The 18th annual IDC Middle East CIO Summit concluded yesterday with resounding success, reinforcing its status as the region’s premier platform for technology decision-makers. Held at the Grand Hyatt Dubai on February 19–20, 2025, under the theme “Architecting an AI-Fueled Business,” the summit provided a deep dive into AI’s transformative potential, equipping enterprises with strategies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Setting the tone for the event, Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s group vice president and regional managing director for META, Central Asia, and India, underscored AI’s game-changing role in the digital era. “AI is no longer just a future ambition — it is today’s competitive advantage. With a projected $19.9 trillion impact on the global economy by 2030, AI is reshaping industries, creating new revenue streams, and redefining the role of technology leaders.” His keynote unveiled groundbreaking insights from IDC’s extensive research around critical areas such as AI adoption road maps, AI-ready data governance, scalable enterprise infrastructure, and the pressing need for talent development to bridge the region’s growing skills gap.
The summit featured specialized technology tracks tailored to a variety of industry priorities, including AI-enabled applications, AI and GenAI investments, next-generation data strategies, cloud security, modern cybersecurity, software development, and IT automation in the AI era. Each track delivered valuable perspectives on how enterprises can navigate the challenges of AI adoption while maximizing business outcomes.
The event opened with a thought-provoking address from H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, who outlined the critical role of AI in strengthening cybersecurity, national digital resilience, and economic growth. His insights laid the foundation for key discussions on securing organizations in an AI-driven landscape.
A major highlight of the summit was the exclusive “For the CIO, By the CIO” leadership sessions that saw respected industry experts share their firsthand experiences of driving AI-powered transformation strategies. The discussions addressed a series of vital topics, such as strategies for attracting, retaining, and upskilling IT talent for AI-driven enterprises, fostering cross-functional collaboration in future enterprises, optimizing IT spending while maintaining innovation, and leveraging AI to deliver superior customer experiences.
In addition, a high-profile government CIO panel, moderated by Jyoti Lalchandani, brought together esteemed officials, including Lt. Col. Saeed Al Shebli, deputy director of the digital security department at the UAE’s Ministry of Interior; Eng. Saad AlQahtani, deputy minister of digital transformation and IT at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment; Eng. Huda Ahmed Mohsen, chief of IT at Bahrain’s Ministry of Information Affairs; and Eng. Meshal Bin Hussain, chief AI officer and IT director at the UAE’s Ministry of Finance. The panel explored how AI is revolutionizing public services, digital governance, and national digital transformation strategies across the region.
Looking ahead, IDC is thrilled to announce the 19th edition of the IDC Middle East CIO Summit, which will take place next year on February 11–12. As AI continues to redefine industries, next year’s summit promises to deliver even deeper insights into the evolving digital landscape. More details will be unveiled in the coming months.
