Keynote Speakers

Prof. Dr. Ibtesam Saeed Badhrees

Chief Research Scientist, Nuclear Technology Institute
Energy & Industry Sector, KACST

A pioneering physicist and science diplomat, Prof. Badhrees is celebrated as the first Saudi woman member of CERN (2006). Her research spans particle physics, astrophysics, medical physics, and nuclear science. Recipient of the APS "Woman Physicist of the Month" award (2014) — the first non-American woman honoured.

Prof. Dr. Ibtesam Saeed Badhrees is a Professor of Elementary Particle Physics and a pioneering research scientist whose career spans experimental particle physics, accelerator technology, medical physics, nuclear science, and science diplomacy. She holds a PhD in Particle Physics from the University of Bern and served as Chief Researcher and former Manager of the National Center for Accelerators Technology (NCAT) at KACST. She also holds a PhD in International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, an MSc in Applied Physics from Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA, and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from the same university. She is internationally celebrated as the first Saudi woman member of CERN (2006) and the first Saudi female PhD holder at the National Center for Mathematics and Physics at KACST. She is a former Adjunct Professor at Carleton University, former G20 Task Force Member, a member of the Saudi Nuclear Society, WiN Global, and senior member of the International Neutrino Experiment (EXO). She received the APS "Woman Physicist of the Month" award in August 2014 — the first non-American woman to receive this honour.

Dr. Basma AlBuhairan

Managing Director, C4IR Saudi Arabia
Affiliate of the World Economic Forum

An Eisenhower Fellow and one of Arabian Business's "100 Most Inspirational Women Leaders in the Middle East" (2025), Dr. AlBuhairan leads policy frameworks for AI, data, and quantum technologies at C4IR Saudi Arabia. She brings 25+ years of cross-sector experience across IBM, the Ministry of Investment, and healthcare leadership.

Dr. Basma AlBuhairan is the Managing Director of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Saudi Arabia, an affiliate of the World Economic Forum. She leads the development of system-level policy frameworks for emerging and frontier technologies. With more than 25 years of cross-sector experience, she has held senior roles at IBM and the Ministry of Investment; served as Deputy CEO of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital; and founded the Health Sciences and Research Center at Princess Nourah University. She also led key transformation projects at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. Previously an advisor to RDIA, she helped shape the Kingdom's national R&D policy as part of its founding team. A pioneer in Saudi media, she was among the first Saudi women to anchor English-language news. She is an Eisenhower Fellow, co-author of Living with Purpose, and was named one of Arabian Business's "100 Most Inspirational Women Leaders in the Middle East" (2025).

Abdallah Tamim

Strategy & Business Development Leader
Oracle ECEMEA

A Strategy and Business Development leader at Oracle with over 22 years of international experience across AI, digital transformation, and enterprise technology. He has advised executives at Oracle ECEMEA, SAP Canada, Salesforce Canada, ABB Switzerland, and Aramco. He holds a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, an MBA in Innovation Leadership from Canada, and is pursuing the Chief Digital Officer Program at MIT.

Abdallah Tamim is a Strategy and Business Development leader at Oracle, with more than 22 years of international experience across digital transformation, enterprise applications, AI, and business strategy. He has worked with leading global organizations including Oracle ECEMEA, SAP Canada, Salesforce Canada, ABB Switzerland, Dr. Oetker Canada, and Aramco, helping business and government leaders translate technology into real business value. With a background that spans Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Canada — where he lived and worked for a combined 15 years — Abdallah brings a truly global perspective. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, an MBA in Innovation Leadership from Canada, and is currently pursuing the Chief Digital Officer Program at MIT. Known for bridging strategy, technology, and execution, he works closely with executives to shape growth, guide transformation, and drive impactful outcomes through cloud, AI, and modern enterprise solutions.

Mr. Filip Nekvinda

Chief Information & Digital Officer
Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises

Mr. Filip Nekvinda leads digital strategy and transformation at Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises across automotive, healthcare, logistics, and diversified businesses. With over 18 years of global experience in digital transformation and innovation — including senior roles at IKEA and Procter & Gamble — he is recognised for driving large-scale digital initiatives and advancing the digital economy in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Mr. Filip Nekvinda is the Chief Information and Digital Officer at Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises, where he leads the organisation's digital strategy and transformation initiatives across multiple sectors, including automotive, healthcare, logistics, and diversified businesses. With over 18 years of global experience, he has held senior leadership roles in digital transformation and innovation across industries such as aviation, retail, and FMCG, working with leading organisations including IKEA and Procter & Gamble. Mr. Nekvinda is recognised for driving large-scale digital initiatives and fostering innovation, playing a key role in advancing enterprise transformation and supporting the growth of the digital economy in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Prof. Dr. Tarek Gaber

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
University of Salford, United Kingdom

Prof. Dr. Tarek Gaber is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at the University of Salford, UK, and a Full Professor at Suez Canal University, Egypt. With over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, AI, and Safe AI, he has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications, led research projects exceeding £7 million in funding, and is ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University.

Prof. Dr. Tarek Gaber is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Computer Science at the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Full Professor of Computer Science at Suez Canal University, Egypt (currently on leave). With over two decades of experience, his work spans cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, secure systems, and Safe AI. He holds a PhD in Computer Science (Cybersecurity) from the University of Manchester, UK. Throughout his academic career, he has held several leadership roles, including Director of the IT Unit and Head of the Department of Information Technology at Suez Canal University, as well as Programme Leader for the MSc in Cybersecurity at the University of Salford. He has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and led research projects with total funding exceeding £7 million. He is recognised among the top 2% of scientists worldwide according to Stanford University's global ranking. Prof. Gaber serves as Programme Chair for major conferences, as an invited speaker at international events, and as Associate Editor for several Q1-ranked journals including PeerJ Computer Science, PLOS One, and the Journal of King Saud University – Computer and Information Sciences. His current research focuses on resilient AI models, secure digital infrastructures, and the deployment of Safe AI solutions across industry and the public sector.

Mr. Joe Yousef Eqtait

Technology & Digital Transformation Professional

Mr. Joe Yousef Eqtait is a technology and digital transformation professional with experience in enterprise solutions, innovation, and emerging technologies. He contributes to initiatives focused on digital transformation, business optimisation, and the adoption of advanced technologies, and actively engages in industry forums on digital innovation and enterprise IT strategy.

Mr. Abdullah Aldhalaan

General Manager, Future Skills Program
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

Mr. Abdullah Aldhalaan leads Saudi Arabia's national Future Skills program at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, developing a globally competitive digital workforce aligned with Vision 2030. He holds an MBA from King Saud University and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and holds multiple PMI and PRINCE2 certifications.

Mr. Abdullah Aldhalaan is the General Manager of the Future Skills program at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Riyadh, where he orchestrates a portfolio of national-level programs to build a globally competitive, highly skilled Saudi workforce aligned with the goals of Vision 2030. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Initiatives Management at the same ministry, overseeing the planning and execution of national digital capabilities development programs and forging strategic partnerships with world-class academic institutions and industry leaders. His earlier career includes senior roles at BAE Systems as Program Manager for the Typhoon fleet supply chain strategy, a secondment to the UK as part of the Typhoon Future Capabilities Program, and project engineering positions at SAMI Advanced Electronics. He holds an MBA from King Saud University and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas, San Antonio, with executive education from IMD, INSEAD, and London Business School. He is a certified PMP, RMP, and ACP with PMI, and holds both PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner certifications. He currently serves as a Board Member of Academy 32 and Director of the Talent Development Committee at BICSI Saudi Arabia.