المنتدى الدولى للصحافة والإعلام

Amid the accelerating global transition toward a knowledge-based economy and the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in shaping the future of development, the State of Kuwait will host the 7th Gulf Virtual Conference on Tech Innovation, Tech Entrepreneurship, and Tech Artificial Intelligence under the theme “An Innovative Gulf and a Diversified Economy” on July 26–27, 2026. The conference aims to promote a culture of innovation, support technology entrepreneurship, and develop digital solutions that contribute to building more diversified and sustainable economies.

The conference is organized within a vision that seeks to strengthen collaboration among experts, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs while connecting Arab and international experiences in technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence. This approach reinforces Kuwait’s position as a regional digital platform and supports the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035, which aspires to establish the country as a global financial and investment hub.

The event is organized by Ecosystem Management and Economic Consultants, a non-profit organization, at a time of increasing international momentum surrounding innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and technology. Over the years, the conference has evolved into an annual platform that brings together distinguished experts and practitioners to discuss the future of the digital economy.

Dr. Hanadi Mubarak Al-Mubarak, President of the Conference, stated that the conference originated from the Gulf-Arab initiative she launched in 2020, which focused on enhancing global competitiveness through smart programs. She noted that the seventh edition represents a continuation of this vision aimed at fostering innovation and strengthening knowledge-based economic capabilities.

Dr. Al-Mubarak explained that this year’s conference will host nearly 100 experts, policymakers, academics, business leaders, and economic specialists representing 14 Arab and international countries. The program features 18 panel discussions across nine strategic themes, with activities running for 10 hours daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kuwait time.

The conference will feature a distinguished group of academic and professional figures from various countries, including Dr. Zuhair Al-Abad, President of the Kuwait Journalists Association, and Dr. Hany Khater of Canada, President of the Global Forum for Journalism and Media (GFJM), alongside experts representing universities, research centers, innovation institutions, and Arab and international consulting organizations.

The scientific program covers a broad range of strategic themes addressing the future of technology and economic development, including innovation and technology in emerging markets, innovation in public services, educational technology and financial technology (EdTech and FinTech), smart infrastructure, the journey of inventors and innovators, technology entrepreneurship for economic growth, empowering startup ecosystems, the role of artificial intelligence in economic diversification, and the impact of techno-innovation and technology entrepreneurship on the digital economy.

Within the Innovation and Technology in Emerging Markets session, presentations will be delivered by Dr. Laila Al-Harbi from Saudi Arabia, Director of the Scientific Society Administration at King Abdulaziz University, and Mr. Abdulaziz Sultan from Kuwait. The session will be moderated by Dr. Huda Al-Khuzim from the United Arab Emirates, Assistant Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at New York University.

The Innovation in Public Services session will explore practical experiences presented by Dr. Mohammed Al-Hamiri from the United Arab Emirates, Head of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Sharjah, and Dr. Salah Ali from Egypt, Professor of Precision Engineering at the National Institute for Standards and Calibration. The session will be moderated by Dr. Hassan Al-Bahrani from Kuwait, inventor of the Intelligent Contract Management System.

The Educational Technology and Financial Technology session will examine digital transformation in education and the financial sector, featuring Engineer Iman Al-Hamad from Qatar, a digital transformation expert, and Dr. Mohammed Farid from Egypt, Head of the Applied Research Development Unit at Mansoura University. The session will be chaired by Dr. Zuhair Al-Abad, President of the Kuwait Journalists Association.

The Smart Infrastructure session will discuss the future of intelligent systems and services, with contributions from Dr. Bouchaafa Abdelrahim from Algeria, an inventor at the Electricity and Gas Company, and Dr. Radwan Choueib from Lebanon, President of the National Authority for Science and Research. The session will be moderated by Dr. Younes Ben Amara from Algeria.

The Journey of Inventors and Innovators session will highlight inspiring innovation stories presented by Dr. Bouhamdoun Saber from Algeria, Professor of Law at Constantine University, and Dr. Walid Tawfik from Egypt, an inventor at the Laser Sciences Institute. The session will be moderated by Dr. Rania Sultan from Saudi Arabia, founder of an innovation company.

The Technology Entrepreneurship for Economic Growth session will focus on the role of innovative companies and technological ideas in supporting development. Speakers include Dr. Huda Al-Khuzim from the UAE and Dr. Hany Khater from Canada, President of the Global Forum for Journalism and Media (GFJM). The session will be moderated by Mr. Jamal Banoun from Saudi Arabia, journalist and economic writer.

The Empowering Startup Ecosystems session will discuss mechanisms for supporting entrepreneurs and technology ventures, featuring Mr. Hilal Al-Hilal from Kuwait, entrepreneurship consultant, and Ms. Fadwa Al-Bawardi from Saudi Arabia, Director of FSAB Consulting Office. The session will be moderated by Dr. Jehan Farhat from Egypt, President of the Egyptian Council for Innovation and Creativity.

