professor in Information Sciences at Kuwait University. His research interests include software engineering, information security, project and risk management, quality engineering and ethics and professionalism. Dr. Saleh has published about 130 journal and conference papers and one textbook on Software Engineering and has presented tutorials, lectures and invited talks at many conferences and universities. The Journal of Systems and Software has ranked Kassem among the top ten scholars in systems and software engineering in eight annual assessments published from 1996-2003. Kassem was involved in various university and program accreditation and assessment activities in Kuwait and UAE. Kassem holds professional certifications in software engineering (IEEE-PSEM), information systems security (ISC2-CISSP), project (PMI-PMP) and risk management (PMIRMP), quality engineering (ASQ-CQE, ASQ-CSQE), and business analysis (PMI-PBA). Kassem is also a Certified ISO 31000 Senior Lead Risk Manager and a certified PECB trainer for ISO 31000. Kassem is the chair of the Research Ethics Committee at the College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University.
Dr. Heba Afify received a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics at the Biomedical Engineering Department, Cairo University,Egypt in 2012. She is currently an Associate Professor of the biomedical engineering department at Egyptian University. Her research interests include biomedical image processing and bioinformatics. Her focus is on the use of artificial intelligence to solve problems in different domains, including cancer detection, and healthcare improvement. She authored many research papers in reputed international and national journals. She has served as a Reviewer, TPC member, and TPC chair/track chair for various international journals and conferences. She is also the associate Editor of the two Taylor Journals ( Network: Computation in Neural Systems—Journal of MedicalEngineering & Technology) and IGI Global journals. In 2021, she was awarded a postdoctoral Fellowship from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering andBiotechnology (ICGEB), Translational Bioinformatics Group, New Delhi, India.
I hold a PhD in Computer Vision and Robotics from the National Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine University, France (1992), an M.Sc in Computer Vision and Robotics from the same university (1989), a B.Sc in Computer Engineering from the American University INELEC in Boumerdes, Algeria (1988), and a Baccalaureate from the Technical High School of Sidi Bel-Abbes, Algeria (1983). I can teach Data Structure, Robotics, Computer Graphics, Computer Vision, Computer Organization and Architecture, Embedded Systems, Data Mining and Data Warehousing, Database Management System, Digital Image Processing, IOT, Information Theory, Multimedia Systems, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, Object Oriented Programming, Computer Network and Communication, Graph Theory, Discrete Mathematics, Programming in HLLs. I am a member of the IEEE and the Society for Computer Vision, and I serve as a referee for the Scientific Journal of King Faycal University.
Prof. Dr. Dewan Md. Farid is Dean of School of Science & Engineering, and Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at Southeast University. Before joining Southeast he worked for over a decade as a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at United International University. He is an IEEE Senior Member and Member ACM. Prof. Farid has published 152 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including 37 highly esteemed journals like Expert Systems with Applications, IEEE Access, Journal of Theoretical Biology, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Bioinformatics, Scientific Reports (Nature), Proteins and so on in the field of Machine Learning, Data Mining, Data Science and Big Data. He visited 19 countries for attending international conferences, research and higher education. Prof. Farid delivered several invited/keynote talks including an invited research talk at Data to AI Group (DAI), Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Dr. Nadeem Qazi is an internationally recognized scholar, educator, and thought leader in Artificial Intelligence, whose career spans over two decades across the UK, EU, and Asia. Currently serving as Associate Professor in AI at the University of East London , and Visiting Scholar in Trustworthy AI at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven and Tietoevry Finland, he has established himself as a global authority in Explainable AI, Deep Learning, NLP, Generative AI, Computer Vision and Agentic AI. His pioneering work has advanced real world applications in crime analysis, IoT security, healthcare, and digital forensics, earning him a reputation as a researcher of both depth and impact. Dr. Qazi earned his Ph.D. in Machine Learning from Cranfield University, UK, and has held academic appointments at leading institutions including Brunel University, Middlesex University, University of Ulster, and the National University of Ireland. His leadership in EU funded projects such as VALCRI and Horizon 2020 has produced transformative outcomes: from deepfake video detection tools to multimodal systems for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. His pioneering research has secured multi-million-euro competitive funding, driving transformative AI projects and fostering global collaborations. These efforts have created paid opportunities for MSc students and resulted in publications in top-tier journals, including Expert Systems with Applications, Information Processing & Management, and Scientific Reports (Springer Nature). Dr. Qazi’s research has driven impactful innovations across AI, earning prestigious recognitions such as the Vice Chancellor’s Impact & Innovation Award (2024) and Best Paper Award at ISDIA 2025. His work spans transformative projects in deepfake detection, Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and interdisciplinary applications of AI. As a sought after speaker, Dr. Qazi has delivered keynote talks and workshops at IEEE, Springer, and global AI forums, addressing critical themes such as authenticity in digital media, generative AI in assessment, and the future of human AI collaboration. His ability to bridge rigorous research with visionary discourse has positioned him as a voice of authority in shaping responsible and impactful AI worldwide.
