The IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2024 recently concluded, gathering over 1,000 of the kingdom’s leading IT professionals to discuss “The Future of IT: Rethinking Digitalisation for an AI Everywhere World.”
Hamza Naqshbandi, IDC’s Country Leader for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, emphasized the central role of AI in Saudi Arabia’s vision for a modernized economy. “AI is pivotal for Saudi Arabia as it spearheads into becoming a global frontrunner in the digital age, fostering sustainable development, security, and future opportunities,” he remarked.
The event featured a keynote by Thomas Meyer, IDC EMEA’s General Manager and Group Vice President, who stressed the transformative impact of AI on business. He highlighted that adopting an AI-first approach is essential for gaining a competitive edge in the digital marketplace. “AI forms the foundation of all future business innovations, providing a strategic advantage in the digital economy,” Meyer noted.
A major attraction at the summit was the first-ever CIO50 Saudi Arabia Awards, hosted by Foundry, an IDG company. This ceremony recognized the top 50 CIOs and senior technology leaders in Saudi Arabia for their contributions to innovation and transformative change within their organizations and the broader Saudi landscape.
The summit’s comprehensive agenda featured tracks designed to guide organizations in leveraging new growth opportunities, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving customer experiences. These sessions tackled critical issues such as extracting value from data, employing GenAI and automation, adopting low-code platforms, and revamping security and business continuity for the AI-centric future.
Panel discussions were a highlight, with insights from esteemed regional and international experts. These panels delved into creating optimal IT operational frameworks, boosting citizen engagement through smart city initiatives, enhancing IT performance to drive business value, and establishing effective vendor selection and management strategies.
