Pillar I
Pillar 2
Pillar 3
AGENDA
Registration & Welcome Reception
08:30 - 09:30
From Vision to Execution: Lebanon’s National AI Strategy
09:30 - 09:45
• Unveiling MITAI’s execution roadmap
Dr. Kamal Shehadi
Minister of State for Technology &
Artificial Intelligence
Dialogue with the President of the Council of Ministers
09:45 - 10:00
Moderator
Rima Maktabi
United Kingdom’s Bureau Chief
Al Arabiya News Network
Panelist
H.E. Dr. Nawaf Salam
SHORT BREAK | 10:00 - 10:05
The MITAI Roadmap in Focus
10:05 - 10:30
• A deep dive into the key pillars, priorities and implementation milestones that will shape Lebanon’s AI-driven future.
Dr. Kamal Shehadi
Minister of State for Technology & Artificial Intelligence
Walid Mansour
Co-Founder and Co-CEO of MEVP
Keynote Address
10:30 - 10:50
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti
Head of Cybersecurity for the
UAE Government
Conversation
10:50 - 11:05
Moderator
Rima Maktabi
United Kingdom’s Bureau Chief
Al Arabiya News Network
Panelist
H.E. Juma Abdullah Alkaabi
Executive Director of Innovation ICP
UAE Government
NETWORKING BREAK | 11:05 - 11:20
The Transformative Power of AI in Government
11:20 - 11:35
Discussion points:
• A look at successful nationwide implementations of AI, complemented by regional and global case studies.
Nizar Hneini
Managing Director of
Roland Berger Middle East
Lebanon 2.0: Building an AI-Ready Nation
11:35 - 11:50
Discussion points:
• The critical role of governments in unlocking AI’s full potential through national strategies, infrastructure, regulation, talent development, and innovation.
• Drawing on global case studies and tailored recommendations, we’ll explore how Lebanon can leapfrog in AI maturity and become a regional hub for responsible and impactful AI development.
George Nazi
Chief Executive Officer of
SCAI
Driving Inclusion with AI
11:50 - 12:05
Discussion points:
• Showcasing Visa’s commitment to responsible AI innovation and its role in empowering economies, improving financial access, and transforming the future of digital payments in emerging markets and globally.
Moderator
Karl Abou Zeid
Founder & CEO of
Fundbot
Panelist
Leila Serhan
SVP and Group Country Manager for North Africa, Levant & Pakistan (NALP) of
VISA
From Breaches to Boardrooms: Cyber Resilience in an AI-Accelerated World
12:05 - 12:25
Discussion points:
• How AI-fueled threats, identity fraud, and rising regulatory pressures are reshaping cybersecurity
• What governments, investors, and business leaders must do next to stay resilient
Moderator
Sandra Salame
General Manager at
Crestan International
Panelists
Charles Fakhry
Key Accounts Director EMEA of
OneSpan
Toufic Abillamah
Country Manager META region at
Akamai
Will Gray
Director EMEA of
SecurityScorecard
NETWORKING BREAK | 12:25 - 12:40
AI for Human Beings
12:40 - 12:55
Discussion points:
• Exploring AI through the lens of user-centric design
• Introducing the seven key patterns of AI
• Highlighting how leading global institutions are applying the key patterns of AI to drive innovation and impact
Shaun Singh
EEMA Regional Lead of
Mastercard Digital Labs
The Global Rebalancing of AI Investment
12:55 - 13:10
Discussion points:
• A global view of FDI and venture capital flows across the AI stack in the Global North and South.
• The socio-economic implications of rebalancing investment, infrastructure, and talent toward emerging markets across the Global South.
Ramez Shehadi
Senior Managing Director &
Global Head of Public Sector Strategy of
Accenture
Leveraging AI to Position Lebanon as a Frontier Nation
01:10 - 01:25
Discussion points:
• How AI can unlock Lebanon’s potential and establish it as a regional hub for innovation and technology leadership
Hoda Sleilaty Younan
COO & CMO at
Microsoft Middle East and Africa
LUNCH BREAK | 01:25 - 02:25
Cross-Border Capital: FDIs and Institutional Investors are Tapping into MENA’s Next Wave of Talent Innovation and Growth
02:25 - 02:40
Moderator
Stefano Fallaha
CEO & Founder of
Podeo
Panelists:
Hugo Qermane
Executive Committee and Managing Partner of
Five Capital
George Maktabi
Group CEO of
Webedia
Established Entrepreneurs in Lebanon and MENA on the Edge of What’s Next
02:40 - 03:25
Discussion points:
• Exploring the journeys of visionary Lebanese entrepreneurs who have scaled from Lebanon to the world through their spirit of innovation.
• Sharing how they’re harnessing AI to lead the next wave of transformation, and reshape their industries
• Offering insights we can all learn from on building globally impactful businesses
Moderator
Charbel Sarkis
Director of
Google Saudi Arabia
Panelists:
Elie Habib
Co-founder & CEO of
Anghami
Ibrahim Chawa
Director of Product of
Toters
Tarek E. Fadel
Founder & CEO
FADEL
Hassan Sawaf
Founder of
aiXplain
Venture Capital Reset: Unlocking Capital, Building Trust: The New VC Equation for Lebanon and the MENA region
03:25 - 04:05
Discussion points:
• This session brings together investors and ecosystem leaders to discuss how venture capital and acceleration models are evolving in Lebanon and the wider MENA region.
• Speakers will explore promising opportunities in deep tech and AI, examine how strategic investment in innovation can help leapfrog economic growth, and assess the post-crisis investment appetite shaping the region’s new funding landscape.
Moderator
Charbel Sarkis
Director of
Google Saudi Arabia
Panelists:
Maroun Chammas
CEO of
Berytech
Laura-Joy Boulos
Partner at
Globivest
Jad El Boustani
Partner at
MEVP
AI-first Lebanese startups on the global stage
04:05 - 04:50
Discussion points:
• Meet the Lebanese innovators leading with an AI-first mindset to scale globally, transforming challenges into innovation and showcasing Lebanon’s AI talent on the world stage.
Moderator
Lynn Ezzeddine
Investment Analyst at
Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)
Panelists:
Ziad Jreijiri
Co-founder & CEO of
Oreyeon
Roy Baladi
Founder of
Kanz & Jobs for Humanity
Elias Boustani
Co-founder of
Metod
Rany Sader
Co-Founder of
LaitronAI
Anas Khattar
Co-Founder of
Digico Solutions
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