Dr. Evgenii Vinogradov, PhD has a tremendous experience in Diverse roles: from software developer to data engineer, from software architect to data scientist; Diverse mamagerial experience: Team leader, Deputy chief. His interests are focused on Fintech and Data sectors, formerly Web Development and CAD. His Contributions: Program Committee member for technical conferences in development and analytics; Academic experience and educational projects in Data Science and Engineering; Company representative at w3c: Payment Standards development; Run Data Governance projects integrating technology with data management best practices.
Dr. Yousef Qawqzeh received his Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from UKM University, Malaysia, in 2011. He is an Associate Professor at the College of Engineering and Technology, Fujairah University, specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. His research focuses on AI-driven predictive analytics, particularly in cardiovascular disease risk assessment using photoplethysmography(PPG), computer-aided diagnosis for breast cancer, and advanced ML techniques for detecting high-risk diabetic patients. With numerous publications in leading journals and conferences, Dr.Qawqzeh is dedicated to leveraging AI and data science to enhance precision medicine and healthcare analytics.
Dr. Nader Ghazal is a renowned expert in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, with a remarkable track record of achievements: Chairman, African-Asian Council for AI and Cybersecurity, Member, Global AI Forum Advisory Board, Lecturer, Khalifa University. Dr. Nader completed Ph.D. in AI from the U.S. (1991), Certified in AI and Digital Transformation Platform Strategies (MIT), Certified in Digital and Online Education (University of New South Wales). He is Member, Dubai AI Week Championship Jury (2025), Member, Global Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) for Universities ranking. With over three decades of experience in higher education, business, and IT consulting, Dr. Ghazal is a highly respected thought leader in his field.
Nader is an Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Strategy Consultant. With over 25+ years of experience, Nader translates business goals into actionable AI use cases and initiatives by building tailored strategies across various domains. Nader has delivered digital transformation projects and consultancies for public and private sectors in the Middle East, Europe, North America, South Asia, and Australia.
Mohamed Quafafou is a Professor of Computer Science at Aix-Marseille University. His research focuses on both the foundations and applications of Data Science. For more than 25 years, he has conducted extensive research on data science problems involving multimodal, heterogeneous data, particularly data extracted from the web and other complex information sources. A significant part of his work has also addressed human-generated data, especially from social networks. He has contributed to machine learning by extending rough set theory through the development of α-rough sets and by generalizing version space theory into approximate version spaces, enabling the design of robust learning algorithms capable of handling ill-defined and ambiguous concepts. He led the development of the first French web mining system dedicated to the discovery of emerging web communities. In collaboration with the French Agency for Artificial Intelligence, he proposed the research theme “Human–Machine Interaction in Machine Learning” and coordinated a national research group on this topic for five years. He has also carried out extensive research in Artificial Intelligence in Education, proposing methods for modeling human learning strategies, developing intelligent computer-aided education systems, and adapting tutoring interactions to evolving learner interests. More recently, he introduced oSets (observer-dependent sets), a novel formal framework that bridges set theory with theories of perception from epistemology. This work aims to account for the diversity of human perceptions of reality and to support the development of more physically grounded and human-aligned AI systems. His current research centers on perception in Human–AI symbiosis, with applications in education, health and medicine, project management, and urban mobility, emphasizing the impact of human–AI interaction and collaboration.
Dr. Neda Maria Kaizumi is a Norwegian AI leader and Head of AI at Advania Norway. She helps organizations identify high-impact AI use cases and develop them responsibly, combining strategic insight with hands-on experience. With a background in AI governance and ethical design, she bridges the gap between innovation and accountability. Dr. Kaizumi has studied Data Science and Business Analytics at Harvard Business School and contributes to international AI standardization andEuropean AI Act. Her work empowers businesses to adopt trustworthy AI systems that drive sustainable value in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Ahmed M. Sheikh is a seasoned Research and Development Specialist in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with over 22 years of professional experience across diverse industries, including technology innovation, smart cities, strategic business transformation, and advanced digital solutions. His career reflects a rare blend of deep technical understanding, strategic leadership, and business acumen. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the American College, which has strongly shaped his ability to align emerging technologies with organizational strategy, economic growth, and long-term sustainability goals. This foundation has enabled him to bridge the gap between complex technological innovation and practical, scalable business implementation. Throughout his career, Ahmed has played a significant role in advancing smart city initiatives by designing and integrating AI- and robotics-driven applications into urban development frameworks. His work focuses on creating intelligent, data-driven ecosystems that enhance operational efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in modern cities. Currently, Ahmed serves as Business Head and Chief Technology Strategist at Wetterbond LLC, Sharjah, U.A.E. In this role, he leads innovation strategy, oversees the development of scalable technology solutions, and supports sustainable urban development through applied artificial intelligence and robotics. His leadership emphasizes responsible AI deployment, system interoperability, and long-term value creation at scale. Today, Ahmed stands at the forefront of developing unique and intellectual ideas that integrate artificial intelligence and robotics to solve real-world challenges. His work goes beyond conventional innovation, focusing on original, forward-thinking concepts that combine technological intelligence with human-centered design and strategic foresight. Ahmed is a strong advocate for the responsible adoption of AI and robotics, believing that these technologies are no longer future concepts but foundational tools for building smarter, more sustainable cities and economies. He consistently emphasizes the importance of deploying advanced technologies ethically, at scale, and in alignment with long-term urban, environmental, and economic objectives. Widely recognized for his ability to combine deep technical expertise with strategic business insight, Ahmed contributes meaningful, practical perspectives to global discussions on artificial intelligence, robotics, smart cities, and sustainable innovation.
