Dubais most anticipatedExecutive AI Gathering

Join us at an exclusive executive forum where the region's top technology and business leaders come together for an afternoon of insight, conversation, and connection.  

Monday, 13 April 2026 3:00 – 6:00 PM GST

Microsoft Office, Dubai Internet City

Limited seats · Attendance by application
 

CO-HOSTED BY

saxon-microsoft-logo

Opening Keynote : Principles of Scaling AI on Main Street

FEATURED VOICE

The Keynote Speaker

Shadman-Headshot-Environmental (1)

Shadman Zafar

Former CIO, Citi

Shadman Zafar is a globally recognized technology leader and prolific inventor who has spent decades driving transformation at Fortune 100 companies. Having served as an executive at Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Barclays, and Verizon—in leadership roles such as CIO, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Product Officer—Shadman has built award-winning technology products used by millions and scaled platforms serving 100MM+ customers. He also holds over 100 patents across finance, telecommunications, entertainment, technology, and design. Now, as CEO of Vibrant Capital, Shadman is leading the charge in scaling AI on Main Street.

Agenda

in detail

3:00 PM GST

ARRIVAL

Setting the Stage

We begin with a brief welcome and informal exchange, creating space for meaningful dialogue before the formal sessions commence.
3:30 PM GST 
 

OPENING KEYNOTE

Principles of Scaling AI on Main Street

What distinguishes enterprises that scale AI with conviction from those caught in an endless cycle of pilots?

Drawing from decades of experience leading enterprise-wide technology transformation at one of the world’s largest financial institutions, this keynote explores the leadership principles, organisational choices, and execution discipline required to move AI from experimentation to meaningful, institution-wide impact.

A grounded, practitioner-led perspective on what it truly takes for AI to reach “Main Street” — and reshape how organisations operate.

Shadman-Headshot-Environmental (1)
Shadman Zafar
Former CIO, Citi
4:30 PM GST

INTERMISSION

Short Break

A brief pause between sessions — continue conversations or refresh.
 
4:45 PM GST

EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT

CIOs on the Real AI Transformation Journey

A candid, unscripted conversation between CIOs from leading regional organisations and a senior executive from Microsoft. Expect raw discussion about what works, what fails quietly, what the board actually needs to hear, and what comes after the proof of concept.
 
Saxon founder
Moderated by Gopi Kandukuri
CEO, Saxon AI · with regional CIOs & Microsoft
5:45 PM GST
 
 

NETWORKING

Executive Networking & Closing Reception

The most valuable part of any gathering is often unscripted. The final hour is deliberately open — a curated, high-trust space for the conversations that matter most. Light refreshments and drinks are served.
 

WHO'S IN THE ROOM

Built for Leaders Moving AI Forward

CIOs & CTOs

Technology executives responsible for enterprise-wide AI strategy, architecture, and delivery at large, complex organisations across the region.

Chief Data Officers

Leaders shaping data governance, AI-readiness, and the data foundations that determine whether AI initiatives succeed or stall.

C-Suite AI Champions

Senior executives actively sponsoring AI transformation, beyond the proof-of-concept stage, focused on enterprise-wide impact and scale.

Reserve Your Seat

This is a limited-seat, invitation-only gathering designed for executives actively shaping the AI agenda at scale. All requests are reviewed before confirmation.