18 May 2026 · Kuwait City

Data & AI First
Kuwait2026

Kuwait's most exclusive gathering of Data & AI decision-makers. By invitation only.

By Invitation OnlyLimited to 250 Senior Leaders
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Exclusive · Curated · Invite-Only
The Summit at a Glance

One Day. One Room. Kuwait's Elite Data & AI Leaders.

0+

Vetted Decision Makers

Hand-selected CDOs, CTOs, CIOs & government strategists. Every attendee personally vetted.

0+

Speakers

0

Panels

0

Awards

The Opportunity

Kuwait Vision 2035 is
reshaping the future.

+24%

$0B

ICT Market 2030

Projected market size

2026

$0B

AI Investment

National AI budget

Active

$0M

KOC Digital

Digital transformation

+18%

0K+

New Tech Jobs

By 2030 estimate

What We Cover

12 Strategic Focus Areas

Curated agenda topics shaped by Kuwait's top CDOs and CTOs

01
Focus Area 01

Vision 2035 Roadmap

Aligning Kuwait's national AI strategy with Vision 2035 milestones to build a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy less reliant on oil revenues.

What Makes This Different

Why Leaders
Choose to Attend

This isn't a conference. It's Kuwait's most exclusive gathering of Data & AI decision-makers — where deals close and strategies align.

0+Senior Leaders
0Panel Sessions
0Award Categories
01

Expert-Led Panels & Live Case Studies

4 Panels

4 high-impact panel discussions on Kuwait's AI strategy, Vision 2035 alignment, and enterprise transformation — plus live demonstrations of AI deployments with measurable outcomes from Kuwait and GCC enterprises.

02

100% Data & AI — Zero Filler

100%

Every session is purpose-built for data and AI practitioners. Interactive deep-dive workshops on the critical challenges facing Kuwaiti businesses and government — bring your toughest problems.

03

Curated Executive Networking

250+

Move beyond generic networking — connect with 250+ handpicked senior leaders, CDOs, CTOs, government strategists, investors, and AI architects across Kuwait and the GCC.

04

Awards & Startup Pitch Showcase

8 Awards

Celebrating 8 categories of AI excellence — transformation, innovation, governance, and emerging talent. Plus a live startup pitch session showcasing Kuwait's most promising AI ventures to investors and government buyers.

05

Investment & Regulatory Access

$9B+

Direct access to $9B+ in planned digital sector investment pipelines, partnership frameworks, and a structured AI governance regulatory sandbox with policymakers. Hands-on demos of Edge AI, IoT, generative AI platforms, and cloud-native solutions.

Kuwait · May 2026

The room where Kuwait’s most powerful decisions in Data & AI get made.

“If you're not in the room, you're not in the conversation.”

250Vetted Leaders
68Spots Left
1Exclusive Day
The Faculty

Who’s Speaking

The calibre of voices you'll hear — and network with — nowhere else

6+ Confirmed
Dr Khalid Al Begain

Dr Khalid Al Begain

President

KCST
Mai AlOwaish

Mai AlOwaish

CEO

CINET
Iyad Atieh

Iyad Atieh

CISO

Alghanim Industries
Abdullah AlNusef

Abdullah AlNusef

Chief Data Officer

Bank Boubyan
Abdulmohsen Alsulaimi

Abdulmohsen Alsulaimi

Group CTO

Towell International Holding
Amr Wageeh

Amr Wageeh

General Counsel & FDI Policy Advisor

KDIPA
Partners

Founding Partners

Join Kuwait's leading AI summit as a founding partner

Gold Partner

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Associate Partners

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Panel Partners

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Strategic Partners

ManageEngine
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Trusted by Leading Organizations

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8:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Full Day
Full Day Programme

Agenda

4 panels · 2 keynotes · 8 presentations · 1 awards ceremony

Closed-Door Sessions · Chatham House Rules

Full agenda shared with approved applicants only

08:00 – 09:00Registration, Networking & Refreshments
09:00 – 09:15Opening

Welcome Remarks & Opening Ceremony

Welcome Address by Events First Group (EFG)

09:15 – 09:30Keynote

Opening Keynote

Kuwait's Transformative Journey & Catalyzing Vision — Roadmap to becoming a regional AI leader

09:30 – 10:15Panel

Panel Discussion 1 – AI & Data Ecosystem

Shaping Kuwait's AI & Data Ecosystem — Vision 2035 to Execution, Strategic Integration, Public-Private Partnerships & GenAI Applications

10:15 – 10:30Sponsor Presentation 1
10:30 – 11:00VIP Exhibition Tour & Networking Break
11:00 – 11:40Panel

