49^th Edition

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SUMMIT

Charting Future Frontiers with AI Innovation

26^th April 2026

08:30 AM - 06:00 PM(GST)

Abu Dhabi

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SUMMIT UAE 2026

The 49th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit is part of a global series of events which has taken place in more than 10 cities across multiple continents over the past few years.

Digital Transformation is a requisite on the corporate agenda. It is fundamentally changing how businesses operate and deliver value to customers. The agenda at the Digital Transformation Summit has been meticulously crafted to identify critical approaches needed to make informed business decisions, improve operational efficiency and drive digital culture forward.

The Summit will bring together 200+ C-Level Executives, Directors, and Heads of Technology to discuss the potential of AI, Web 3.0, IoT, Quantum Computing, Cyber Security and other 4IR technologies, revealing the insights needed to embrace impactful change now!

Editions

DIGITAL LEADERS

SPEAKERS

UAE's Digital Transformation Market

$183.8 billion

MENA’s IT Spending

$140 billion

UAE’s Digital Economy Growth

$23 billion

ICT Spending in the UAE

$96 billion

AI contribution to the GDP by 2030

US$ 2.5bn

Dubai-based startups have raised across 192 transactions

$1.52 trillion

Value of the Global Smart City Market

$20 billion

Spending on Digital Technology and Emerging Tech

Advisory Board

Mohammed Ali Alawadhi

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer & Director of Digital Department
Ministry of Economy
United Arab Emirates

Aus Alzubaidi

Group Chief Information Security Officer
Director of IT & Media
MBC Group

David Millan

Chief Data & AI Officer
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

Past Speakers

H.E. Saleh Hamed

Executive Director of Digital Cloud and Infrastructure Operations
Department of Government Enablement
United Arab Emirates

Philip D. Murphy

Governor of New Jersey
United States of America

Veneeth Purushotaman

Group Chief Information Officer
Aster DM Healthcare

Ali Katkhada

Group Chief Information Officer
Depa United Group

Jayakumar Mohanachandran

Group Chief Information Officer
Buzeki Enterprises Ltd.

Aus Alzubaidi

Group Chief Information Security Officer
Director of IT & Media
MBC Group

Rizwan Tufail

Group Chief Data Officer
PureHealth

Vishal Kapil

Group Chief Technology Officer
MAIR Group

Walid Hizaoui

Group Chief Transformation & Strategy Officer
Gargash Group

Nikhil Chaturvedi

Chief IT & Digitalisation Officer
RAK Ceramics Group

Manish Agarwal

Chief Information Officer
MH Enterrprises LLC

Sridhar Karlapudi

Chief Operating Officer
Bank of Sharjah

Julian Gutierrez

Chief Technology Officer
Furaha Financial

Mohammed Ali Alawadhi

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer & Director of Digital Department
Ministry of Economy
United Arab Emirates

David Millan

Chief Data & AI Officer
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

Pavel Shorokhov

Former Chief Data Officer
Magnit

Zaheer Mubarak Shaikh

Chief Information Security Officer
Al Maryah Community Bank

Shaytel Patel

Group SVP - Technology Audit
DP World

Naima AL FALASI

Senior Vice President Porfolio Strategy
Mubadala

Maaz Zahid Qureshi

Vice President - Digital | CX | AI
ADNOC Distribution

Valerie Hawley

Executive Director
Sorbonne Center of Artificial Intelligence (SCAI)
Paris Sorbonne University
Abu Dhabi

Hussein Jaghoub

Group Director - Technology & Cyber Audit
DP World

Aditya Kaushik

Director Of Information Communication Technology
ZMI Holdings

Larissa Dorothea Murmann

Digital Chief HR Officer
Unilever

Dr Reem Lebhar

Senior Advisor
The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum

Phil Starrett

CTO and Strategy Lead, MENA
Adobe

Edd Atcheson

Head of Innovation, MENA
Adobe

Paulo Fernandes

Lead Solution Architect
OutSystems

Paul Cox

Channel Manager – MEA
Exclaimer

Oleg Baranov

CEO
Flametree

Mourad Jaakou

VP/General Manager, Amplify
Axway

Jeroen Delbarre

Product Line Director, Amplify
Axway

Saranraj Sathyamoorthy

Senior Architect
Xebia

Jamal Khatouri

Strategic Account Manager - Middle East and Africa
HashiCorp

Ozgur Savas

Senior Director
Sales Engineering EMEA - Fastly

Shafiullah Ismail

Vice President
Head of Information Security & Risk
Mubadala Capital

Yosef Schritt

Head of Smartsheet Practice
Accienta

Akshay Shankar

Regional Sales Lead
Freshworks

Giby Jude George

Chief Information Officer
Al Dahra

Odeh Mahmoud

Chief Executive Officer
BOTTEQ Automation

Michael Mattacola

Chief Business Officer
CoreWeave

Simon Vilitskiy

Senior Account Executive
OutSystems

Why Attend ?