Prof. Khalid M. O. Nahar is a full professor in the Department of Computer Sciences-Faculty of IT, Yarmouk University, Irbid-Jordan. He received his BS and MS degrees in computer sciences from Yarmouk University in Jordan, in 1992 and 2005 respectively. He was awarded a full scholarship to continue his PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), KSA. In 2013 he completed his PhD and started his job as an assistant professor at Tabuk University, KSA for 2 years. In 2015 he returned to Yarmouk University as an assistant professor, he was awarded the upgrade promotion degree as an associate professor in 2020 then to full professor in 2024. Prof. Khalid was the assistant dean for quality control in the Faculty of IT-Yarmouk University for the year 2019. He was assigned the chairman of the training and development department in the accreditation and quality center at Yarmouk University from the year 2020 to the year 2022. Prof Khalid registered 2 Patients under Yarmouk University Authority in USA, One Patient in Germany, and 2 submitted ones for processing. Prof. Khalid’s research interests include but are not limited to, Continuous Speech Recognition, Arabic Computing, Natural Language Processing, Multimedia Computing, Content-Based Retrieval, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition, IOT, and Data Science.
Dr. Chris Abraham is currently the CEO & Head - Dubai campus and Director – Executive Education. He is a globally recognized thought reader in the areas of Innovation, Design Thinking, AI &. The Future of Work, AI and Leadership, AI & Strategy, Neuroscience of Leadership & Decision Making, AI & The Future of Education, Science of Happiness, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, ESG, Marketing & Strategy. He started his career spanning 39 years as a strategy consultant and has worked on exciting projects including Titan Watches, Moods Condoms, National Family Welfare Program and assignments with The Governments of India, Singapore, UAE, Nigeria, and Kenya. His global clients include The World Bank, The Executive Council (Govt. of Dubai), Emirates Airlines, SEWA (Government of Sharjah), Aramex, DHL, P &G, LG, Reckitt & Benckiser, AW Rostamani (Nissan Auto), Landmark Group, Norgold Russia, Lulu International, Metso, Redington, Terraco, Axis Bank, Simpsons & many others.Dr. Chris is a 3 times TEDx and international keynote speaker. He has successfully presented in numerous global forums and has also conducted many consulting and executive development assignments for global organizations.He has been recognized with numerous international awards including twice Awarded “Best CEO in the World” in 2018 & 2019, by Indo – UAE Business & Social Forum, twice winner of Academic Leadership Award. Academic Advisory Boad Member – CMO Council, USA. He has been conferred as the Prestigious Knight of Parte Guelfa, Italy for Ecology, Sustainability & Environment. He holds numerous board adviserships: as Honorary Fellow – Leaders Excellence at Harvard Square, US, Advisor – RTA Innovation Lab, Government of Dubai, Global Advisory Board Member - World CMO Council, US, Member of the Board – The Abrahamic Business Circle, Advisory Board Member – CEO Clubs Worldwide Senior Advisory Board Member –WASME World Association of SMEs (An UNESCO Initiative), Senior Advisory Board Member – World Sustainable Business Forum, UK, Director – Rekhi - S P Jain Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness , Member of the Governing Board – Gulf Marketing Association, Executive Board Member – CIVITAS DEI Institute of History and Archaeology of Jerusalem, Israel, Member of the Board – Joblio, US. Member of the Academic Board – World Masters Academy, Italy, Member of the Advisory Board – Economic Times HR World (ETHR World), Member of the CII-Elite Group (SCM) – Confederation of Indian Industry – CII, Advisory Board Member – Humanistic Management Network, Advisory Board Member – University of Central Paris. Advisory Board Member – International Women’s Board of Directors. He’s a regular columnist and writer in leading media and newspaper like Gulf News, Khaleej Times, including The National, Times of India, Economic Times, The Hindu, Mumbai Mirror, regularly interviewed in leading TV & Media Channels like CNBC, Dubai Eye, Dubai TV, etc. Dr. Chris is also an adjunct professor at many leading universities in Australia, USA, Canada, Singapore, and UK. Earlier in Dubai, he headed the Executive MBA Program of XLRI, Jamshedpur, one of Asia’s top business schools. Mentor – S P Jain Center of Excellence for Sustainability & S P Jain Center for the Science of Happiness
Drawing on over two decades of experience in Education Technologies, Dr. Zainab Rasheed is a highly accomplished academic leader and a fervent advocate for educational innovation. With a Doctorate in Education focused on higher education, her expertise is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and pedagogy. Her research and professional work are dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain to create transformative learning environments. Her impressive career is punctuated by a commitment to practical, impactful application, from developing industry-aligned curricula to spearheading strategic initiatives. As a winner of several Outstanding Leadership Awards and a judge for prestigious international awards, she is recognised as a thought leader in her field. She is adept at fostering collaborative research, and her vision is to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and real-world solutions. Dr. Zainab's goal is to champion research that not only pushes the boundaries of computer science and data science but also genuinely transforms Education System and technology industry.