Panel Discussion 2 – Data Infrastructure

Building a Robust Data Ecosystem — National Data Sovereignty, Privacy Frameworks & Resilient Cloud Infrastructure

11:45 – 12:00Presentation

Edge AI & IoT for Real-Time Applications

12:00 – 12:15Presentation

AI for Sustainability, Energy & Oil and Gas

12:15 – 13:00Panel

Panel Discussion 3 – AI Governance & Trust

AI-Driven Transformation — Mitigating Threats, Bias Mitigation, Ethical Compliance & Digital Trust

13:00 – 13:30Prayer & Networking Break
13:30 – 13:45Sponsor Presentation 2
13:45 – 14:30Panel

Panel Discussion 4 – Digital Government

Advancing e-Government & Digital Identity — Biometrics, Citizen Services & National Security

14:30 – 14:45Presentation

AI Impact in Organisations

Operational risks, decision making, customer service

14:45 – 15:00Awards

Awards Ceremony & Close of Conference

Recognition Excellence

Data & AI First Awards 2026

Celebrating the pioneers shaping Kuwait's digital future

Honouring Pioneers & Innovators Shaping Kuwait’s AI Future

The Data & AI First Awards 2026 celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations driving AI transformation, data innovation, and governance leadership across Kuwait’s public and private sectors.

01AI Transformation Leader
02Data-Driven Innovation
03Public Sector AI & Data Impact
04AI Ethics & Governance Champion
05Data & AI Ecosystem Contributor
06AI & Data Visionary Award
07Emerging AI & Data Talent
08AI & Data Educator / Mentor

Award Nominations

Data & AI First Awards recognise organisations and leaders demonstrating exceptional contributions to Kuwait’s data and AI ecosystem.

Eligibility

Government and public sector organisations
Enterprises and private sector companies
Banking and financial institutions
Data and AI technology providers
Academic and research institutions
Nominate

Submit Your Nomination

The Guest ListC-Level Only

Who We're Looking For

Applications accepted from senior decision-makers only

Government Officials & Senior Advisors
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Chief Data Officer (CDO)
Chief AI Officer (CAIO)
Chief Digital Officer
Head of Data Science
Head of ML / AI
Data & AI Architect
Director of Data Engineering
Head of Digital Transformation
Business Unit & Innovation Leads
Academics & Researchers

Key Industries

Government & Public Sector
Technology
Banking & Financial Services
Energy
Transportation
Education
Healthcare
Manufacturing & Retail
250+ Senior Leaders8 Industries1 Transformative Day
Why Leaders Apply

6 Reasons to Fight for a Seat

What makes this gathering worth the application process

REASONS

Shape Kuwait's Digital Horizon

Directly contribute to the national discourse on Data and AI — influencing policy, investment, and strategic direction.

1stNational Impact
Events First Group

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A glimpse of what to expect at Data & AI First Kuwait

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Exhibition & Networking
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Panel Discussion
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15+Events Delivered
5,000+Attendees
6GCC Countries
FAQ

Common Questions

Data & AI First is a premier summit series by Events First Group designed for enterprise leaders driving AI transformation across the GCC. It brings together Chief Data Officers, AI architects, government strategists, and solution providers for a full day of practitioner-led sessions, workshops, and curated meetings.

Still have questions? Contact us

Approval Required · Limited Seats

Request Your Invitation

All applications are reviewed by our committee. Senior leaders only.

Applications Closing Soon
For Senior Leaders

Request Your Invitation

Submit your application to join Kuwait's most exclusive Data & AI gathering.

Vetting process: 48-hour approval
Only 68 spots remaining of 250

Applications reviewed within 48 hours. Senior leaders only.

Premium Partnerships
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Connect with Kuwait’s top decision-makers in AI and data.

Deck sent via email within 24 hours.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel, Kuwait City
The Venue

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel

Venue Details

Data & AI First Kuwait 2026 will be hosted at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel — Kuwait's premier beachfront resort offering world-class conference facilities with stunning waterfront views.

Venue Confirmed

Location

Messilah, Kuwait

Date

May 18, 2026

Time

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Format

Full-Day Summit

Get in Touch

Contact Us

For Speaking Enquiries

Sanjana Venugopal

Sanjana Venugopal

Producer

+971 50 500 3341sanjana@eventsfirstgroup.com

For Sponsorship Enquiries

Mohammed Sahil

Mohammed Sahil

Partnership Manager

sahil@eventsfirstgroup.com
Mayur Methi

Mayur Methi

Partnership Manager

mayur@eventsfirstgroup.com