The first day’s program will conclude with a discussion on The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Economic Diversification, featuring Dr. Salem Al-Khalaf from Saudi Arabia, Professor of Information Technology at Qassim University, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Wadiya from Egypt, President of Tamkeen Foundation for Training and Development. The session will be moderated by Dr. Zahra Al-Rawahiyah from the Sultanate of Oman, former CEO of the Artificial Intelligence Academy.

The conference will continue with a session on The Impact of Tech Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship on the Digital Economy, featuring Dr. Ali Al-Qahtani from Saudi Arabia, Dean of the College of Medicine at King Khalid University, and Dr. Younes Khatabia from Jordan, President of the Arab Trainers Union. The session will be moderated by Ms. Fadwa Al-Bawardi from Saudi Arabia.

On the second day, the conference will revisit the same strategic themes through new perspectives and case studies. The Innovation in Emerging Markets session will feature Dr. Abdullah Kamal from Kuwait, Regional Business Development Director, and Engineer Yousef Al-Shatti, Patent Examiner at the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, moderated by Dr. Hassan Al-Bahrani.

The Innovation in Public Services session will examine ways to modernize government services through innovative solutions, with presentations by Dr. Mona Al-Dosari from Saudi Arabia, Vice Dean of the College of Engineering at Sultan bin Abdulaziz University, and Dr. Iman Al-Tamimi from Qatar, Information Systems Consultant at the Civil Service Bureau. The session will be chaired by Dr. Moanes Shojaa from the UAE, CEO of MARZ Group.

The Educational Technology and Financial Technology session will highlight the latest developments in both sectors, featuring Dr. Hassan Youssef from Egypt, President of the Indonesian Research Center, and Dr. Ninat Kamel from Lebanon, Educational Technology Consultant. The session will be moderated by Dr. Amani Pasha, Professor of Media from Egypt.

The Smart Infrastructure session will emphasize the importance of digital infrastructure in supporting sustainable development, with contributions from Dr. Mohammed Abu Al-Saud from Egypt, Innovation and Digital Transformation Consultant, and Dr. Zaid Al-Fuqaha from Jordan, Professor at the University of Jordan. The session will be moderated by Dr. Hayat Omri from Tunisia, an international expert.

The Journey of Inventors session will showcase inspiring stories from innovators, featuring Dr. Sari Al-Laham from Palestine, Specialist in Periodontal and Bone Surgery, and Dr. Najla Al-Raddadi from Saudi Arabia, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Taibah University. The session will be moderated by Dr. Khadijah Al-Zaidi from Saudi Arabia, Empowerment Consultant.

The conference will also dedicate a session to Technology Entrepreneurship and Its Role in Supporting the Economy, featuring Dr. Mahmoud Rawajiya from Saudi Arabia, International Innovation Consultant, and Dr. Jaafar Hamza from Bahrain, Brand Strategy Specialist. The session will be chaired by Dr. Saleh Al-Ayini from Saudi Arabia, Professor at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.

The Empowering Startups session will discuss mechanisms for improving the business environment and supporting technology projects, with participation from Dr. Nizar Sami from Egypt, Skills Development Expert at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Dr. Mohammed Al-Tawil, Technology Consultant. The session will be moderated by Dr. Jehan Khalifa, Dean of the College of Applied Studies at Apex Global University.

The Artificial Intelligence session will explore opportunities for applying intelligent technologies to economic development, featuring Dr. Osama Al-Dargham from Jordan, Dean of the College of Communications and Information Technology, and Dr. Salem Al-Shuaili from Oman, expert in digital transformation and big data. The session will be moderated by Dr. Hala Ali, Professor of Public Relations from Egypt.

The scientific program will conclude with the session on The Impact of Tech Innovation on the Digital Economy, featuring Dr. Zakaria Fawzy from Egypt, researcher at the National Research Centre, and Dr. Manal Al-Asaas from Jordan, Consultant at the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG). The session will be moderated by Dr. Laila Al-Harbi from Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Hanadi Mubarak Al-Mubarak emphasized that the conference coincides with two important international occasions: World Youth Skills Day, reflecting the conference’s commitment to equipping young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills for the new economy, and the International Day of Friendship, promoting cooperation and stronger connections among Gulf societies and cultures.

The conference will also host the Fifth Kuwait International Competition for Economic Diversification, offering cash prizes totaling US$15,000 for speakers. In addition, a Social Media Competition for Zoom participants will award three valuable prizes to encourage engagement with the conference sessions and maximize the benefits of their outcomes.

Through its strategic themes and broad international participation, the conference underscores the importance of building cross-border knowledge partnerships while strengthening the role of innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence in achieving economic diversification and advancing sustainable development across the region.