Mr. Abran Maldonado is a pioneering figure in the world of Artificial Intelligence, actively contributing to innovation in AI design and Metaverse. Through his work, he offers a fresh perspective in a field traditionally dominated by a limited number of voices.

Mr Maldonado has dedicated years to promoting technological education solutions in schools, utilizing advanced technologies such as 5G, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR).

As one of the early engineers who directed AI development during the era of GPT-based chat systems, He played a pivotal role in leading the AI revolution, pushing the boundaries of what this groundbreaking technology can achieve.

Mr Maldonado believes that the future of AI lies in “diversity”, emphasizing the importance of representing all communities in the development of these systems to ensure their inclusivity and fairness.

Rabih Saad is the Solutions Engineering Leader for Cisco in the Gulf and Levant region, with over 20 years of experience in technology innovation. He leads a team driving AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation across industries like media, finance, and utilities. With deep technical expertise, Rabih focuses on optimizing workflows and enhancing customer experiences. He holds a Bachelor’s in Computer and Communication Engineering and advanced certifications, including CCIE, showcasing his commitment to technological excellence.

Chady is the Regional Director of Data & AI and Innovation at Microsoft, with over 23 years of experience. He leads efforts to expand AI and analytics across the Middle East, driving digital transformation and fostering a data-driven culture. A passionate advocate for ethical AI, diversity, and inclusion, Chady inspires young professionals and collaborates with enterprises to integrate Data & AI into industries and processes, aligning with Microsoft’s vision of empowering organizations to achieve more.

Daniel is the founder & CEO of Zeotap. Being a second-time entrepreneur, Daniel used to work as Chief of Staff for the board at Vodafone and took his learnings about the power of 1st party data to build Zeotap into Europe’s leading Customer Data Platform.

Daniel has raised $110 million in capital to fund Zeotap’s growth from international institutional investors and actively helps enterprises across the globe to drive commercial outcomes and evolve their operating models by making customer data front and Centre.

Vinicius Vasconcellos is an expert with nearly 30 years of experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), specializing in the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Internet of Things.

Currently, Vinicius serves as a Senior Consultant and Head of Media Practice for Latin America at IBM. Prior to that, Vinicius held executive roles at Grupo RBS and Claro Brasil, where he led strategic projects to reinforce digital transformation and enhance customer experience.

Since 2018, Vinicius has been a board member of the Brazilian Society of Television Engineering (SET), where he contributes to shaping media strategies.

Director of News at Al Jazeera Channel (Arabic). Throughout his professional career, he has held several senior media positions within Al Jazeera network and other media outlets. He covered numerous regional and international events in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and South Africa. He also worked as a media trainer and authored publications in journalism and media. His notable works include the book “Radio and Television Work: Keys to Success and Secrets of Creativity,” in addition to two student guides: “Writing for Visual Media” and “The Television Correspondent,” both published by the Al Jazeera Media Institute for its trainees.

He has participated in numerous media conferences focusing on keeping up with media advancements and tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital media, and modern media practices.

A Creative Director with more than 30 international awards in creativity. He is an award-winning entrepreneur in the field of entrepreneurship with 25 years of experience in the media industry, specializing in innovation. He currently serves as the Creative Director of Al Jazeera Network and holds the duties of the Executive Director of Corporate Identity and International Communications. In the field of entrepreneurship, he founded several projects focusing on social impact and innovation.

Educational Background:
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media and further expanded his knowledge by completing the Executive Master’s program at HEC Paris, specializing in “Leading Digital Transformation”. In 2020, he graduated from the Qatar Leadership Centre’s Executive Program, which reinforced his commitment to excellence in leadership. Moreover, Ramzan actively participated in specialized leadership training programs at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Georgetown University, and Oxford Business School.

In the field of Artificial Intelligence, he delivered a number of courses to institutions, community members, and university students. He has also developed several digital applications based on AI in the fields of media and communication.

Researcher and professor specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning, he has authored four books and published over 500 journal and conference papers. He has contributed to major projects in the field of AI.

Mr. Bennamoun has made significant contributions to scientific research and education and is renowned for his exceptional supervision of research and excellence in teaching. He has received numerous awards, including accolades for Best Research Supervision and Best Mentorship, as well as several awards for his diverse studies.

Mr. Bennamoun regularly serves as a guest editor for leading journals and delivers keynote speeches at major international conferences. He has played a significant role in organizing conferences and serves on prestigious advisory committees.

David “Hos” Hostetter, Digital CTO at Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN), leads AI-driven innovation, blending technology with the network’s mission to amplify the “Voice for the Voiceless.” Hos spearheads projects that integrate AI, including large language models and natural language processing. His team develops cutting-edge tools like AI-powered content recommendation systems, automated translation tools, and advanced AI assistants, while upholding privacy and ethical standards. Hos has a long experience in computing and digital media, and is a patent holder and former Microsoft leader.

