Top 10 Visionary Data Leaders Driving Strategic Transformation and Enterprise Intelligence in 2025.pdf

This edition highlights trailblazing executives reshaping how organizations harness data. These leaders are pioneering innovations in analytics, AI, and cloud

1. eee

KoyArab,

A G A Z I N

September
issue 05,
2025 / NN

la AN / Lessons from Industry
Top 10 Visionary : Y, A oe
Data Leaders E
Driving Strategic à 0 es
Transformation IL ETT

and Enterprise
Intelligence in 2025

Future-Proofing Intelligence and
Shaping Al with Integrity

3. Your Legacy

Featured
Where Leaders Make

Headlines

Get Featured In
Upcoming Edition

Where Top Business
Minds share their Success Stories.

DEAD he QR
and fill the form.
a
és
‘on

5. Where Vision Meets Data: Leading

Transformation

in an cm of pd di

What sts hese
They understand a

Be perpanes
rumparency, und in

ie quals that re excl in a we
ity with pas

for eerie ha

—_
>
>
DN

LA
and
pu
Nu
FR

6. The Front Page Exclusive

08
Yusria
Ahmed

Future-Proofing Intelligence and
Shaping Al with Integrity

Industry Insights

Lessons from Industry
Implementation

Bridging Theory and Practice in
Ethical Al Development

Beyond Automation
Building Human-Centered
Intelligence for Sustainable
Innovation

8. CIO

9. = oe SE

ia amor = ne
ead ofa Wat Grau decos making, wi dec domain wie ers al
= Bee
lic
esa ety te
Yaad samen | | Cities | | Asmat ek nul ay
Vice President Data (QEC) Authority achieve rsilionce, afoguand sensitive secs, and maintain trast
‘Protection alga im digital ecosystems,
asa
bad Trevolution Group *
Eu

in pito modcing, machine ising, und sable
Beh prete archiicetures, advancing nclligen systems that deve

ation, penonaleein, ad ro

ii in matin rd men
qua A | ret errata

opensooy.com innovative data solutions, customer insights, and sustainable
and Data business grow modal

[Expert in data govemance, advanced analytics, and digital
Mathie Varah MBC Meda Solos

rg, Ieveraing doc experts 0 cal data driven

eee SUR Dore opin wih ran,
en
a pecan pean an copla, vi oven
eel | | Tasmgamconruer | | Sica pracy Human ropa ane
pepo e a | | tel secure dial tansformatons across global esis and
us pee
Sing u ed ee, An bei
ter Honig exa ina col pa nA slo ering
ventana aon oat ut tints oper icy nd
crue
= du rio pelis ua en An
Pulkit Ganjoo ‘solutions, and bsincs intelligence, trnsforming complex
Dent one

so at nt actinable ight at acclerate maton,
Chief Dats Olor growth, a sstsinable competitive advantage.

A dat cad with experts in analytics big data platform
Rishi Jain Moon ‘nd digital transformation, enabling organizations to ames
Head of Dats ‘moon com insights, Fos innovation, and acclerate business
performance
An innovative AI develope killed in machi learning natural
pm Sax Code

Taguig: procesing, and suiomaion, diving mieligent
soluto Ut chance decision making, opte warklons,
and rete impel dial tnmeomaione

mario com

10. “Top 10 Visionary Data Leaders Driving Strategic Transformation
and Enterprise Intelligence in 2025

The Front Page Exclusive

Yusria
Ahmed

Future-Proofing Intelligence and
Shaping AI with Integrity

Al developer | Smart Code

13. lew people combine technological know-how with
moral leadership ike Yusria Ahmed inthe quickly
developing feld of artificial nee, where
sccounlbility and creativity coesit She i a new kind of
profesional who ses techology a more than simply code;
‘tis oo fr good She isomployed at Smart Code aan Al
developer

‘The technology landacape hat change significantly doing
the last tm yan, wäh arial imelience acting ar the
comersionc of contemporary innovation. Experts who cam
solve technical challenges while maintaining moral
‘esponsibility have produced geme Higher eve Igor
ar comercio practical sais mos ger hema
rarement

