GovTech Conclave

29th April 2025 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Governments and public sector enterprises in the Middle East are investing heavily in next-generation technologies to reshape governance and citizen services. With advancements in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, blockchain, and other emerging technologies, governments across the region are redefining operational efficiency, enhancing public service delivery, and improving citizen engagement.

MIT Sloan Management Review Middle East’s GovTech Conclave 2025 will bring together technology leaders from the public sector to discuss the transformative potential of technology in governance. This event will offer actionable insights into how governments can leverage cutting-edge solutions to build resilient, transparent, and accessible digital frameworks.

With AI as a key enabler, the conclave will explore how it enhances various technologies—such as blockchain, IoT, and data analytics—to shape smarter, more efficient governance. From optimizing operations and enhancing cybersecurity resilience to enabling data-driven decision-making, the conclave will examine how these technologies are revolutionizing governance across the Middle East.

The event will provide practical guidance for governments to harness the power of GovTech to create smarter, more resilient, and responsive public services. It will examine AI’s potential to address complex challenges while ensuring transparency, ethical standards, and public trust in the evolving landscape of digital governance.

SPEAKERS

speaker
Her Excellency Dr. Ohoud Shehail Director General
Department of Digital Ajman
speaker
His Excellency Mohammad Hassan Executive Director of the Data & Statistics Sector
Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre
speaker
Dr. Amani AlBraikan Associate Professor of Computer Science - AI
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University & Founding Member at Saudi Innovation Club
speaker
Amna Al Owais Chief Registrar
Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
speaker
Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem Al Zaabi National Risk and Policy Director
Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing
speaker
Fadi Salem Director Policy Research and Advisory
Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG)
speaker
Lt. Colonel Dr.Hamad Khalifa Al Nuaimi Head of Telecommunication - Infrastructure Dept. ICT Center
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ
speaker
JT Lone Director of Digital Transformation and PMO
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
speaker
Kenneth Oye Director of MIT Program on Emerging Technologies
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
speaker
Moe Abeidat Director of the Digital Transformation Unit
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
speaker
Dr. Mohamed El Sabbagh Chief Technology Officer
Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
speaker
Dr. Nahed Alawadhi Director of Strategy & Governance
Dubai Health Authority

Sponsors

Gold Partners
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Exhibiting Partners
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sponsorPartner
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Agenda

09:00 AM
Registration
10:00 AM
Welcome Address
10:05 AM
Opening Remarks
10:10 AM
Pioneering Digital Governance: The Vision for the Future

Governments across the Middle East are harnessing digital governance technologies to transform public services and increase transparency. With AI set to contribute $320 billion to the region's economy by 2030, this session dives into the Middle East’s leadership in digital governance. Experts will explore how AI, blockchain, and other cutting-edge technologies are driving smarter decision-making and reshaping government operations.

10:30 AM
Optimizing Government Operations: Streamlining Processes for Greater Efficiency and Collaboration

With the increasing complexity of public sector demands, governments are turning to emerging technologies to streamline operations and enhance collaboration. This session will dive into how AI and automation are transforming routine processes, enabling more efficient resource management and improving inter-departmental coordination. Panelists will highlight how technology is empowering governments to deliver faster, more responsive services while meeting the demands of the digital age.

10:50 AM
Panel Discussion: AI and Data-Driven Governance: A Path to Smarter, Resilient Governments

In the AI era, data is more than just a resource; it’s the foundation for smarter decision-making. Governments worldwide are investing in AI and advanced analytics to make evidence-based decisions that improve policy outcomes. This session will cover data governance frameworks, AI adoption challenges, and how data-driven insights are reshaping government operations to increase resilience in the face of social, economic, and environmental challenges.

11:20 AM
Networking Break


11:50 AM
Panel Discussion: Strengthening Cybersecurity and Digital Identity

As governments digitize services, cybersecurity becomes critical. With 55% of Middle Eastern companies prioritizing cyber risk mitigation, this session looks at how governments are deploying advanced cybersecurity technologies to safeguard digital services. Panelists will discuss strategies for defending against growing cyber threats and ensuring the integrity of public sector operations.

12:20 PM
Sustainable Data Centers: Enabling Green Digital Government

As governments digitize services, the energy consumption of data centers has become a growing concern. This session will explore sustainable practices for data center design and operation, from utilizing renewable energy to optimizing cooling and power usage. Learn how public sector organizations can reduce their carbon footprint and ensure that digital infrastructure supports sustainability goals without compromising performance.

12:35 PM
Redefining Public Sector Efficiency with Generative AI and Automation

Generative AI is transforming the way governments automate processes, from decision-making to public service delivery. This session will explore the future of AI-powered automation in government, including the challenges of implementing AI responsibly, addressing bias, and the role of AI in enhancing citizen experiences.

12:55 PM
Panel Discussion: Open Government and the Future of Digital Democracy

As governments strive for transparency and inclusivity, open data and collaborative governance models have become essential. This panel will explore how open government initiatives, driven by secure data-sharing technologies, are paving the way for a more participatory and transparent digital democracy. Experts will discuss the challenges and best practices for ensuring that public data is accessible, secure, and used responsibly to drive innovation.

01:25 PM
Building Smart Infrastructure for Smart Governments: Emerging Technologies and Specialized Hardware

The digital transformation of government infrastructure requires not only innovative software solutions but also advanced hardware. This session will cover the role of emerging technologies like quantum computing, custom chips, and digital twins in enhancing public sector IT infrastructure. Discover how these tools enable smarter infrastructure management and enhance government operations in a digital-first world.

01:40 PM
Panel Discussion: Digital Transformation in the Middle East: Vision, Progress, and Challenges

This panel will focus on the ambitious digital transformation agendas of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s digital government initiatives. Explore the region's progress in transforming public sector services and its strategic vision for the future, alongside the challenges and successes encountered along the way.

02:10 PM
Achieving Government Excellence with Hyper Automation

Governments face growing pressure to deliver quality services while managing resource constraints. Hyper-automation, which combines AI, robotic process automation (RPA), and advanced analytics, offers a way forward. This session will explore how governments are adopting hyper-automation to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and improve citizen satisfaction.

02:25 PM
Networking Break
03:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Balancing Innovation and Ethics in AI Regulation

Governments must navigate the complex landscape of AI regulation to ensure that innovation occurs alongside strong ethical and privacy protections. This session will delve into the UAE's leading role in shaping AI regulations, discussing frameworks designed to foster innovation while ensuring ethical AI use. Panelists will also explore global perspectives on balancing regulation with the need for progress.

03:20 PM
Transforming Public Sector Finance: Technology's Role in Governance

Governments across the Middle East are turning to fintech to improve the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of public financial services. This session will examine how technologies like blockchain and AI are reshaping government financial operations, enhancing citizen access to services, and enabling better management of public funds. From promoting financial inclusion to tackling fraud, we’ll explore how fintech is streamlining government finance in the region.

03:35 PM
Panel Discussion: Enhancing Citizen Services Through Digital Innovation

As digital services become the norm, the public sector is reimagining how it engages with and serves its citizens. This session will explore how emerging technologies like AI, chatbots, and personalized digital portals are transforming public service delivery, making it more accessible, responsive, and user-centric. Experts will share insights on how these innovations can improve service quality, increase citizen satisfaction, and build public trust.

04:05 PM
Closing Remarks

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Venue

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE