Agenda

(subject to change)

Monday, October 5, 2026

9:00 – 9:30 AM
Registration

Registration, Coffee & Networking

Check in and connect with attendees before the conference officially begins.

9:30 – 9:40 AM
Welcome Address

Opening Remarks and Conference Vision

Dr. Hikmat Beaini
Dr. Hikmat Beaini President, AI in Washington Conference
9:40 – 10:15 AM
Opening Keynote

Building AI Partnerships Between the United States and the Middle East

Dr. Kamal Shehadi
Dr. Kamal Shehadi Minister of State for Technology and AI, Lebanon
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Dubai Talk

Dubai's Journey to Becoming a Global AI and Innovation Hub

Ghanim Al Falasi SVP - Director General Office, Dubai Silicon Oasis
10:30 – 10:50 AM

AI Without Borders: Building Trusted AI Partnerships Between the United States, Africa, and Asia

Ghanim Al Falasi
Dr. Nader Ghazal Chairman of the African-Asian Council for AI & Cybersecurity
10:50 – 11:05 AM
SPECIAL TALK

How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Entrepreneurship and Business Worldwide

Wissam Yafi
Wissam Yafi Founder & CEO, TIDWIT
11:05 – 11:20 AM
SPECIAL TALK

The Human Side of AI: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Zahra Bissat
Zahra Bissat Chief Client Officer at TOMORROW HIRE
11:20 – 11:30 AM
SPECIAL TALK

AI in Financial Planning

bassem Beaini
Bassem Beaini BFS-Blueprint for Financial Success
11:30 AM - 11:40 AM
SPECIAL TALK

Education Reimagined: Rethinking Learning and Human Potential in the Age of AI

>Dr. Hatem Sleem
Dr. Hatem Sleem AI Strategist, Educator, and Founder of AIFirst
11:40 – 11:50 AM
SPECIAL TALK

From Applied Research & Education to Real-World AI

Dr.Joe Tekli
Dr. Joe Tekli Business Partner and Speaker, Co-Founder, inSightX
11:50 – 12:05 PM
SPECIAL TALK

AI Governance & Leadership: Bridging MENA with the US

Dr. Sally Hammoud
Dr. Sally Hammoud AI Strategy & Governance Expert
12:05 – 12:40 PM
Break

Coffee Break & Networking

Refreshments and networking with speakers, partners, and conference attendees.

12:40 – 1:40 PM
Presentations

10-Minute AI Talks

Talk 1 - AI Investment Opportunities Between the United States and the Middle East.

Talk 2 - How AI Is Transforming Entrepreneurship and Startups.

Talk 3 - Building Trusted and Responsible AI Partnerships.

Talk 4 - AI Talent, Education and Workforce Development.

Talk 5 - The Future of AI Collaboration Between Governments, Universities and Industryc.

1:40 – 4:00 PM
Networking

Exhibition Networking, Fireside Talks, Live Podcasts & Media Interviews

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

9:00 - 9:30 AM
Registration

Registration, Coffee & Networking

Start the second day with registration, coffee and networking with conference attendees, speakers and partners.

9:30 – 9:40 AM
Welcome Address
Dr. Hikmat Beaini
Dr. Hikmat Beaini President, AI in Washington Conference
9:40 - 10:15 AM
Keynote Speaker Presentation

Leading AI Transformation: Lessons from the UAE’s Digital Journey

Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi
Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi Executive Director - Head Enterprise Platforms Emirates NBD
10:15 – 10:30 AM
SPECIAL TALK

Building Trusted AI: Cybersecurity as the Foundation of U.S.–Arab AI Partnerships

Wael Salha
Wael Salha Cybersecurity Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services
10:30 – 10:45 AM
Presentation

The Future of AI Auditing: Why Every Organization Will Need AI Assurance

Baria Daye
Baria Daye Certified AI Auditor and International Development Practitioner, The World Bank
10:45 – 12:00 PM
Break

Coffee Break & Networking

Refreshments and networking with speakers, partners, and conference attendees.

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Presentations

10-Minute AI Talks

Talk 6 – AI for Healthcare, Life Sciences and Digital Medicine.

Talk 7 – Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: Protecting Data, Infrastructure and Trust.

Talk 8 – AI for Smart Cities, Transportation and Sustainable Infrastructure.

Talk 9 – The Next Generation of AI: Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Agentic Intelligence.

Talk 10 – From Research to Commercialization: Turning AI Innovation into Global Business.

1:00 – 4:00 PM
Networking

Exhibition Networking

Fireside Talks, Live Podcasts & Media interviews

Directors

Mo Hafez Mo Hafez Director of Strategic Planning
Jihan Mansour Jihan Mansour Director of Communications and Partnership

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