Learn & Grow

Elevate your professional growth with engaging discussions and collaborative workshops that are shaping the industry.

Explore the Latest Innovations in Digital Solutions

Gain valuable insights from renowned Innovation & Technology experts, including pioneers and leaders from the region, as they share real-world use cases and practical perspectives.

Collaborative Partnerships

Collaborate with industry peers to collectively shape the future collectively and exchange experiences.

Connect with Trusted Technology Partners

Connect and meet one-on-one with potential global partners who can provide tailored guidance to help you achieve your critical business objectives.

Maximized ROI

The Digital Transformation Summit is a time-saving, highly informative, accessible, and professional business platform designed for experienced technology professionals and digital experts.

DT 100

Unveiling Our definitive compilation of 100 exceptional individuals who have emerged as trailblazers, innovators, and influencers in their respective domains. These individuals have made exceptional contributions to advancing technology.

Featured Discussions

AI and the Digital Economy: Shaping the UAE's Path to 2071

How AI is becoming an integral part of UAE’s business practices, government services, and everyday life, enhancing the quality of life and driving economic growth.
The integration of AI within the UAE’s digital economy strategy, focusing on how it boosts government performance and provides quick, efficient solutions to challenges.
Key government initiatives and innovative projects designed to drive sustainable economic growth through digital transformation.
The strategic role of UAE government in fostering innovation, building cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and nurturing a knowledge-based economy.

Pioneering AI Governance, Regulation, and Transforming Policy for the Future

Turning ambitious visions into deliverable projects and its applications to AI policy, avoiding abstract or implausible science fiction scenarios
Strategies for developing practical, future-ready AI policies that are grounded in real-world applications and experiences.
The importance of combining new technologies with global policy development to create a sustainable and beneficial AI ecosystem.
Best practices for balancing innovation with governance to ensure AI technologies are implemented in ways that are ethical, transparent, and beneficial to all.
The role of AI governance in fostering public trust safeguarding privacy, and ensuring the security of AI systems within the UAE and beyond.
The importance of forward-thinking regulation that anticipates the long-term impacts of AI on society and the economy.
Collaborative efforts between government, industry, and academia to continuously refine AI governance practices as technologies evolve.

Benchmarks and Methodologies to create a Safe, Trusted, & Reliable Artificial Intelligence

Strategies to ensure AI systems treat all individuals fairly, avoiding discrimination based on personal characteristics.
Methods to ensure AI recommendations and decisions are equitable and unbiased.
Techniques to develop AI systems that operate reliably and safely across diverse conditions.
Best practices for maintaining consistency and building trust in AI systems through reliable performance.
Approaches to safeguard privacy and maintain the security of AI systems, protecting confidential information from breaches and attacks.
Ensuring AI systems are resilient against cyber threats and attempts to compromise data integrity.
Importance of making AI systems transparent and understandable to users.
Techniques for explaining AI decision-making processes to ensure users understand how impactful decisions are made.
Collaborating on global best practices for the responsible and trustworthy use of AI.
Analyzing the business case for AI implementation, including potential benefits and ROI.
Case studies / examples of successful AI deployments that demonstrate tangible value and strategic advantages.

Weighing the pros & cons of Single vs. Multi- Cloud Approaches for AI Deployment

Benefits of sticking to a single cloud provider, including simplified management, privacy, and control.
Cost considerations and potential savings associated with using one cloud vendor.
How single-cloud solutions might offer a streamlined experience but can lead to vendor lock-in.
Advantages of a multi-cloud approach, such as optimised spending, enhanced performance, and greater flexibility.
How leveraging multiple public cloud providers can improve speed and efficiency in AI and ML deployments.
Case studies demonstrating successful multi-cloud strategies and their impact on business performance.
Challenges associated with vendor lock-in in a single-cloud environment and how multi-cloud strategies can alleviate these issues.
Techniques for avoiding dependency on a single provider and ensuring business continuity and agility.
Key considerations and best practices for migrating AI and ML projects to the cloud.
Strategies for planning and executing complex cloud migrations to minimize disruption and maximize benefits.
Emerging trends in cloud computing and AI that are shaping the future of multi-cloud strategies.
How businesses can stay ahead of technological advancements by adopting flexible and innovative cloud solutions.

