Few of Our Speakers
50+ speakers from world’s top AI companies.
Here is a first set of speakers and we will keep adding more in coming days. Stay tuned.
Microsoft
Nitin Akarte
AI Network Director – Microsoft Inc
Nitin Akarte is a visionary leader and expert in AI networking, supercomputer
deployments, and cybersecurity, with over two decades of pioneering success in highperformance computing and global technology transformation. As the Director of AI
Integration, Planning, and Execution at Microsoft, he has driven groundbreaking
initiatives that have significantly optimized AI network deployment cycles and
infrastructure readiness. With a strong background in AI-driven strategies, network
security, and executive education from Harvard and Stanford, Nitin continues to shape
the future of AI and supercomputing with his expertise and leadership.
IBM
James Hunter
Program Director @ IBM | Driving DevOps Automation and AI
James Hunter is the Program Director for DevOps at IBM, driving automation and
generative AI to enhance software delivery speed and reliability. With over 15 years of
experience in technology leadership, he spearheads large-scale, distributed system
solutions across industries such as finance, public sector, and defense. A Chartered
Fellow of the British Computer Society, James combines his deep expertise in DevOps
with a passion for mentoring future technical leaders, regularly engaging with students
to promote the transformative power of technology in society.
PayPal
Padma Priya
Senior Engineering Manager - Machine Learning - PayPal
Padmapriya Mohankumar is an accomplished AI researcher, speaker, and innovator
with multiple patents and research publications in emerging technologies,
cybersecurity, and financial AI. Recognized among the top global tech thought leaders,
she has received prestigious awards, including the 3AI Pinnacle Award and the Women
of Excellence Award. With a strong presence in international conferences like ICON,
COMSNETS, and ICCCNT, she has contributed significantly to AI-driven solutions in
speech recognition, fraud detection, and misinformation analysis. Passionate about
mentoring and diversity, she empowers AI aspirants and professionals through her
expertise and leadership.
HCL Tech
Aniket Patange
Head of Engineering, R&D Services, and Digital Services for HCL Tech
Aniket Patange is the Head of Engineering, R&D Services, and Digital Services for HCL
Tech in the Middle East, based in Dubai. A visionary leader in digital transformation and
AI, he drives innovation and strategic advancements in cutting-edge technologies. With
a deep expertise in engineering and research, Aniket spearheads initiatives that
enhance digital solutions, foster technological excellence, and accelerate AI-driven
growth, positioning HCL Tech as a leader in the region’s evolving tech landscape.
DCT
Manish Vaidya
Data Science & Analytics Head | Business Intelligence - Department of Culture and Tourism
A results-driven leader in Data Science and Analytics, passionate about leveraging AI and data to drive innovation, optimize operations, and deliver actionable insights. With 15+ years of experience in AI ML, and data-driven strategy, I blend technical expertise with a strategic vision to create impactful solutions.
Committed to fostering collaborative, customer-centric teams, I also advise AI startups, helping them scale and navigate challenges. As a strong advocate for digital transformation, I continuously explore new technologies to drive meaningful change.
AECOM
Elizabeth Pearson
Director & PMO for Oscar (Artificial Intelligence) at AECOM
Elizabeth Pearson is a global transformation leader with expertise in marketing,
communications, and project management, currently serving as Director & PMO for
Oscar (Artificial Intelligence) at AECOM. With a background in organizational change
from Warwick Business School, she drives the global rollout of AI-driven marketing and
bid solutions, ensuring seamless collaboration across regions. Her leadership in
knowledge management, product development, and stakeholder engagement
enhances efficiency and innovation. Having worked across London, Australia, and the
Middle East, Elizabeth brings a culturally diverse perspective to driving transformative,
AI-powered solutions that optimize performance and business impact.
Aster Hospitals
Padam Sundar Kafle
Aster DM Healthcare
Padam Kafle is a visionary healthcare IT leader with over 21 years of experience driving
digital transformation in the industry. As the Head of IT, Automation, and Innovation at
Aster Hospitals UAE and Oman, he oversees technology integration across 27+
facilities, leveraging AI, IoT, RPA, and blockchain to enhance patient care and
operational efficiency. An innovator at heart, he pioneered ALIF, a groundbreaking
Healthcare AI Ecosystem, and PAHSI, a GenAI-powered personalized healthcare
system. With a strong academic background and a passion for public speaking, Padam
is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare through AI, Web3, and digital innovation.
Abu Dhabi Media Network
Imran Sheikh
Head of Unit – Artificial Intelligence
Imran Sheikh is the Head of Unit at Abu Dhabi Media Network, leading the integration of
artificial intelligence to transform media platforms. With a strong foundation in cloud
architecture and data analytics, he drives innovation to enhance audience engagement
and operational efficiency. His strategic leadership has been pivotal in aligning
technology with business objectives, ensuring the successful execution of scalable and
secure IT solutions. Through collaboration and forward-thinking planning, Imran
continues to shape the future of digital media in an ever-evolving landscape.
Wand Ai
Jean Paul Sacy
Head of Middle East and Africa - Wand Ai
Jean Paul is a dynamic transformation strategist and catalyst for organizational change,
driven by a passion for challenging the status quo and fostering high-impact networks.
With expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and AI-driven methodologies, he has led large-scale
transformation programs across diverse industries, unlocking growth and innovation.
Beyond his professional achievements, he is a dedicated mentor and community
builder, founding a coding school that trains 200 aspiring coders annually and playing a
key role in structuring the ESCP Alumni Network in the Middle East. Guided by a
relentless pursuit of excellence, Jean Paul inspires change, collaboration, and
continuous learning.
Aboitiz
Luis F. Gonzalez
Chief Operating Officer for Power and Industrials & Head of Applied Research, Aboitiz Data Innovation and Chief Data & AI Officer, Aboitiz Power Corporation
Luis F. Gonzalez is a leading expert in AI and Data Science for the power industry, driving AI deployment across Generation, Distribution, and Energy Trading at Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) and Aboitiz Power Corporation. With 25 years of global experience, he has led AI solutions and digital transformation for over 50 customers worldwide. A Co-founder of the AI Asia Pacific Institute, he also lectures at NTU and Harvard-affiliated programs. Previously, he held leadership roles at Element AI, GE Digital, and Aaqua. Luis holds degrees in International Business and Computer Science, with postgraduate specializations from MIT in AI, IoT, and Smart Manufacturing.
Aldar Properties
Tony Pagliocco
Senior Vice President - Product Management
Tony Pagliocco is a transformative leader with over two decades of experience in product management, renowned for driving innovation across industries. His expertise blends technical acumen with executive leadership, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution. He has led teams from startups to Fortune 500 giants, fostering cultures of excellence, agility, and collaboration. More than a product leader, Tony is a mentor and strategist, passionate about team synergy. His skills span Agile, data analytics, AI, and digital transformation. His mission remains clear: to lead, champion innovation, and inspire teams to create impactful products.
Republic Services
Sreeram Potukuchi
Director, Emerging Technology
Results Oriented Compassionate Executive with 26 years of experience in business, data, Al and technology leadership roles, Top Tier business education and proven track record of driving measurable results in a wide range of industries. Gained reputation for building high-performance teams. Proven Combination of strategic leadership and pragmatic management. Published co- author, speaker, governing board member of Southern California Chief Data Officer group, member of global editorial review board for CDO magazine, Chair Data Strategy board
Industrial Innovation Group
Nikita Pushkarev
Chief AI/ERP Officer
Nikita Pushkarev is an AI researcher and engineer with a strong focus on machine learning and real-world business applications. As Chief AI/ERP Officer at IG, he has led AI-driven initiatives to optimize enterprise workflows. He is also an active Al educator, conducting internal corporate lectures and workshops to help organization integrate LLMs for automation and decision support.
IDC Technologies
Vishal Mishra
Head of AI and Architecture
Vishal Mishra is a trailblazer in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, with over 18 years of experience architecting AI-driven solutions that redefine industries. As the Head of AI & Architecture at IDC Technologies, he has been at the forefront of developing next-generation AI strategies, driving large-scale enterprise AI adoption, and pioneering cutting-edge machine learning systems that power real business impact.
With a career spanning Accenture, Emirates Airlines, OLX (Dubizzle), and global tech giants, Vishal has spearheaded AI-led innovations, optimized cloud and DevOps strategies, and transformed digital ecosystems with a keen focus on scalability, governance, and responsible AI. His expertise lies in crafting AI Centers of Excellence, implementing enterprise-wide AI strategies, and mentoring elite AI teams to push the boundaries of innovation.
An AWS Certified Solutions Architect and DevOps Leader, Vishal’s influence extends beyond technology—he is a dynamic keynote speaker who brings practical, battle-tested insights on AI strategy, digital evolution, and the future of intelligent enterprises. His passion for AI-driven transformation and "Digital Transcendence" has made him a sought-after speaker at global summits, boardrooms, and industry think tanks.
Anax Holding
DEEPAK VYAS
Group Director of Engineering & Technology
With 17 years of experience spanning multiple industries—including Fintech, Trading, Real Estate, eCommerce, iGaming, Banking, Aviation, Biometrics, Media, and Monitoring—I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how technology reshapes businesses.
Currently, I lead C-level AI & ML initiatives at the holding level, focusing on leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to drive automation, predictive analytics, and decision intelligence across PropTech, Trading, and FinTech. My work involves architecting AI-driven solutions for market trend forecasting, algorithmic trading, risk assessment, and real estate valuation models. I oversee the strategic implementation of AI frameworks, ensuring scalable and regulatory-compliant deployments that enhance business efficiency and competitive advantage
Cisco
Abhinav Sharma
CTO & Director - AI & Automation Leader
Abhinav Sharma is the CTO & Director - AI and Automation Leader, CX (Customer Experience) – APJC at Cisco. He leads AI-driven automation and digital transformation, serving as the Chief Technologist for CNAAP, Cisco’s Unified Enterprise Automation Platform. With expertise in AI, ML, cloud infrastructure, and big data, he has pioneered innovations in AI/ML analytics, automated incident management, and service assurance. He also develops Managed Services Platforms for telecom enterprises, driving AI-powered efficiency, automation, and service optimization.