Dr. Sushma Hans is a dedicated academic professional with over 11 years of teaching and research experience in Computer Science and Information Technology. She is currently serving as a Lecturer at Murdoch University Dubai, where she delivers courses in Business Intelligence, Database Management Systems, Operating systems, Artificial Intelligence, and ICT research methods. Her teaching style is student-centered, emphasizing clarity, real-world application, and fostering curiosity through hands-on projects and collaborative learning. Dr. Hans has previously held academic positions across a number of prestigious institutions, including Heriot-Watt University, Amity University, Curtin University, SZABIST, Manipal University Dubai, and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Delhi. Her rich teaching portfolio covers a wide range of subjects such as Machine Learning, Data Structures, Software Project Management, Compiler Construction, Theory of Automata, Python, C/C++, Neural Networks, and Business Intelligence. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi University, where her research focused on enhancing the quality of e-learning systems. Dr. Hans is known for her exceptional presentation skills, ability to simplify complex topics, and commitment to academic excellence. She is AFHEA-certified and actively contributes to academic community engagement through organizing lectures, workshops, and student mentoring initiatives.
Faheem Ullah received his Ph.D. from The University of Adelaide, Australia, with a research focus on the intersection of big data and cyber security. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Zayed University, United Arab Emirates. Before joining Zayed University, he served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia, where he was also the Program Director for the Master of Cyber Security and a Postgraduate Advisor. Prior to his faculty role, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at CREST — Centre for Research on Engineering Software Technologies, a multidisciplinary research centre at the University of Adelaide. Dr. Ullah has extensive teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in computer science, software engineering, and cyber security. He has supervised and co-supervised more than 20 undergraduate and master’s research projects. His research interests span cyber security, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on real-world applications and interdisciplinary approaches. He has contributed to high-impact research publications, engaged in collaborative projects with academia and industry, and actively mentors emerging researchers in the field.
Dr. Oussama Hamid is an Assistant Professor in Computer Information Science at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with over a decade of experience teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Computing at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Between 2012 and 2018, he held positions as an Assistant Professor, initially in Kuwait and subsequently in Erbil, where he developed and delivered curricula in Computer Science and Mathematics, integrating modern AI tools and frameworks into coursework. In addition to his teaching expertise, he played a key role in leading research groups and scientific committees, mentoring faculty and postgraduate students in cutting-edge AI research. His research focuses on human-centered AI and Cognitive Computing, including Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Human-AI Interaction, Model-centric AI, Data-centric AI, Generative AI, and Large Language Models (LLMs). Previously, he contributed to several high-impact European research projects, including work on reinforcement learning, cognitive computing, and biomedical AI applications. As a responsible researcher and co-investigator in projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (2003-2012), and the Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (2018-2019), he played a central role in developing machine learning algorithms, designing computational models inspired by neural mechanisms, and advancing AI-driven medical research. These projects spanned diverse domains, from analyzing drug-drug interactions and EEG/EMG coherence to implementing intelligent motion analysis systems for clinical applications. He published in reputable Q1 and Q2 Scopus-indexed journals and serve as a reviewer for leading publishers, including Springer, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, IEEE, Wiley, and MDPI. From January 2023 to August 2024, he served as the System Course Team Leader (SCTL) for Web Technologies at the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE, overseeing system-wide course coordination across all campuses. In this role, he led a team of approximately 40 faculty members, managing course delivery, content development, assessment design, and evaluation for an average of 1,200 students per semester. He worked with team members to ensure the course met institutional and accreditation standards.
Sumit Ranjan is the CTO of Emvo, where he is leading the effort to build one of the most advanced AI voice agents in the world. His work focuses on real-time voice systems, agent reliability, and enterprise-grade deployment, solving problems that go far beyond demos and prototypes. Alongside this, he is actively working on sovereign AI initiatives, including fine-tuning and deploying models for organizations that require control, security, and compliance. Sumit has over a decade of experience designing and building AI systems for enterprise environments, spanning production ML, large language models, and agentic architectures. He is the author of Agentic AI in Enterprise and a contributor to the OWASP Top 10 for Agentic Systems, where he helps define emerging security risks and best practices. He regularly advises teams on moving from experimental AI to systems that can be trusted at scale.
Dr. Hena M is a Lecturer at the University of West London, Ras Al Khaima Branch Campus, UAE. She earned her PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from VIT Vellore, India, in 2022. Before her current role, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Sharjah, Assistant Professor at EKC Technical Campus, Kerala, India, and as a Lecturer at the University of Kerala. Her research interests span information and network security, cloud computing, big data security, and threat intelligence. She has published several research papers in reputed conferences and journals, in addition to contributing a book chapter in the field of cybersecurity. She is an active reviewer for multiple academic journals and continues to engage with collaborative research initiatives. Dr. Hena is passionate about bridging research and teaching and is committed to creating learning environments that promote innovation, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving.