Transforming the Future of Cybersecurity with Artificial Intelligence

Strategies for using AI to automate response actions, such as isolating affected assets and mitigating threats in real-time.
How generative AI can create original content, including natural language text and images, based on patterns in existing data.
Applications of generative AI in synthesising data and generating actionable recommendations with appropriate context.
Techniques for using AI to turn complex data into actionable recommendations that enhance decision-making and response strategies.
The role of context in interpreting AI-generated insights and making informed security decisions.
Strategies for developing a resilient cybersecurity posture using AI, including predictive analytics and proactive threat hunting.
Integrating AI into existing security frameworks to enhance overall resilience and adaptability to emerging threats.
Emerging trends and innovations in AI that are shaping the future of cybersecurity.
How businesses can prepare for and adapt to future advancements in AI and cybersecurity technologies

Unlocking Business Value and Revenue Growth through IT: The CIO's Strategic Agenda

Strategies for ensuring IT initiatives are closely aligned with business objectives to drive revenue growth and enhance overall value.
Communicating the strategic importance of IT investments to executive leadership and stakeholders effectively.
Leveraging emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and data analytics to create new revenue streams and improve business performance.
Evaluating the commercial value of IT projects, including cost- benefit analysis, ROI, and their impact on business operations.
The CIO Agenda for 2025, Key priorities for CIOs and technology executives, including digital transformation, cybersecurity, and innovation.
Developing a strategic technology roadmap for 2025 that aligns with evolving business needs and market trends.

Harnessing the Power of Data, AI, and Digital Infrastructure for a Competitive Edge

The rapid evolution of AI, machine learning, and the metaverse is escalating the demand for data and computing power.
The convergence of AI and cloud computing is expanding innovation possibilities and enhancing business productivity.
The competitive edge businesses gain by integrating these technologies into their operations.
The factors propelling investment in digital infrastructure, including the rapid evolution of AI, machine learning, and the metaverse.
The rising demand for data and computing power as these technologies become more accessible and mainstream.
Unprecedented opportunities and existential risks posed by achieving singularity and true digital intelligence

Modernizing Legacy Systems in the AI Era: Revolutionizing IT Operations and Design

Legacy systems are often a significant barrier to achieving strategic business objectives, holding companies back from realizing their full potential.
The lack of comprehensive knowledge about legacy systems, often due to the absence of original development teams and poor documentation, complicates modernization efforts.
Legacy systems contribute to accumulating technical debt, which increases operating costs and limits agility.
Survival Tactic for CTOs and CIOs: In a technology-driven competitive landscape, modernizing legacy systems has shifted from being a strategic option to a survival necessity for technology leaders.
Generative AI enables faster legacy modernization processes, minimizing the risks traditionally associated with such transformations.
The AI's ability to dynamically generate code and automate DevOps processes elevates the maturity and efficiency of IT operations.
Generative AI's capabilities can be leveraged to understand and optimize the underlying architecture of legacy systems during the modernization process.

Data Center Dilemma: Choosing Between Building and Renting – Risks, Rewards, and Strategies

With data doubling every two years, driven by the proliferation of smart devices and the impending surge of the Internet of Things (IoT), businesses are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges in managing their data needs.
Benefits of owning a data center, including the ability to control all aspects of the operating environment, versus the flexibility of renting, which allows for easy scalability without significant capital expenditure.
Financial implications of building versus renting a data center, including the impact on CAPEX and OPEX, and how these decisions align with long-term business goals.
How the decision to build or rent a data center can affect a company's ability to adapt to future technological advancements and data demands.
Real-world cases studies of companies that have successfully navigated the build vs. rent dilemma, highlighting the financial and operational outcomes of their decisions.
Speed to Market: The critical importance of accelerating revenue generation through quick deployment while ensuring robust mechanisms are in place to manage and control the construction process effectively. Minimising missed opportunity costs from delays

Supercharging AI with Quantum Computing, A new era in tech disruption

Fundamental concepts of quantum computing and AI, and how their combination could revolutionize technology.
Explore the basics of quantum computing and AI, and discuss how merging these technologies can create powerful synergies. Why this combination is set to be a game-changer in the tech industry.
Examine how quantum-AI combinations might address critical challenges in encryption and data security.
Analyze how quantum computing’s ability to handle complex calculations can enhance AI's capabilities in encryption, leading to more secure systems.
Explore potential applications in safeguarding data and addressing emerging security threats.
Dive into Quantum Artificial Intelligence and its subset, Quantum Machine Learning, and their impact on AI advancements.
The benefits of quantum computing’s data processing capabilities for AI applications.
Identify the potential innovations and advancements driven by the synergy of AI and quantum computing.