Ahmet career transition from computer engineering to AL
‘evelopment paradigm for inemioalcarserchanges Her
Fath GAT mor han da points, wher she work lo create
open and equitable systems that Rene humankind. What
{hsinpishos heist she rentes bd chenecen echnical
and om technical actors, making Al solutions both effete
Andundenstundahe

‘The Foundation Years

[Ahmed graduated with a BSe (Honors) in Computer
TEngiccrng from Al Zamic Al Ashary Universi, ini
essential problem solving and systems knowlodge. Her
degree provided a siructured understanding, of logic,
programming, and system desen. Tho silence became.
thebuilding blocks her Al expertise.

a
“My turning point
came when | realized
Al could solve

humanity's greatest
challenges”

Like many graduates, she spent hr carl years exploring
carer option, searching or alignment between hor cnica
strong and her desire to crete impact This exploration
[se which right haveappeared ungern ram etd,
proc pivot I aught Pe o embrace curiosity, question
_ssurptions ar remain open to diferent possiltisbefore
Aicaveringher ne passion.

Her turning point came when she encountered the
transformative potential o AL Immering heel fin arch
and academic papers, she reaizd this technology could
address some of humanity's greatest challenges. from
predicting, diseases to optimizing supply chains. The
fntellectual challenge of teaching machines to lear,
combined with the pocebily of making tangle human
impact grite br “sha moment

is moment was more hana shine wasthe spark
that rframed her carer tetany, What once fl Te
para piece of knows frm computer engineering
sndenly came together with renewed clarity. Mathematics,
algorithms and logic wer no longer just academic exerci
they ame the very language though which dhe could help
siepeihefaure.

Building Expertise

Instead of pursuing graduate dies, Ahmed commitod to
rigorous seaming. She camod certifications in Data
“Analysis, Machine Leaning, Natural Language Processing,
Computer Vision, and Dats Seienee ach certification wat
more than a credential. I became a scpping sone that
xpandod hor technical horizons and sharpen ho problem
solvingabilitioc

lc dedication revealed hor Bei that in st moving Sole
Tike AI, atonal linear paths arc ot always necessary. What
‘mates ie determination, eines, and an insatiable appetite

“Mentorship aso shaped her journey. Senior data senti
taught er thatthe Best models ar not neosrly Ihe most
complex bl dhe ones tat work, scale, and sole busines
code effectively. They encouraged her to mese suecos
rot by complex but by usability and relevance. These
lessons anchored her values and gave her a pragmatic lens
through whichtocralusievery pret.

14. ®

“| believe the future of
Allies in augmented
intelligence- humans
and machines
working together

Beyond tcebnical mentorship, Ahmed alo absorba lesan
in ler and communication. Ske saw how seasoned
profesional navigated highratakce moctings, explained
meeps o executives, and camad tru across iscilinos
‘These creations reinforced herbie that xcclene in AL
equrecnotonlytechricalsrength Halo requires emana]
fmeligence andthe ability lo translate Meas eto shared

Breakthrough Project

A defining milestone was lading an Adrien resource
management projet For Ahmed, was not simply about
‘writing algorithme bat archi an end to end ya it
cid opratrchislyin dynamic, real-world conditions.

The project required forecasting, demand, optimizing
logica, und integrating mobile data sources She faced
challenger such as incompleto datatcts, evolving
requirements, and the nocd to align technical desi with
operational reali. Yet it was precisely these ble hat
Allowed her to grow from an individ cotrbetr ino à
(echnical leader

Her leadership extended beyond coding, She coordinated
with diverse teams, balanced competing priorities, and
‘ene solutions until hey aligned with operational goal.
“Thivexperionce gavcherfrhand appreciation for dhe human.
element in Al- the nogotitions, convereations, and
compromis hat ancfrm cortical mode no workable
systems

Delivering the project success ay reinforced her bli hat
AT valo i alized ot in isolated mode but in holis
solutions that bring measurable ficiency and impact. The
‘tem she crated demonstrated Row fhoughtfel design,
‘combined with thal men, ean oh sal werd problems
sce

Guiding Principles

Ax a woman in an advanced technological cl, Ahmed
_pruandcherworkinthrecenlurieg value

egrty She designs ansparnt, fi, and explain
tem, avoiding "Black box" model when posible,
Tris ensure accountability and bude rst amang wre
andiakcholdere

+ Empathy: Her pepoctve asa woman in technology
makes ber attuned a inclusivity. She considers diver
scr merda potential Bisse, and social implications in
very she develops:

+ Purposeñal Innovation: Ahmed enjoys technological
challenges bal always evaluates wheiher innovation
servers meanin il parpoce Her focas remain A tht
improves healthears, sustainability, and human
capabilites.