Mr. Gowri Shankar Sivabala is an entrepreneur, AI consultant, engineer, academician, researcher and a sustainability advocate driving change across education, engineering, and innovation. With experience spanning 30+ roles in AI, engineering, education, journalism, art and social impact, he has mentored over 2,000 professionals and a multiple startups across 20+ countries. He is the founder of SpaceNXT Labs, Co-Founder of RecycleNXT, and founder of D.AI.C, one of Dubai’s leading AI communities. A member of the UN Innovations Network and AI in Education group at the University of Oxford, he speaks globally on responsible AI at events including AI Everything, Function1, GITEX, etc. He is also the Deputy Chair of the University of Bristol Alumni Association; he is a Guinness World Record holder and a finalist for the Study UK Alumni Award 2025 and GESS Global Education Award 2024. He currently researches AI in education at UCAM, Spain, and leads ITEF UAE and the AISGI Charter at GAFAI.
Dr. Isha Farha Quraishy, Oracle Cloud & AI Innovation Strategist with over 15 years in the tech industry. A former startup founder and CEO, she led IFQ Evotech in cutting-edge AI research. Dr. Isha has served global giants like HP, Dell EMC, and VMware, and shaped AI-driven education strategy at GEMS. Her mission is to make education accessible to every child through technology. Recognized by Forbes as the "Crowned Technopreneur - Where Tech Brilliance Meets Beauty Grace," She has also served as a Global Ambassador for Microsoft's Hevolous Innovationr,”Isha is a serial TEDx speaker, the Youngest Crowned Techno Genius in 2024, and International Genius Icon in 2023 , and a decorated social icon—holding titles like Mrs. Universe Solidarity 2019 and Mrs. UAE United Nations 2021. She was recognized among the Top 50 women in the UAE in 2022, as a Woman Icon Making Waves in the Arab World in 2023, and honored at the She Awards Global 2023 and Global Women Icon 2020 to name a few . She is Volunteer for Ministry of Community development UAE , and Certified from National Commission for Women Rights and National Commission for Human rights to support the Mankind and her Philanthropic journey. A true visionary blending tech brilliance with purpose
Mrs. Anitha Senthilnathan is a Digital Solutions Architect and Leader with over 13+ years of experience in enterprise application development, cloud architecture, and AI-driven modernization. She currently leads the design and deployment of Agentic AI platforms across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud, focusing on scalable, secure, and cost-efficient enterprise systems. Her work spans large-scale cloud migrations, intelligent automation, and AI integration with enterprise platforms such as SAP and CRM systems. Anitha is a multi-cloud certified architect, AWS Community Builder, and a frequent speaker at regional and international technology conferences, where she shares practical insights on applied AI, cloud modernization, and responsible AI adoption.
Deepika Ravikumar is a Data Science and AI professional, author-illustrator and educator based in Dubai. With a background spanning software development, data analytics and creative publishing, she brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to artificial intelligence and communication. Deepika has worked on data-driven projects across education while also authoring and illustrating children’s books that simplify complex ideas through storytelling. Her work focuses on making technology accessible, engaging and meaningful for diverse audiences. Through workshops, courses and creative initiatives, she advocates for AI literacy and human-centered approaches to data. Deepika is passionate about bridging the gap between technology and creativity to inspire understanding, innovation and informed decision making.
Chada is a Global Tech Product Leader and the CEO and Founder of ENTROGX Ventures.With over 13 years of professional experience at energy tech multinational companies, namely: Microsoft, General Electric & Baker Hughes. Plus, over 10 years with startups, and 15 years of women & youth activism, Chada empowers communities by mentoring young entrepreneurs, women in STEM, and tech enthusiasts around the Arab world. She was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Dubai for 2023 by WomenPreneur and among 100 Arab Female Heroes in Volunteering by BBC. She was also named a Distinguished Alumni of the Year 2019 in the Arab world by MEPI and the most influential young personality in Algeria for 2020 by Supernova Magazine. Currently, Chada serves on the board of several organizations, empowering young women and girls in Tech and Energy. Within the energy industry, she has empowered over 1000 female employees while serving as the Regional Leader for the Corporate Women Network of Baker Hughes. She also launched a program for “Return To Career” and mentorship programs across Africa, the Middle East, and India, providing opportunities for over 1000 young girls. This led to Baker Hughes being recognized as a Top D&I Distinguished Company at EGYPES and ADIPEC. Chada sits on the board of the Industry Advisory Council for Higher Colleges of Technology in UAE as an industry consultant. She also serves on the board of SPE in Algeria and UAE, the Arab Women in Computing organization, and CWIT. She is the co-leader of LeanIn Dubai Women in Tech, a member of the global Women in Product Society, and was the first Stanford University Ambassador to UAE for Women in Data Science.
Leen AlHalabi is an Associate Principal Consultant and a recognized expert in the field of cybersecurity. With over nine years of experience in cybersecurity and automation, she has made significant contributions across industries such as Oil & Gas, utilities, and Water & Waste Management in the GCC region. Leen began her career as an automation engineer, specializing in the commissioning of DCS and SCADA systems. Her hands-on experience in these critical industries laid the foundation for her transition into OT/ICS cybersecurity. As a specialist in this area, Leen has led comprehensive cybersecurity initiatives, including architecture reviews, penetration tests, risk and vulnerability assessments, network analysis, endpoint security, and the implementation of backup, recovery solutions, and system hardening. Leen is passionate about securing industrial environments and safeguarding civilization ensuring resilience against cyber threats.
An industry expert with a decade of experience in data privacy and compliance, she has transformed the way organizations embed privacy into AI and digital innovation. She pioneered the Privacy Experience (PX) concept, blending data privacy with human-centered design, and created an AIdriven platform that automates cybersecurity and privacy compliance. She has led transformative programs for over 40 organizations across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, turning regulatory obligations into strategic advantages. Known for making privacy practical, transparent, and trustworthy, she helps organizations not just comply – but innovate, build resilient AI systems, and earn the trust of the people they serve.
Dr. Claudio Zito is an Assistant Professor at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS) at Heriot-Watt University Dubai (HWUD). He serves as the Director of the Lab of AI and Robotics Research (LAIRR) and is the academic lead for the UAE Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in AI and Robotics, a collaborative initiative with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Additionally, Dr. Zito represents Dubai in the Heriot-Watt Robotics and AI Global Research Institute (GRI). Dr. Zito specialises in Cognitive Robotics, focusing on equipping robots with the ability to understand complex scenes and make high-level decisions using contextual information. His expertise spans a range of fields, including probabilistic robotics, robot learning and planning, knowledge representation, decision-making, reinforcement learning, generative models, and learning from demonstration. A key area of his research is robot manipulation, where he integrates mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to enable autonomous systems to perform effectively in uncertain and hazardous environments. Dr. Zito is also dedicated to advancing physical human-robot interaction (pHRI). His work in this area supports the remote teleoperation of robots for tasks such as nuclear waste disposal and inspection and enhances wearable robotics like prosthetics and exoskeletons, aiming to deliver superhuman performance to operators. His work has been supported by multiple prestigious research grants from organisations such as the EU (FP7, H2020), EPSRC, Airbus, and Mubadala. Dr. Zito earned his PhD in AI and Robotics from the University of Birmingham, UK, in July 2016. Before joining HWUD in 2023, he was a Lead Scientist at Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and held academic positions at the University of Birmingham. An active member of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS), Dr. Zito has authored over 20 peer-reviewed papers and is an alumnus of the EU-Japan Centre’s "Vulcanus in Japan" programme.
Olivier Khatib is the Founder & CEO of DATANEO, an AI-powered business automation platform helping companies stream line operations and scale intelligently. With over a decade of experience in artificial intelligence, automation, and quantitative finance, Olivier has held roles at institutions like Bank of America, HSBC, and BNP Paribas. He holds an MSc in Computer Science from Imperial College London. Olivier specializes in applying AI to real-world enterprise challenges and is a frequent speaker on AI, workflow automation, and the future of business systems. His work bridges cutting-edge technology with practical, scalable business impact across industries.
Dr. Momina Moetesum is an international thought leader and researcher in responsible and sustainable artificial intelligence. She is currently serving as the Head of Software Engineering Department at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), one of the leading universities of Pakistan. With over a decade of experience, she has led transformative AI initiatives across healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience developing solutions tailored to underserved and low-resource communities. She is also the Founder of Digital Intellix–4PL, a hybrid intelligence consulting firm focused on driving responsible and sustainable innovation across ecosystems. Through consultation, she blends AI and digital transformation to deliver ecosystem services that promote sustainable development, inclusive growth, and a “Leave No One Behind” approach. Her portfolio includes national digital safety efforts, AI-for-development collaborations with international organizations, and grassroots capacity-building programs that bridge advanced technologies with local context and impact.
Dr. Amir M. N. El-Ghamry is an applied-AI scholar whose work bridges theory and deployment. He has authored 30 + peer-reviewed papers in venues such as IEEE TDSC, Nature Scientific Reports, Springer Neural Computing & Applications, and Elsevier IoT Journal, advancing intrusion-resilient IoT middleware, explainable medical imaging, and federated cyber-defence for EV-charging networks. His projects—backed by the U.S. NSA, NSF, and AFOSR—repeatedly progress from grant-funded prototypes to field-tested systems. At Mansoura University’s Center of Excellence for AI (Vice-President), he supervises Ph.D. and M.Sc. projects across healthcare, fintech, and cybersecurity. He reviews for Scientific Reports, IET Information Security, Discover AI, Neural Computing & Applications, Iranian J. of Science & Technology, and Internet of Things & CPS. His organisational record includes: ITDS-3 & ITDS-4 committees; jury roles at the Africa ELTA Mobile-App Competition and Coventry University Computing Expo (2024); editorial contribution to BigData 2018 (SCF, Seattle); and Publicity Co-Chair of the 51st AEAS Annual Conference (University of Hertfordshire, Dec 22-24, 2024), opened by senior Egyptian diplomats and higher-education leaders.
