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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST: MASSIVE THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY?

Problem: The Middle East is bracing itself for a rise in Artificial Intelligence across industries with market values forecast at US$320 billion by 2030. But there remains a need for regulatory framework to harness its full potential, alongside concerns of job loss and economic impact.

Solution: The UAE is at the forefront of digital adoption and could serve as a regional role model. The country has a dedicated strategy in place that seeks to integrate artificial intelligence across government platforms and create investment opportunities in various sectors, ranging from transport, space and healthcare to renewable energy, education and technology.

Panelists: Mariam Al Muhairi, Project Manager, Dubai Future Foundation and Head of UAE Centre for the fourth Industrial Revolution; Tannya Jajal, Technology Evangelist, A.I. Expert and Futurist; Andrew Collinge, Advisor, Smart Dubai; Scott Armstrong, moderator and Editor in Chief of Arabian Business.

Problem: With more than 300 million people suffering from genetic diseases around the world, raising awareness amongst policy makers and the public is vital to encouraging research and the development of life-changing treatments.

Solution: The UAE has the necessary tools that can make the country a hub for medical innovation. From state-of-the-art infrastructure and business-friendly rules and regulations to world-class companies and highly skilled talent, specialists can interpret epidemiological data to provide diagnosis, patient support, research, and funding.

Panelists: H.E. Dr. Maryam Matar, Founder and Chairperson at UAE Genetic Diseases Association; Karim Smaira, Co-Founder and CEO at Genpharm; Marwan Abdulaziz, CEO at Dubai Science Park and Scott Armstrong, moderator and Editor in Chief of Arabian Business.

Problem: Fossil fuels are on the way out, and the region, as well as entrepreneurs, need to prepare for the final shift to a sustainable, net zero future.

Solution: Investments by nations across the Middle East are laying the vital groundwork for the transition into a new energy economy that will lead the way for the rest of the world.

Panelists: Scott Armstrong, Editor in Chief at Arabian Business; Rhea Singhal, Founder & CEO of Ecoware; Karl Feilder, Chairman & CEO of Neutral Fuels; and Rory McCarthy, CCO & Partner at Yellow Door Energy.

Problem: With autonomous vehicles, electronic scooters, and on-demand automobiles, we’re on the cusp of a new era in mobility, but are we ready for the changes new transportation will bring?

Solution: Infrastructure upgrades and new perceptions on what transportation includes could usher in an unprecedented revolution in mobility as well as support more ecological and sustainable options for the wider public.

Panelists: Jaideep Dhanoa, CEO of Finex; Vilhelm Hedberg CEO of Ekar; Kyle Gilliam, Sales and Marketing Director at Al Masaood Automobiles; and Harj Dhaliwal Managing Director Middle East and India Virgin Hyperloop

BIG PHARMA SAVES THE DAY – BUT WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE INDUSTRY?

Problem: As pharma giants like Pfizer and Moderna deliver the first rounds of COVID-19 vaccines developed in less than a year, what will be next for Big Pharma in 2021 and beyond?

Solution: The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines around the world is a glimpse into how Big Pharma will incorporate digital and emerging tech to advance research and development over the next decade.

Panelists: Madhukar Tanna, CEO at Pharmax; Ayman Mokhtar, Regional President, Middle East, Turkey & Levant at Viatris; Gizem Akalin, Vice President & General Manager at GlaxoSmithKline; Moderated by Scott Armstrong, Editor-in-Chief at Arabian Business.

STARTING UP INTO KSA: HOW SAUDI ARABIA SUPERCHARGED ITS START-UP SCENE

Problem: Saudi Arabia is home to a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem with local and international investors keen on seeing what KSA start-ups have to offer. How has the kingdom managed to create such a flourishing start-up scene?

Solution: Saudi Arabia has tapped into the country’s tradition of entrepreneurship to inspire citizens and foreigners alike. With active, accelerated investment in start-up and entrepreneur support, including governmental incentives and incubator programs, KSA has transformed itself into the place to be for innovative tech.

Panelists: Yasser Alobaidan, Founder & CEO of Jawraa; Maha Shirah, Founder & CEO at SHEWORKS; Rakan Al Eidi, Founder at Chaizer; Moderated by  Hind Alsalloum, Marketing Manager at Public Investment fund.

HIRING & EMPLOYMENT: WILL 2021 BRING CHANGE OR MORE OF THE SAME?

Problem: The COVID-19 massively disrupted hiring and employment across the globe with rounds of redundancies, WFH, workforce restructuring, and more. With economies going through more waves of infection and struggling to reopen fully, will 2021 bring change or more upheaval for employers and employees?

Solution: Hiring and employment remain particularly sensitive to economic fluctuations resulting from the pandemic, but as companies find their footing in the new business landscape, adjustments will be more agile with WFH likely to stay for the foreseeable future.

Panelists: Vijay Gandhi, Regional Director of KF Digital; Talat Sheerazi Goldie, Group HR Director at Bukhatir Group; Abdulmuttalib (Talib) Hashim, Managing Director at TBH. Moderated by Abdul-Rahman Risilia, Co-founder & CEO at ARC Talent

TALKING ECONOMIES: HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?

