Gulf Business Panel: The Next Wave of Innovation

The Business Breakfast returns in April 2025 with a focus on the next wave of innovation across telecoms, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and e-mobility. This high-level panel event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the technologies shaping the future of the region’s digital economy.

The event will provide insights into the evolution of telecoms, the UAE’s AI ambitions, blockchain applications, and the rapid shift towards e-mobility. Attendees can expect engaging discussions on how emerging technologies are transforming industries, driving new business models, and influencing regulatory landscapes.

EVENT GALLERY

When: 23/04/2025 8:00 am
Where: Metropolitan Hotel Dubai (location map)

Agenda

08:00am: Registration & Breakfast

09:00am: Welcome speech by Manish Chopra, Publisher, Gulf Business

09:05am: Chair’s opening remarks by Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor, Gulf Business

09:15am: Panel Discussion: Telecoms & Cloud – The Next Frontier

• The impact of 5G Advanced and the roadmap to 6G
• The shift from telco to techco – how telecom companies are evolving into digital service providers
• The rise of sovereign cloud and its role in data security and telecom innovation

Moderator: Neesha Salian, Editor, Gulf Business

Panellists:

• Iwan Stella, Head of Strategy and Commercial Management for Ericsson Middle East and Africa;
• Cherian Varghese, Senior Vice President, AI and Cloud Infrastructure, EMEA, Oracle;
• Samar Mittal, Vice President and MEA Head of Cloud & Network Services, Nokia
• Sameer Jameel, Chief Technology Architect, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia

09:45am: Q&A

10:00am: Keynote – Mazen Nahawi, Founder and Group CEO, Carma

10:15am: Panel Discussion: Artificial Intelligence – A Regional Powerhouse

• The UAE’s growing role as an AI innovation hub
• AI-driven transformation in finance, healthcare, logistics, and security

Moderator: Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor, Gulf Business

Panellists:

• Vasudha Khandeparkar, AI, Analytics and Data Practice Lead, Business Consulting, Grant Thornton UAE
• Andreas Hassellof, CEO and founder of Ombori
• Mark Dymock Operating Partner at SC Ventures
• Mazen Nahawi, Founder and Group CEO, Carma

10:45am: Panel Discussion: Blockchain Evolution – From Pilots to Pioneers

• The UAE’s blockchain-friendly regulations and their role in attracting global innovation

Moderator: Kokila Alagh, founder and managing partner of Karm Legal

Panellists:

• Rifad Mahasneh, CEO of OKX MENA
• Alice Liu, Head of Research at CoinMarketCap
• Faisal Zaidi, President, Exscape
• Akos Erzse, Director of Public Policy at BitOasis
• Srinu Chowhan, Chief Marketing Officer, MultiBank.io

11:15am: Q&A

11:30am: Closing Remarks

EVENT GALLERY

For sponsorship opportunities and for event tickets details, please email Manish Chopra [email protected]