Dr. Ijaz Khan is a researcher and academician specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Wireless Sensor Networks. He holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and currently serves as an instructor at BUC College, Oman. Dr. Khan’s research focuses on the application of AI in education, including predictive models for student performance and AI-driven teaching tools. His recent work includes the development of personalized AI advising systems, CGPA forecasting applications, and intelligent academic advising tools for higher education. He has contributed extensively to international conferences and journals, with recognized publications in IEEE, Springer, and Scopus-indexed venues. In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Khan actively reviews papers for reputable journals and mentors undergraduate research projects. His work bridges the gap between technology and education, aiming to make learning more personalized, predictive, and impactful. Currently, he is working on intelligent advisory and student support systems, aiming to integrate the power of Artificial Intelligence with traditional academic advising, making student guidance more proactive, data-driven, and effective.
Dr. Alok Singh Chauhan is a Professor in the School of Computer Applications and Technology at Galgotias University, India. He earned his Ph.D.in Computer Applications, focusing on data mining approaches for educational decision-making. With over 19 years of academic and research experience, he is currently engaged in postdoctoral research at the Federal University of Piauí, Brazil, focusing on AI applications in healthcare. He has made significant contributions in machine learning, deep learning, data mining, and big data analytics, with practical impact in medical imaging, disease prediction, and smart agriculture. He has authored 3 books, published over 60 international journal papers, contributed 9 book chapters, and holds 14 patents in AI-based diagnostics, IoT healthcare devices, and intelligent agriculture solutions. A frequent international speaker, session chair, and editorial board member, he is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge AI research that drives global innovation, societal impact, and transformative technological solutions.
Maxim Salnikov is a tech and cloud community enthusiast based in Oslo. With over two decades of experience as a web developer, he shares his extensive knowledge of the web platform, cloud computing, and AI by speaking at and providing training for developer events worldwide. By day, Maxim plays a crucial role in supporting the development of cloud and AI solutions within European companies, serving as the Senior Solution Engineer at Microsoft focusing on the AI-native developer tools & platforms. During evenings, he can be found running events for Norway's largest web and cloud development communities. Maxim is passionate about exploring and experimenting with Generative AI possibilities, including AI-assisted development. To share his insights and connect with like-minded professionals globally, he founded and organized the inaugural Prompt Engineering Conference, the first of its kind on a global scale.
Elena Revilla Gutiérrez is a Professor and Head of the Operations and Business Analytics Department at IE Business School in Madrid. She received her Ph.D in Business Administration (Operations) from the Universidad de Valladolid (Spain). She is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and visiting researcher at MIT. Dr. Revilla’s research focuses on digital transformation and innovation in the supply chain, focusing on knowledge sharing and social capital, as well as supply chain risk and resiliency. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Management,Journal of Operations Management, Research Policy, Journal of Supply chain, Human Resources Management, Harvard Business review and Sloan Management Reviewamong others. She has received funding from the European Union.
Karin Immenroth is an experienced data strategist specializing in the design and implementation of innovative, AI-powered solutions that enable data-driven decisions and sustainable competitive advantage. With deep expertise in analytics, she develops approaches for personalized marketing and media transformation. Before returning to Mediaplus as Global Chief Data Officer, Karin shaped the digital transformation of RTL Deutschland as CDO, integrating data-driven processes into strategic business goals. As Managing Director at Bertelsmann, she built the company’s central data platform, establishing the foundation for efficiency gains and innovation. At GroupM, she was responsible for a global data ecosystem that positioned data-driven strategies at the core of its business. Her career began at Mediaplus as a media researcher. Today, she combines strategic vision with operational excellence to drive one of the most ambitious data and AI transformations in the international agency landscape.
Dr. Nourah Alangari is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at King Saud University and a consultant, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. She holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Computer Science, and a Ph.D. with a focus on explainable AI and machine learning. Her research spans natural language processing, interpretability, fairness, AI safety, and ethical AI, with a strong emphasis on Arabic language technologies.
Usman is a Staff Developer Advocate at Grafana Labs from Nuremberg, Germany. He works with the Open Source Community on the community forum, GitHub and Slack. He has over 15 years of experience in IT and in Cloud Support where he served multiple customers all over Europe, US, Japan, etc. He is an active international public speaker participating in multiple conferences and events. In his free time, Usman likes to spend time with his family, go out on occasional traveling and play games or read comics.
Dr. Michail Lazos is a Lecturer in Computing and AI at Bath Spa University (Leeds campus) and a former Instructor of Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity at the Military Academy in Doha. He holds a Ph.D in Particle Physics from the University of Liverpool, with additional Master’s degrees in Physics from Imperial College London and in Astrophysics from the University of Porto. His professional background spans AI research, neural networks, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, with experience as an AI Engineer in industry and as a researcher in particle physics. Dr. Lazos has published widely, including work on time-free quantum frameworks in the International Journal of Quantum Foundations. He is passionate about leveraging cross-disciplinary knowledge to design innovative AI solutions that address global business and scientific challenges.
