The Thinkers and AI Strategists Driving GovTech Conclave 2026
Meet the leaders, AI strategists, and academic experts redefining how governments design, deploy, and govern technology in the Middle East.
Topics
News
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- Khazna’s DXB8 Becomes World’s First Zero-Waste-Certified Data Center
- ServiceNow Flags Geopolitical Drag Despite Narrow Q1 Beat
- DIFC Eyes 25,000 Jobs, $3.5bn Boost as World’s First AI-Native Finance Hub
- Amazon Deepens Anthropic Ties With Up to $25 Billion Investment
MIT Sloan Management Review Middle East is proud to announce its distinguished lineup of speakers for GovTech Conclave 2026, taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This year’s speakers represent a cross-section of chief data and digital officers, cybersecurity leaders, AI strategists, and academic experts—individuals who are actively shaping how governments are reinventing themselves for a digital-first era.
The second edition of the conclave, themed Re-architecting Governance for a New Digital Order, will convene leaders from ministries, regulatory bodies, sovereign institutions, global academia, and multilateral organisations.
Through keynotes and panels, the following speakers will examine how governments can shift from merely reacting to services to institutions capable of effectively managing emerging technologies.
Policy & Governance
Daniel Jackson
Associate Director of CSAIL & Professor of Computer Science | MIT
Computer Scientist Daniel Jackson is best known as the principal designer of the Alloy modelling language and the author of influential books based on software dependability. His work has spanned collaborations with organisations such as NASA, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Toyota, and he has been recognised as a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery for his contributions to software engineering.
Kenneth Oye
Director, MIT Program on Emerging Technologies
Political scientist and MIT professor Kenneth Oye’s research focuses on how societies can adapt governance and regulation in the face of pervasive uncertainty associated with rapidly evolving technologies. Oye has advised institutions, including the United Nations, the WHO, and U.S. government bodies, on emerging technologies, global health risks, and regulatory strategies for managing scientific uncertainty.
Dr. Ott Velsberg
Government Chief Data Officer | Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, Estonia
Renowned government IT specialist Dr. Ott Velsberg leads the development and implementation of Estonia’s national data and AI policy, helping shape how data is used responsibly and strategically across the public sector. He has deep expertise in data governance, data science, and digital transformation. He holds a PhD in informatics, bringing both technical and strategic insight to the development of data-driven governance frameworks.
Her Excellency Mariam Mohamed AlMusharrekh
Director General of Government Talent | Department of Government Enablement | Abu Dhabi
H.E. Mariam Mohamed AlMusharrekh leads strategy and execution around public-sector human capital, workforce capability, and institutional performance at Abu Dhabi DGE. She has spent over 14 years at Miral, most recently serving as Chief Group Human Resources Officer and previously as Executive Director and Director of Human Resources, overseeing large-scale organisational transformation and talent strategy across the group. She has held roles at Standard Chartered Bank as Senior HR Business Partner and at Emirates NBD in relationship management.
Digital & Data Leadership
George Yacoub
Chief Digital & Information Officer – Executive Advisor to Under Secretary | UAE Government
George Yacoub plays a central role in shaping the UAE’s digital strategy and advancing interoperable, citizen-centric government platforms. His work focuses on aligning enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and digital governance frameworks to enable public services across ministries and agencies. With 25+ years of experience in large-scale IT modernisation and digital health transformation, he has led the design and deployment of governance systems while safeguarding privacy and public trust.
Dr. Abdalla Sulaiman Alhammadi
Chief Innovation Officer & Strategy Director | Ministry of Justice
Dr. Abdalla Sulaiman Alhammadi is known for his pioneering work in driving innovation within the Ministry of Justice. He created the Ideas Management System and the Innovation Platform 2071, both recognized internationally. Dr. Alhammadi’s initiatives in AI, blockchain, and digital transformation have revolutionized service delivery, setting a new standard for excellence in public sector innovation.
Ahmad Sirka
Chief Data Officer | Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council
Ahmad Sirka is a data and analytics expert with more than 16 years of experience across data strategy, governance, and business intelligence. His work focuses on building enterprise data architectures, integrating complex data environments, and applying advanced analytics, including AI models, to support evidence-based decision-making. With deep expertise in data quality, compliance, and performance management, he has strengthened data-driven operations across government institutions.
Manish Vaidya
Head of AI | Data & AI Department, Strategic Affairs, Department of Culture & Tourism
With 15+ years of experience in AI, ML, and data-driven strategy, Vaidya specializes in transforming complex datasets into actionable insights. Committed to fostering collaboration, he also advises AI startups, helping them scale and navigate challenges. His work at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) demonstrates a commitment to innovation in the public sector, likely focused on enhancing visitor experiences, optimizing cultural initiatives, and improving tourism services through data-driven methodologies.
Muzoun Al Nuaimi
Head of Data | Sharjah Digital Department
Muzoun Al Nuaimi is a business intelligence professional with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and translating complex data into actionable insights. Her work centers on applying analytics to inform strategy and improve organizational performance across business contexts. Prior to this role, Al Nuaimi co-founded Mathnasium Al Juraina and held several senior roles in data and analytics.
Dr. Fayid Kadambodan
Assistant IT Director | Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority
Dr. Fayid Kadambodan is an AI and digital transformation expert with a PhD in artificial intelligence and extensive experience delivering enterprise-wide innovation. He specializes in modernizing operations, enhancing organizational efficiency, and translating complex digital challenges into measurable outcomes. His work combines strategic vision with practical execution, driving technology-enabled transformation across diverse organizational contexts.
Dr. Rafael Lemaitre
Partner | Strategy, Growth, and Innovation Lead UAE Market Leader | SIA
Dr. Rafael Lemaitre has advised a wide range of government entities on developing innovation strategies, designing governance frameworks, and strengthening organisational capabilities, while playing an active role in shaping the broader UAE innovation ecosystem.
His work has included collaborations with the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation, the Ministry of Interior, and Abu Dhabi Ports, among others. Rafael holds a PhD in Innovation from the United Nations University and Maastricht University.
Security & Ecosystems
Abdulla Alsuwaidi
Director of Cyber Security Planning and Performance | Dubai Electronic Security Center
Abdulla Alsuwaidi’s career spanned Dubai Police, DESC, du, and Dubai Internet City. His experience gives him a holistic view of how digital resilience is built within government ecosystems. His work focuses on aligning cybersecurity priorities with organizational goals and strengthening performance frameworks that support secure, data-driven public services.
Shafiullah Ismail
Senior Vice President & Head of Information Security and Risk | Mubadala Capital
Shafiullah Ismail is a cybersecurity strategist with over 16 years of experience in digital security. He has designed and executed mission-critical initiatives across sectors, advancing cybersecurity as a business enabler and safeguarding critical information assets. Certified in CISSP, CISA, CISM, and CGEIT, he is recognized for translating technical security challenges into strategic organizational value.
Kelly Ommundsen
Head of Digital Inclusion & Executive Committee Member | World Economic Forum
At the WEF, Kelly Ommundsen leads global initiatives to ensure digital transformation delivers equitable outcomes for all. In this role, she oversees vital programmes such as the EDISON Alliance—which has helped expand access to essential digital services for over a billion people—and the Forum’s GovTech and regulatory innovation efforts. She has extensive experience building cross-sector coalitions, driving digital inclusion in humanitarian and public-sector contexts, and shaping trustworthy and resilient governance frameworks.