Problem: Normally, the economy runs in cycles, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. How can we restart and maintain a working economy as the pandemic continues to affect countries around the world?

Solution: The pandemic presents an unprecedented opportunity to “reset” almost everything, including the economy, and strategically restructure it to become more resilient and agile when faced with future disruptions.

Panelists: Tim Fox, Executive-level Economic Advisor and Financial Markets Analyst; Scott Livermore, Chief Economist and Managing Director at Oxford Economics; and Ahmed Alturbak, Chief Economist at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Moderated by Aoife Kealey, Economist at Oxford Economics.

INDUSTRY 4.0: ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATIONS

Problem: Advanced technologies, including robotics and automation, are capable of performing increasingly complex tasks. With this technology available to almost every business, are we prepared for the coming industry 4.0 revolution?

Solution: Industry 4.0 will transform our current understanding of business and commerce. The technology has the potential to change the way we live and work, and with the correct implementation, Industry 4.0 will completely change the world for the better.

Panelists: Mohammad Al-Shamsi, Founder & CEO of RoboHiTec, Aswin Sarang, Head of Robotics & AI at Reliable Robotics, and Karan Dixit, VP of Sales at UiPath.

DID THE PANDEMIC END DENTISTRY AS WE KNOW IT?

Problem: With patients still hesitant to visit healthcare providers, will dentistry as we know it disappear?

Solution: Forward-thinking dental clinics have the opportunity to become leaders in the market by leaning into tech, like tele dentistry, and adapting a more agile approach to practice.

Panelists: Dr. Maged el-Malecki at Boston Dental, Dr. Mohammed Naji at Liberty Dental Clinic, Dr. Layal Ksaybi at Micris Dental Clinic, and moderator Shruthi Nair.

KICKSTARTING THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR POST COVID-19

Problem: Tourism, travel, lodging, recreational activities and F&B have reopened for business, but how can businesses balance safety with building a competitive advantage that sees profits return?

Solution: A strategized roadmap to recovery must include incentives and simultaneously boost visitor confidence by instituting the strictest hygiene and safety protocols.

Panelists: Karan Purohit, Blackspoon Management; Nader Daou, Swif, Marwan Sabb, Opaala, and Leon Surynt, Nightjar; with Arabian Business moderator, Shruthi Nair.

FINTECH’S POST-PANDEMIC POTENTIALS AND PITFALLS

Problem: With social distancing and the possibility of future lockdowns, can Fintech be the solution businesses need to recover?

Solution: Fintech could be a lifeline for companies that have to adjust rapidly to our new contactless reality.

Panelists: Mo Aideed, Commercial VP at Postpay; Abdulaziz Saja, KSA General Manager at Tabby; and Ammar Afif, Founder of Cashew, with moderator Shruthi Nair.

NAVIGATING CYBERSECURITY RISKS TO BUSINESSES

Problem: How can companies address the additional cybersecurity and connectivity issues that come with remote working?

Solution: Businesses have to take an active role in understanding, identifying, and protecting their organization and see security as a business enabler.

Panelists: Mossab Hussein, CSO & Co-founder of SpiderSilk; Dr. Aleksandar Valjarevic, VP Business Development at Help AG; and Tarek Kuzbari, Regional Director for the Middle East and Turkey at Cybereason, with moderator Shruthi Nair.

COVID-19’S DISRUPTIONS TO EDUCATION: FUTURE IMPLICATIONS

Problem: Conventional classrooms as we knew them might be gone for the foreseeable future. How will educators, students, and parents adapt, and is edtech the future for schools?

Solution: The education sector may be facing a significant transformation with edtech and distance learning playing a major role.

Panelists: Thea C. Myhrvold, Founder of GetBEE and TeachMeNow, Bader W. Alessa, CEO of MyU Learning Communication, Audrey Nakad, Co-founder of Synkers; Peter Y. Davos, Founder & Managing Director of Hale Education Group; Cody Claver, General Manager of iCademy Middle East, with moderator Shruthi Nair.

IN-STORE RETAIL’S ROAD TO RECOVERY

Problem: E-commerce has surged while brick-and-mortar retail operations have seen a drastic decrease in sales and a slow recovery. What can retailers do to ease the pain?

Solution: Brands will have to develop a strong brand purpose and online presence to reconnect with consumers.

Panelists: Heba AL Fazari, Founder & CEO of COVETI; Izabella Naessa, Head of Commercial Strategy & Digital Transformation Expert at GetBEE; Kristof Lukovich, Head of Digital, Beauty at Chalhoub Group, with moderator Shruthi Nair.

THE POST-COVID19 FUTURE OF F&B

Problem: Food aggregators have changed the way F&B operates and delivers. Where do we go from here?

Solution: F&B was one sector that quickly pivoted, adapting food mobility to address consumer behavior changes. The quick shift could mean it will be one of the first to recover.

Panelists: Nader Amiri, Founder of el Grocer; and Benjamin Mouflard, Co-Founder of ChatFood, with moderator Shruthi Nair.

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