JOB TITLES

Chief Information Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Information Security Officer
Chief Digital Officer
Chief Data Officer
Chief Data Scientist
Digital Advisors- Government
Directors / VPs / GMs/ Heads of IT
Directors / VPs / GMs/ Heads of Digital Solutions
Directors / VPs / GMs/ Heads of Digital Transformation

Data Scientist
Digital Procurement Heads
Digital Advisors - Government Sector
Head of IT Infrastructure
Head of IT Operations
Heads of Information Security
Head of Analytics / AI
Head of Data Engineering
Head of RPA
Head of Data Science and Analytics

INDUSTRY FOCUS

Government

Oil/Energy

BFSI & Fintech

Telecom

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Logistics & Supply Chain

Ecommerce & Retail

Packaging

Pharma & Life sciences

Media

Health & Wellness

Construction

Utilities

Education

Partners 2025

Lead Partners

Media Partners

Past Partners

Past Supporting Partners

SERIES PARTNERS

What Clients Say

Media Coverage

Testimonials

I had really good conversations today with the number of delegates coming from the region and other places. Quite likely we we will consider it for the next year or your next city. The overall conversations were really good probably some of the really interesting conversations in change management and practical side of it and were really interesting.

I would rate the overall event a 9 out of 10 because it was very strategic and focused, with a mix of decision makers and influencers in attendance. We expect to have a good number of conversions with the enterprise accounts we met, and we are looking forward to working with Exito again in the future. There is a great scope for collaboration and we appreciate the opportunity to participate in this event.

We have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Digital Transformation Summit, we have attended various talks and have enjoyed listening in about the importance of technology and how important it is to work with people and technology we have also had great discussions with key business leaders that we would like to reach out to and we thank the Exito team for facilitating them and thank you for having us.

I enjoyed the event and found the delegate profiles and presentations very informative. I had productive conversations with potential customers and prospects, and I believe we will generate a decent list of leads for our company. The venue, food, and crowd were all excellent, and I had many interesting conversations and gained a lot of knowledge. We will definitely consider sponsoring DTS in the future.

It was absolutely beyond my expectations. I've attended and sponsored many events in the past, but the kind of turnaround we've seen in this event is fabulous. We're leaving with a good number of opportunities in hand.The discussions have been good, helping us find potential areas of collaboration. These one-to-one meetings have aided networking and identifying collaboration areas. We felt it is more relevant to the portfolio we carry.

I think it is a fabulous event. I got a chance to meet very high level people from the government sector and various industries. I think one-to-one meetings were quiet helpful for us about the customers who wanted to visit us. More than 70-80% of delegates were related to our business.These type of events are helpful for customers and vendors to communicate and give opportunity to learn on market demand and provide solutions to those customers.

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With a name that embodies triumph, Exito is not just a business solutions company; it’s a visionary force dedicated to shaping bespoke solutions and forging new pathways across diverse industries. For over 14 years, we have proudly orchestrating remarkable B2B events worldwide & cultivated a profound connection with the global tech industry, propelling innovation and driving growth. Our passion lies in crafting immersive platforms that generate untapped business opportunities for our esteemed clients.

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Contacts

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SUMMIT

26th April 2026

08:30 AM - 06:00 PM(GST)

Abu Dhabi

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SUMMIT UAE 2026

Editions

DIGITAL LEADERS

SPONSORS

SPEAKERS

UAE's Digital Transformation Market

$183.8 billion

$140 billion

$23 billion

$96 billion

US$ 2.5bn

$1.52 trillion

$20 billion

Advisory Board

Mohammed Ali Alawadhi

Aus Alzubaidi

David Millan

Past Speakers

H.E. Saleh Hamed

Philip D. Murphy

Veneeth Purushotaman

Ali Katkhada

Jayakumar Mohanachandran

Aus Alzubaidi

Rizwan Tufail

Vishal Kapil

Walid Hizaoui

Nikhil Chaturvedi

Manish Agarwal

Sridhar Karlapudi

Julian Gutierrez

Mohammed Ali Alawadhi

David Millan

Pavel Shorokhov

Zaheer Mubarak Shaikh

Shaytel Patel

Naima AL FALASI

Maaz Zahid Qureshi

Valerie Hawley

Hussein Jaghoub

Aditya Kaushik

Larissa Dorothea Murmann

Dr Reem Lebhar

Phil Starrett

Edd Atcheson

Paulo Fernandes

Paul Cox

Oleg Baranov

Mourad Jaakou

Jeroen Delbarre

Saranraj Sathyamoorthy

Jamal Khatouri

Ozgur Savas

Shafiullah Ismail

Yosef Schritt

Akshay Shankar

Giby Jude George

Odeh Mahmoud

Michael Mattacola

Simon Vilitskiy

Why Attend ?

Learn & Grow

Explore the Latest Innovations in Digital Solutions

Collaborative Partnerships

Connect with Trusted Technology Partners

Maximized ROI

DT 100

Featured Discussions

JOB TITLES

INDUSTRY FOCUS

Partners 2025

Lead Partners

Media Partners

Past Partners

26^th April 2026