“Tene principle te not abstract ideale. They inform he day
to-day decisions, rom choing data to presenting rte
lo lakeholdere They alco provide clanty in dificult
moments. When faced with ambiguity or competing
ors, he etumsto cs valuerashercompacs

Problem Solving & Collaboration

_Ahmed's methodology begins with immersion inthe problem
domain. She actively consals expert doctors for ealtheare
applications, operations managers for logistics, or
radiolgiss for medial imaging, Thscallsborslive approach
error da the “ahy "her octo

She give particular attention to data preparation, living
‘quality data outweighe mode complexity. By cleaning and.
naling datasets thoy hen strong fowndaton for
cffeciveAl ems

erterative approach start with simple modlsachaslines,
adding complexity only when necesa, This philosophy
Keeps systems eficint, incrpotale, and grounded in
practical

16. ‘She also emphasizes collaboration wih on technical teams
By using simple analogies, interactive prototypes, and
share, she builds common umdentanding,Inscad of
focusing on accuracy metrics alone, she cmphasizes
outcomes Hk reduced wait times or improved efickeney,
‘suring buyin fomalltakcholrs

Tor Ahmed, collaboration eat just a project requirement
de part of her profesional identity, She thrives at the
interection of technology and poope, whew listening and
‘caplaning areas nical x dosgningand ea.

Overcoming Challenges

(One of Ahmed! mot callengng project war developing a
Desp Learing-based Brain Tumor MRI Classification
sytem. Datascarity and quality poscdrionschstaces She
overcame these by leveraging transfer leaning, applying
augmentation techniques, and working closcly with
adios tocnsre label ace

Equal significant were challengsin communication Many
decision makers Lacke technical knowledge, making cary
buy-in difficult, Ahmed adapted by shifling her
eummuniation yl, trartting technical jargon ito ar
vins nativen. ‘Those sil transformed her ito =
bridge builer, fostering trast and collaboration across
diverse teams.

She considers thew communication lessons as vital as any
‘echnical achievement For her, succes in AT is measured not
just by algorithmic precision but by whether people
understand adopt nd ras hey ems ring rated.

tical AI Development

[Ahmed treate othics as a foundation rather than an
front She begins with thorough data aus, nein
nbalances ar addressed though methods Re vrais
andeymihoi generation

Incraluation, she corporate aimes aware metis such as
demographie parity and equalized odds: When dispar
appear she rein ras made.

For tanapareney, the ses interpretability oo Hike SHAP
and LIME to make decision making processes visible

Her ethical approach demonstrates that faimess and
performance can co exit By holding her eccourable to
oh se amandes elon

Areasof Fascination
er passion for Al spans multiple domains:
+ Machine Learning: She sc it at» univer problem

soin langage, applicable neroe medicine, conomics,
Andenterinment

+ Natural Language Processing: li challenge Ns in
understanding human mance Her work on customer
service digital agente reflets her faeination with
_embling intuitive human-machine interactions.

Al Agents This represents, in er view the next Foner
“tonomons sy ha reason, psn, and exer tasks
‘hile pren han sabi

Fachof thee domains excites her not simply becas ofiheir
{echnical complet but because oftheir potential to shape
‘human expsioncerin profound ways

Continuous Learning,

Staying eurent is central to Ahmed’ access. She follows
major Al conferences, read papery om arXiv, and participates
in Kaggle competitions, These projects farce
experimentation allowing hertoapply thao te practice

‘She also invests advanced online num, fonnalizing her
undentanding of now architectures and methodolopicx

Community engagement, through forums, webinars and poor
networking, enriches her perspective with diverso

viewpoint.