He serves as the Director of AI Products and Services at the Associated Press (AP), where he leads initiatives aimed at safely leveraging artificial intelligence to support journalism within the agency. Troy has dedicated his career to both news and technology, working on projects ranging from developing interactive election result maps in the newsroom to launching teams focused on news applications and data journalism at AP.

Before fully focusing on AI within AP’s product department, he helped establish the digital news team, which included the agency’s first fulltime teams for managing newsletters, social media, and digital curation.

Takashi Uesugi is a Japanese journalist, media analyst, and entrepreneur known for his advocacy of press freedom and media innovation. He founded NO BORDER NEWS TOKYO, introducing AI in Japanese news bulletins, and the Freedom of Press Association to promote transparency. A prolific author of 23 books, Uesugi has extensively covered politics and media reform. He gained prominence for investigative reporting, including coverage of the Iraq War, and has received accolades like the Magazine Journalism Award for his impactful work.

As the Head of Imagen, the leading Media Asset Management company acquired by Reuters in 2023, David Wilkinson has driven growth in venture-backed businesses through strategic decision-making in uncertain environments. A Cambridge MBA graduate and chartered accountant with EY, David leverages his analytical mindset to inform data-driven insights and decisions, helping media organizations navigate the complexities of the AI transformation.

Joey Marburger, VP of Content Intelligence at Arc XP, leads AI-driven initiatives to enhance content creation and personalization across audio, photo, and video channels. Formerly Director of Product at The Washington Post, he developed innovative digital platforms that redefined storytelling and audience engagement. Today, drawing on his experience at both Arc XP and The Washington Post, Marburger integrates emerging technologies with quality journalism, championing data-driven solutions and thoughtful AI adoption to shape the future of digital storytelling.

Ahmed Elmagarmid is Executive Director of Qatar Computing Research Institute, Acting Vice President for Research at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and Emeritus Professor at Purdue University. A former chief scientist at Hewlett-Packard, he is an IEEE Life Fellow, ACM Fellow, and AAAS Fellow. He received the ACM SIGMOD Contributions Award, the Presidential Young Investigator Award from President Reagan, and serves as co-chair of the AI National Committee. In 2020, he joined the Washington Institute’s Council of Advisors.

A Principal Scientist at the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University (2010). He served as an Associate Professor at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, USA, from 2011 to 2022.

Dr. Eltabakh has extensive experience in computing, having worked for over 8 years with major global technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM. His broad research interests are in: big data management, scalable data analytics, artificial intelligence, large language models, and distributed systems.

A veteran journalist, media executive, and certified executive coach, he regularly writes and lectures on topics such as the role of journalism, the challenges it faces, media freedom, and journalist safety.

As the co-chair of the steering committee for the “Covering Climate Now” initiative, an international media coalition dedicated to enhancing climate crisis coverage, he is at the forefront of efforts to raise public awareness of this issue.

Giles is deeply committed to high-quality journalism that informs, engages and empowers audiences. He previously served as the Managing Director of Al Jazeera English.

Seasoned entrepreneur with extensive expertise in AI strategies and digital transformation, Reema is the Founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Galaxy for Technology. She has led impactful initiatives focusing on AI-driven solutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Reema has established partnerships with leading organizations such as Tesla, the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum. She has also held significant advisory roles with Google and Alibaba, spearheading projects related to AI ethics, regulatory frameworks, and advanced AI applications across various sectors.

Reema has received numerous prestigious awards, including:

• The King Abdullah II Medal for Excellence,
• The Techwomen Award from the U.S. Senate,
• The Best Technology Project Award in San Francisco.

Director of the Cyber Security Strategies and Policies at the National Cyber Security Agency in the State of Qatar, where he oversees the development and implementation of national cyber security strategies.

Al Shafi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security from the United Kingdom and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He has an extensive experience in the field of Cyber Security and has participated in numerous panel discussions and international forums addressing Cyber Security issues, policies, and guidelines related to this critical and influential field.

Al Shafi is dedicated to advancing governance and regulatory frameworks for emerging and modern technologies and strives to build a secure and cohesive environment to address the increasing digital challenges at both the local and international levels.

Marc Owen Jones is an Associate Professor of Media Analytics at Northwestern University in Qatar, specializing in disinformation campaigns and digital authoritarianism in the Middle East. A renowned expert on social media manipulation and political repression, his research has exposed fake journalists and state-sponsored bot networks influencing global politics. He has several publications, including: “Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East” (2022). Jones has received prestigious awards, including the UK Alumni Professional Achievement Award and recognition from Foreign Affairs.

Dr Amani Alabed is an Assistant Professor of Digital Marketing at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. She has over 7 years of industry experience, working with tech start-ups and business intelligence agencies. Her research focuses on understanding the dynamics of user relationships with conversational AI agents. Her research has been published in the European Journal of Marketing, Technological Forecasting and Social Change and presented at international conferences. She actively develops AI conversational agents for education, finance, and e-commerce sectors, combining academic expertise with practical applications. She is certified by leading organizations like the Digital Marketing Institute, Microsoft, and the Conversation Design Institute in the areas of conversational AI and digital marketing.