My research focuses on discovering new cancer therapeutics and developing novel methodologies for computer-aided drug design and discovery. I have developed multiple drug candidates that directly target the human androgen receptor (AR) and co-regulatory sites (BF3, AF2) for drug-resistant prostate cancers, including splice variants. I have authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and five book chapters, and during my 19-year tenure at UBC served as principal or co-applicant on successful grants totaling over $41 million. I have contributed to the formation of several spin-off companies, including Indel Therapeutics (est. 2008), focused on novel antimicrobial therapies and named among Canada’s Top 10 biotech companies in 2009, and APT Therapeutics Inc. (est. 2002, MO), a US-based company developing proteomics tools and therapeutics and recognized among the top biotech companies in the St. Louis area.
Anat Marcovitch is a Senior Architect and global leader in AI-Driven Urban Planning, with 26 years of pioneering experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and large-scale urban infrastructure modernization. She is an established Solution Architect specializing in modernizing complex, mission-critical government systems. Currently, as a Senior Project Manager at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, Anat directs the development of a groundbreaking urban planning system where the GIS infrastructure and planning models are developed by AI alone, moving toward a "zero human intervention" core development process. This work involves leading the comprehensive re-engineering of the city's 20-year-old planning systems, integrating advanced AI and ML for regulatory compliance and predictive modeling. Her previous role as a GIS Delivery Manager & Solution Architect at the Ministry of Planning involved masterminding the platform that achieved the full digitalization of all national city building plans, ensuring public transparency and accessibility, and defining the strategic vision for municipal digital services.
Amir A. Ghavifekr is currently an Assistant Professor of Control Engineering at the University of Tabriz, Iran. He was born in Tabriz on May 13, 1987. He pursued his studies in Electrical Engineering – Control at the University of Tabriz, where he earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Control Engineering in 2009 and 2012, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree in control engineering in the field of Teleoperation systems from the University of Tabriz with cooperation of the University of Verona, Italy, in 2018. Dr. Ghavifekr’s research interests include teleoperation and telesurgery, robotic manipulators, networked control systems (NCS), multi-rate control, digital and nonlinear control, and virtual reality. He has also contributed to the advancement of deep learning algorithms and their applications in control engineering. Dr. Ghavifekr has been actively engaged with the IEEE professional community, serving as a Senior Member of IEEE, a member of the Student Activities Committee, and the vice chair of the Membership Development Committee of the IEEE Iran Section. He also served as the Chair of the IEEE Iran Section Young Professionals Committee (2023–2024), where he actively promoted international engagement and knowledge exchange between young engineers and researchers within Iran and abroad. He is now a member of the Board of Directors of the IEEE Iran Section. He has also collaborated with prominent Iranian conferences such as ICEE, ICCIA, PEDSTC, SGC, and ICTEM, taking on roles as Executive chair, International Affairs chair, and Scientific Committee Member.
Dr. Mashael Alamr is a forensic linguist and academic at King Saud University, specializing in the intersection of language, law, and technology. Her research spans forensic authorship analysis, sociolinguistic variation, and the application of computational tools in legal and security contexts. With a background in both theoretical and applied linguistics, she has contributed to projects involving language policy, translation, and university-level transformation initiatives. Currently, she is expanding her research into AI-driven forensic applications, focusing on deepfake detection and the role of dialectal data in building robust detection systems. She is among the few Saudi scholars pioneering forensic linguistics and its integration into emerging digital challenges..
Raouia Mokni is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Higher Institute of Management of Gabes (ISGG), University of Gabes, Tunisia. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Sfax, Tunisia, with a specialization in the application of Artificial Intelligence to data engineering. Prior to her current position, she served as an Assistant at ISGIS Sfax and later as an Assistant Professor at the College of Computer Engineering and Science, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU), Saudi Arabia. She has acted as Quality Coordinator for the MSc Data Science program and contributed to the NCAAA accreditation committee. Her academic portfolio includes leadership and participation in over six funded research projects, and she has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Her research interests span computer vision, data science and engineering, artificial intelligence, natural language processing (NLP), biometrics, pattern recognition, and image processing.
A strategic leader with 20+ years across banking, finance, and technology combined, focused on helping organisations scale with confidence through transparent, ethical, and responsible AI adoption. Passionate about empowering leaders and teams with clear visibility into AI capabilities, building future-ready workforces, and driving real business outcomes. Throughout 2024, Anna has led AI implementation initiatives focusing on: Transparency and visibility in AI applications and their business impact Leadership enablement for confident AI technology-driven growth Workforce development to create AI-proficient teams across organisations Responsible and Ethical AI integrations Shadow AI and human-centric adoption strategies This work has provided valuable insights into common implementation challenges and effective strategies for responsible AI adoption. Anna also founded the Tech4Growth Australia initiative specifically focused on connecting remote and regional schools with organisations that can provide vital technology content and training. This program bridges the digital divide by facilitating partnerships that give students access to technology education, AI awareness programs, and cybersecurity fundamentals. By creating these connections, Tech4Growth ensures that children in remote and regional areas have the same opportunities to develop digital literacy and technology skills as their urban counterparts, while simultaneously raising awareness about responsible AI practices and cyber safety from an early age.