This layered approach ensures she remains adaptable,
relevant alnformedin aril volving ick For Ahmed,
Continuous Isming i mo a chore but priv We an
onportmity to comdantly refine her craft and contibate
meaningfllytoaglehal conversation.

Prondest Achievement

Ahmed denis architctng the Al sytem for vita eso
‘management a her proudos achievement. The projet went
hayon solving technical pales Wades inffcincios
(hat impactedreal people say Hives

17. ‘Designing sopistiatd foreasting modes and optimization
engines, she crested system that managed tanker feet
allocation with greater reliability. What made the
achievement filing was st the complet of alge:
but human impact reduced wast, improved delivery. and
‘more sustainable roscar usage.

The pride came not only from delivring results but rom the
joumey sl. Every challenge late nigh debugging session,
and collaborative breakthrough built hor reulienee and
Jeadersip Inretraspc she views the projctas he moment
er career earsformod {rom balding models 10 bling
‘tems, and from cortnbuting a an egin to leading a
strategist

Advice to Aspiring Professionals

Ahmed shares candid advice fr hase entering the dustry of
Al

+ Master the foundations: Strong stills in mathematics,
statistics, and programming form the bedrock of
experi

“Integrity, empathy,
and purposeful
innovation are the
values that guide my
work.”

+ Embrace fare: Every ba, filed model, or setback is
ata fe gronth

+ Find your vole: Women in particular should speak up
andar theirideasas diversity regis technology.

+ Build networks: Mentors, sponsors, and poss provide
dance advocacy. andsuppont.

er philosophy efames the Aljoumeyasonc of persisten,
curisity, aná collaboration. She encourages aspiing
professonalso sc themselves nt jus senders or analysts
‘buts problem solvers capable of shaping entire industri.

Future Vision

[At Smart Code, Ahmed envisions crating integrated Al
‘systems that ser asthe itllgent cor of cient operations
Sheadvocacsferaculture where tame ak non Can we
Dold hie?” hat “Should we uta?”

Globally, she imagines a futare shaped by “Auzmenied
Infllgence’-Al working alongside humans tool pressing
‘challenges Her ambitie iso bul systems that help tackle
‘sues has resource arc, disease, and climate change.

or her, the goal is lear: ensure Al remains equible,
transparent, and dedicated o serving humanity. Through her
journey. Almed demonstrates wha he futur of AL oo ike:
technically sophisticated, call rounded, and rlenesiy
cused on meaningful impact

18. velopment

Without intento
practise

Leadership in Ethical AL

20. ave placod ethical AT at he eontroftheirmtional trates,
The UAE made history by appointing the worl’ frst
Miniter of Sate for Artificial Inligence in 2017, signaling
a prete commitment to response innovation. Sa

tro Vision 2030 state, e emphasirod AL
stool for progres hut oc thal must governed by ethical
safeguards

“These nations are not mercy adopting plohal Fameworks:
(hey arcactivcly shaping convention By invexting in AL
research center, developing cihical guidelines, and
collaborating with intrrational organizations, Mille Fast
Teadenhip has created a model or other regions. Their
initiatives highlight how cthical considerations can be
mhededin governaree innovation and evencchwation

Human-Centered Design aa Pa Forward

A critical clement of ethical Ali he adoption of human
centre design. Tae ppeosch places pole thse rights,
needs, and well-eing-at the heart of technological
development Instead of asking what technology can do, it
tacks what it shoal do, Fr instance, Al systeme mest be
signed to prtec user privacy, t he explainable to non
‘echnical sem, and rede her ha reinfareinequaliy,

Inthe Middle Fas, several healthcare initiatives powered by
[AT demonsrate this approsch. From improving diagnostic
tools to expanding acest to underserved populations, the
region hss shown tht ethical AL ds not just about bare
geidelinex bat shout making tangible improvements in
peoplelives

Policy, Regulation, and Global Collaboration

For ethical AI to drive, robust police and regulation: are
essential. However, these mus ikea balance id ules
can sie impoation, while 10 much freedom risks me.
‘Governments in the Middle Eas are navigating this balance
by establishing AT this council, developing regusiory
sSndbexes, and promoting frameworke thal encourage
nation whilsafegnaring accountability

As challenges, however, ae not confined within national
borders. Data flows globally, algorithme are tmincd on
international dataset, and their impacts ripio arose
soci Tic why cre border collsoration vit Here
in, Middle Fast lederdip bas heen visible, with the
region hosting international conferences, forging

partnership with global ch companies, and participating
thedevelopmentofistemations!ATstandsrs

‘dings Skilled and Fthical Workforce

Beyond goverance and policy, a ile workforce that
understands bth tchat ad cthica dimensions of Ac
“essential Universities and institutos inthe Middle at aro
ready reponding by fering programe in AL chic and
felted discipline. Th not only prepares tire empinccre
and policymakers but alo stes thatthe workforce is
aligned withthe reader vison of responsible AL

Conclusion: Toward Responsible Future

Tye joumey from tory to practice in ethical Ai complex
but achievable. I demands a commitment to fimcss,
inclusivity, ramqureney, and account The Laden
shown bythe Middle Et provides a clear example of how
vision and investment can transform principles into
Aetionsbleeutoomce

As A contimesto ape the global itr, the challenge not
ut hot technological avancement bat about ensuring that
amant remata the coto of enovation Bring tory
nd practice in ethical AI ie, ultimately, not only 2
technological mission but a moral one. If the wort follows
the path being eared oat by forward looking regions such at
‘he Mid E, thon Al ean uly become a force or good

arco

18

21. e =

“endava

REIMAGINING THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
PEOPLE & TECHNOLOGY

‘Vie area leading next-generation technology service provider and es
accelerate darupben y Guen rad eva io ontrprins We 38
ou lens n ring neu ways o erat a customers an uses,
eat them io become more engaging, responsive and efficient.

Using Distributed Enterprise Alle at sale, we eotaberate wh our
‘lens, sas again wih her teas, amaherg Seaton and
delverig robust solutens. Our approach to Ian com ia an
may fo ser reeds euro erat) ano deep understanding at
technologies. Fem prof oforceg to rey to production, we use
ou engineering expertise o delve rterorse palos capable ch
Pardi milo o transaction pe day

22. Building
Human-Centered
Intelligence for

Sustainable

Innovation

¿al challenge: leveraging technology to deve growth
‘while ensuring that ther oltins ar chica
responsible and environmentally sustainable The conc
‘of mtsinable innovation bax emerged a a guiding
principle cmphaî
conomie vale ht al respect soil and environmental
ouais. Cental to this approach is human entered
inteligenoo— the practice of designing systems, product,
ná process tal proie human nec behavior nd
ale,

I: teday'empidlycvolcing word organizations face 2

ohne that na ly generate

Understanding Human-Contered Intelligence

Human contre intligene is more than jn a ured
in he technology and hass arc: à pileup
‘Atta com involves Cati sluts dal dect,
anticipe and respond to human noc Tie approach
‘moves away fom technology fr technology's aks and
Insta focuses on enhancing human experience
productivity and well-being. By ntgraling human insights
{ato decision making, orgarzaons can design yes that
are ina, paths. and ehe

"When human centred tien i applied thoughtfully
becomes catala for suainale innovation. By
mb human perspectives ito away lage of
‘evelopment fom ication o deployment companies
‘sur that their imanatio nat only save rel world
problems but slo minimize negative societal and
‘vironmental impact

The ce of choco ia SestsinahleTanevaiion

Modern technologies such a rfi iteligenc (AD,
machine learning. ad da analytics provide unprecedented
‘portunities to creat impacta poto However the
{echnoloios mus be guided by human values oackiove
{rus sustsmahle novation. For ineane, Al drive,

24. predictive analytes can optimize energy consumption in
manufacturing process, reducing waste and carbon
‘emissions. Similar; inte! supply chain management
an enhance een while ensuring cies nuncing
practices:

Yet technology alone cannot achieve sustrinabiiy.
bout à human centerod les, innovations isk Becoming,
th Fm real-world nocd, leading solutions thal
are technical advanced ba social or environmental
Fermi, Human contre imiligene bs thie ap,
coating technology serves humanity while promoting
Jong tem sustainability.

Designing for People and the Planet

key principe of saainab innovation isthe
‘consideration of bth human nd environmental pacts
Business that proie human central design inves in
understanding her wakchelders employer, comen
‘consume, and the envionment. The volves
‘conducting research to understand human behavior, cultura
contet, ad social ned, then designing products and
servicos that align wih these insights.

For example, in whan planning human centered
inteligene cm inf he creation of smart ies hat
Prioritize publi wo cing Features ik green space,
cin public transporte, and nc cin
infrasrucur address both human comfart and
‘covironmenal sustainability, Similarly, in consumer
products, dsieing fr durabiliy,rcyelabi and
‘minimal environmental fotpint cxcmplii the fusion of
‘human cenered design with sustainable innovation

Cultivating» Culture of Sustainable Innovation

“Orgariatonsseking1o embed stainable innovation
rust evt a culture that valves empathy, ic, and
Long term thinking. Leaders play crucial len fostering
this mindset by encouraging ros functional collaboration,
investing in continuo ling, and ting cle
sustainability gots, Employses cmpomer think
«reatiely and ethically are more icy to propose solutions
‘hat bance profitability with seit hei

Morsener ransparcncy and accountability se emo
Human centre intligece thrives in eavionments where
Feedback ic atvely sought, and stakcholde arc engaged
in the innovation process. By erating open channels for
“loge and involving end une in co creation,

‘xpmizations can ensure their innovations as oth human
‘contri and sustainable

Real-World Examples of Human-Centered Sustainable
Innovation

‘Several ganizations have succcetally evcragod human
(enter inkligence to drive suitable innovation
Companies in the renewable energy acer, for instance, me
ane data analytics and Alto optic encre pride,
‘edcing wast and ensuing equitable irihution of
resources, In healthcare, aten-cetercd technologies such
as telemedicine platforms enhance acces tocar while
‘edacing the environmental impact cine with vel

ven in til, bande ar reimagining ely chain and
product designe o minimis carbon fotis, promete fir
Tabor practices and enhance consumer experience. Those
«examples highlight the tangible encfie of integrating
Human centered intelligence nto innovation rates,
mostra tht matinal and human wel hing com
‘coexit in mutual rcinfreing cycle

“The Future of Innovation

Looking ahead, the integration of aman centre.
fntcligonce with etsinable novation wil dens the next
era of progres Organization that adopt this approach wil
‘ot only remain competitive but ako contribute partiels
Ac society andthe plena. Ry considering ethical
implications, emoronmentl impact, and human nes,
inox cn Eanalo challenge ino opportuni for
Tasting val creation

In conclusion, suaainale innovation eno longer
optional ia neces a world fing soca
environmental, and cconomic presas Human cetered
intelignce provides he framework to achieve this goal
cnaring that technological advancements ar azn with
uma value and sustainability principles Ry printing
people andthe plane alongride prof, organizations can
‘ra solia hat cedars, inspite, and improve He For
generations to come RE

25. SUBSCRIBE
Today

CHOOSE OUR SUBSCRIPTION

6 Issues
$130

3 Issues 1 Issue
$70 $25

6 Months | 3Months | 1Month

nd ll

CIO Arab

Stay in the known.

Subscribe to CIO Arab Magazine

26. FINANSEE

AN ARTIFCIALLY INTELLIGENT APPLIANCE FOR BANKING AND PAYMENTS

Regulatory

COMPLIANCE

To-The-Penny

RECONCILIATION

Out-of-Line

FRAUD DETECTION }

360°

ANALYTICS

Fora go to WWW.DATASEER:

27. Sensible Solutions}
Actionable Advice.

We're here to help you turn strategies into success.

As an insurance broker dedicated to helping

provide for your people, and achieve your goals, NFP

limits of what it means to do good in business

See what an advisory practice committed to improving outcomes through a
comprehensive view of your unique situation can do for you, your workforce,
and our shared success.

NFP.com

O NFP

28. vewwcioarabmedia.com