GovTech Conclave

29th April 2025 | Rixos Marina 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
Ahmed Al Hammadi Vice President
Cloud & Digital Infrastructure, e& enterprise
speaker
Aisha Saeed Harib Innovation Council President
Dubai Police
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
Dr. Fareed Mahmoud Abdalla Alameeri Chief Strategy Officer
Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park
speaker
Fadi Salem Director Policy Research and Advisory
Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG)
speaker
Ghaith Alsuwaidi Chief AI Officer
Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment, Digital Dubai
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
Manish Vaidya Data Science & Analytics Head
Department of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi
speaker
Moe Abeidat Director of the Digital Transformation Unit
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
speaker
Mohammad Almansoori Chief AI Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
speaker
Dr. Nahed Alawadhi Director of Strategy & Governance
Dubai Health Authority
speaker
Tetiana Prykhodko Head of GovTech Observatory
Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv

Sponsors

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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. The speaker will highlight how technology is empowering governments to deliver faster, more responsive services while meeting the demands of the digital age.

speaker
Kenneth Oye Director of MIT Program on Emerging Technologies
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
10:50 AM
Driving the Next Wave of Digital Government Innovation

As governments accelerate their digital transformation, the challenge is no longer just about adopting new technologies—it’s about integrating them seamlessly to create impact at scale. This session examines how cloud, AI, and advanced analytics are reshaping public sector infrastructure, enabling more agile, secure, and citizen-centric services. What are the key enablers for governments to move from innovation pilots to widespread implementation?

speaker
Ahmed Al Hammadi Vice President
Cloud & Digital Infrastructure, e& enterprise
11:20 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.

speaker
Ghaith Alsuwaidi Chief AI Officer
Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment, Digital Dubai
speaker
Mohammad Almansoori Chief AI Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
11:45 AM
MIT SMR Connections Briefing - e& enterprise
11:45 AM
MIT SMR Connections Briefing - Coursera
11:45 AM
Networking Break


12:15 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.

Reserved for Logitech

12:30 PM
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.

speaker
Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem Al Zaabi National Risk and Policy Director
Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing
speaker
Lt. Colonel Dr.Hamad Khalifa Al Nuaimi Head of Telecommunication - Infrastructure Dept. ICT Center
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ
01:25 PM
Efficient, Effective, and Accessible Digital Governments

Technology is allowing governments to be inclusive, resilient, and effective. This session explores real-world examples of how technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and mobile platforms build robust systems, foster cross-sector collaboration, and prioritize citizen services. From integrating technology, enhancing public service delivery, improving transparency, and ensuring accessibility for all citizens, discover the practical steps and challenges in creating a future-ready society through digital transformation.

speaker
Amna Al Owais Chief Registrar
Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
01:40 PM
Panel Discussion: Cloud Migration for Digital Governments: Balancing Agility, Security, and Sovereignty

Governments are moving to the cloud to enhance scalability, efficiency, and service delivery—but migration comes with complex challenges. This session examines strategic approaches to cloud adoption in the public sector, addressing data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and the trade-offs between hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-prem solutions. How can governments modernize infrastructure while maintaining control and resilience?

Panel reserved for e& enterprise

02:10 PM
Redefining Public Sector Efficiency with 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.

speaker
Her Excellency Dr. Ohoud Shehail Director General
Department of Digital Ajman
02:55 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. Open government initiatives don’t exist in isolation—they thrive when supported by strong innovation networks,  and best practices for ensuring that public data is accessible, secure, and used responsibly to drive innovation.

speaker
Dr. Fareed Mahmoud Abdalla Alameeri Chief Strategy Officer
Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park
speaker
Fadi Salem Director Policy Research and Advisory
Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG)
speaker
Dr. Nahed Alawadhi Director of Strategy & Governance
Dubai Health Authority
03:20 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.

Reserved for Teleperformance

03:35 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.

speaker
JT Lone Director of Digital Transformation and PMO
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
speaker
Moe Abeidat Director of the Digital Transformation Unit
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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
04:00 PM
The Next Frontier of Digital Identity: Secure, Scalable, and Citizen-Centric

As digital services expand, secure and efficient identity systems are essential. This presentation will explore how governments in the Middle East are implementing digital identity frameworks, the role of blockchain and biometrics in authentication, and strategies for ensuring accessibility while protecting privacy.

Reserved for Verint

04:15 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.

speaker
Manish Vaidya Data Science & Analytics Head
Department of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi
speaker
Aisha Saeed Harib Innovation Council President
Dubai Police
04:40 PM
Closing Remarks

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Venue

Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates