Riyadh • JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh • 7 October 2025
Join us in Riyadh
Make Data & AI the driver of your success
At SAS Innovate, we welcome leaders from across industries, along with SAS’ trusted industry partners, to explore the latest trends in analytics and AI. Through insightful sessions led by industry experts, you'll gain valuable knowledge on emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, and learn how to apply cutting-edge analytics to drive strategic growth, enhance decision-making, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Speakers
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Feras Saad Alazwari
VP of Governance, Risk, & ComplianceNational Center for Government Resources Systems ( NCGR)
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Adil Belhouari
Senior Vice President/ Head of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science & Analytics Riyad Bank
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Kareem Sherif
AI & DC Director Middle EastIntel Corporation
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Ahmed Hussein
Senior Regional Manager, Solution ArchitectsRed Hat
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Ahmad Almutawa
Director of Data Science & BITawuniya
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Mohamed Abdelghany
CTO & Co-FounderDataScience Middle East
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Majid Al Zein
Chief Operating OfficerMicrosoft Arabia
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Reggie Townsend
Vice President, Data EthicsSAS
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Deepak Ramanathan
Vice President, Global Technology PracticeSAS
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Shukri Dabaghi
Senior Vice PresidentSAS
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Mohammed Kiki
Country Manager, KSASAS
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Amir Sohrabi
Regional Vice President and Head of Digital Transformation for Emerging EMEA & AsiaSAS
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Paul Gavin
Head of Games Analytics SAS
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Samer Naguib
Channels and Growth Markets Director, Middle East, Türkiye, and AfricaSAS
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Alexander Tikhonov
Regional Director, Middle East, Turkey and AfricaSAS
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Celal Kavuklu
Director, Customer Advisory, Middle East, Turkiye and AfricaSAS
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Arwa Alghamdi
Program ManagerSAS
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Sultan Moraished
Group Head of Technology & Corporate ExcellenceRed Sea Global
Agenda
9:00am - 10:00am
Registration and Networking
10:00am - 10:20am
Welcome Note
10:20am - 10:40am
Keynote Speaker
Feras Saad Alazwari, VP Governance, Risk, & Compliance National Center, Government Resources Systems ( NCGR)
10:40am - 11:10am
Outcomes That Outperform
Amir Sohrabi, Regional Vice President, ASEAN & Korea, and Head of Digital Transformation, EME-AP
Paul Gavin, Head of Games Analytics, SAS
Discover how SAS is shaping the future of data and AI with breakthrough innovations that push the boundaries of what’s possible. From Agentic AI to Digital Twins and Quantum AI, this keynote sets the tone for how organizations can partner with SAS to reduce complexity, accelerate productivity, and deliver outcomes that matter.
11:10am - 11:45am
More Productive Data & AI: The SAS® Viya® Portfolio
Deepak Ramanathan, Vice President, Global Technology Practice, SAS
Arwa Alghamdi, Program Manager, SAS
SAS Explore how the SAS Viya platform — including SAS Models and SAS Solutions — helps teams do more with their data, faster. Learn how organizations around the world are driving productivity and scaling value with innovations like SAS Viya Workbench, SAS Data Maker, and SAS Viya Copilot in Model Studio.
11:45am - 12:15pm
Break & Networking
12:15pm - 12:40pm
Responsible AI Driven Decisions
Reggie Townsend, Vice President Data Ethics Practice, SAS
Dive into how organizations are building AI they can trust — from explainability and governance to real-world results. See how SAS is enabling responsible, data-driven decisions through Intelligent Decisioning and Agentic AI in action, across a range of industries.
12:40pm - 01:00pm
AI for Everyone, Everywhere
Samer Naguib, Senior Manager, Partner Sales - Alliances & Channels, SAS
Majid Al Zein, Chief Operating Officer at Microsoft Arabia
See how SAS Managed Cloud and our global partner ecosystem are making AI more accessible, scalable, and impactful. This session also features a pre-recorded conversation between SAS Co-Founder & CEO Dr. Jim Goodnight and Microsoft Chairman & CEO Satya Nadella, exploring the future of AI in business, technology, and society.
01:00pm - 2:00pm
Booth Showcase and Networking Lunch
2:00pm - 2:40pm
Panel: Emerging Technologies: Agentic AI, Generative AI, and Responsible Innovation
Adil Belhouari, Senior Vice President/Head of AI, Data Science & Analytics, Riyad Bank
Ahmed Hussein, Senior Regional Manager, Solution Architects, Red Hat
Kareem Sherif, AI & DC Director Middle East, Intel Corporation
Moderator: Celal Kavuklu, Director, Customer Advisory, Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, SAS
2:40pm - 3:20pm
Panel: Powering Customer Engagement and Decisioning with AI
Mohamed Abdelghany, CTO & Co-Founder, DataScience Middle East
Ahmad Almutawa, Director, Data Science & BI, Tawuniya
Sultan Moraished, Group Head of Technology & Corporate Excellence, Red Sea Global
Moderator: Mohammed Kiki, Country Manager, KSA, SAS
3:20 - 3:50pm
Award Ceremony
3:50 - 4:00pm
Closing Remarks
C-Club | Risk Leaders Circle
A high-impact, invitation-only session featuring global SAS risk leadership and senior banking executives. This exclusive executive gathering convenes influential decision-makers and C-level leaders driving the future of risk and finance across the region. Explore transformative strategies in regulatory compliance, credit lifecycle intelligence, and real-time decisioning.
What to expect
Join us in Riyadh to learn how to boost productivity with data and AI. This complimentary event will provide something for everyone – top executives, IT directors, data scientists, engineers, analysts and SAS partners across industries.
Cut through complexity to get more done
Discover how to simplify processes and enhance productivity using data and AI. Streamline workows, automate tasks and make data-driven decisions that propel strategic growth.
Move beyond the generative AI hype
Explore practical applications of GenAI that deliver real value. Understand AI’s capabilities and limitations and learn how to integrate it effectively into your business.
Realize the potential of trustworthy AI
Learn to build AI systems that are reliable, transparent and ethical. Ensure your models comply with AI legislation such as the EU AI Act. Create models that are fair, unbiased and secure to build confidence with your stakeholders and enhance your AI credibility.
Start developing your blueprint for AI innovation
Craft scalable, sustainable AI initiatives that align with your business objectives. Learn how SAS’ robust AI experience can help you develop a roadmap for AI implementation.
Conference Experience
Bring yourself and your team. We’ll bring the content, inspiration, networking and actionable takeaways.
Inspire
Be inspired by leading voices in data and AI through insights from companies, organizations, and partners. Discover how advanced technologies and trends are transforming businesses and boosting productivity.
Technology
Learn how to simplify complexity to achieve real results and boost productivity. Go beyond the GenAI hype and focus on AI’s true value, using it reliably and sustainably. Build a solid foundation for innovation with a targeted AI strategy that drives your organization’s future.
Networking
A unique opportunity to build valuable connections in a dynamic and informal setting. Engage with industry professionals, share insights, perspectives, and experiences to spark new ideas and opportunities.
Location
@OpenStreetMap
Register
SAS Innovate is a free event that offers you a unique opportunity to network and meet SAS executives, thought leaders, and top managers from every industry.
The event is by invitation only, and registration is subject to verification by the organizing committee.
During the event, video recordings and photographs will be taken. The images and videos may be used for communication and promotional purposes.
Registration for our event is now closed. Thank you for your interest!
Sponsors/Partners
Name
Title
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