Technology, business and academic leaders in Abu Dhabi have examined how organisations can move artificial intelligence beyond experimentation and into scaled deployments that deliver measurable business value, with data governance, workforce capabilities and executive support emerging as key priorities.
The discussions took place during the CIO Roundtable & Industry-Academia Forum: AI in Action – From Innovation to Impact, hosted by the Abu Dhabi School of Management in collaboration with Siemens Energy and supported by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The event brought together CIOs, digital transformation executives, technology specialists, academics and students to explore the organisational and technical requirements for deploying AI effectively.
CIOs examine barriers to scaling enterprise AI
The programme began with an invitation-only CIO and Digital Leaders Roundtable under the theme "Powering the AI-Driven Enterprise."
Senior technology and digital leaders from across the UAE discussed some of the challenges organisations face as they attempt to move AI projects from experimentation into production.
These included data governance, workforce capabilities, organisational change and the need for executive sponsorship.
The discussion reflects a growing enterprise focus on the operational foundations required for AI adoption rather than experimentation with individual tools or models.
Participants also considered how the Middle East could strengthen its position in the global AI economy through investment in data centre infrastructure, human capital and specialised AI models.
No specific investment commitments, projects or new AI deployments were announced during the roundtable.
Siemens Energy and Accenture present practical AI use cases
The afternoon Industry-Academia Forum expanded the discussion to a wider group of business leaders, technology professionals, academics and students.
Three AI use cases were presented by experts from Siemens Energy, Accenture and academia, focusing on how the technology can contribute to operational efficiency, decision-making and business growth.
Speakers included Tanios Tabet, Managing Director and Utilities and Sustainability Lead at Accenture Middle East and Africa; Dr Georg Rollmann, Global Head of AI at Siemens Energy; and Dr Marc Poulin, President of ADSM.
The source did not provide technical details or performance metrics for the individual use cases, so it remains unclear which AI architectures were deployed or what measurable gains the projects generated.
A fireside discussion featuring Siemens Energy CIO and Senior Vice President Dr Kian Mossanen and technology adviser and AI strategy executive Dr Mohamed F. Marzuki further examined the governance and organisational considerations surrounding enterprise AI.
The discussion was moderated by ADSM Professor of Business Analytics Ishtiaq Rasool Khan.
Governance becomes central to enterprise adoption
A recurring theme was that successful AI deployment requires more than access to models and computing infrastructure.
Organisations also need reliable data, appropriate governance structures, employees capable of working with AI systems and senior leadership willing to manage the organisational changes that accompany automation and data-driven decision-making.
These requirements become increasingly important as AI moves from isolated pilots into core operational processes.
Dr Tayeb Kamali, Chairman of the Board of Abu Dhabi School of Management, described AI as a strategic driver of digital transformation capable of supporting innovation, better decision-making and sustainable value creation.
He said closer connections between industry, academia and future talent could help translate AI opportunities into responsible and practical outcomes.
Industry-academia partnerships target AI skills gap
Workforce development featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the need to combine technical AI knowledge with leadership and organisational capabilities.
Dr Marc Poulin, President of ADSM, said one of the main conclusions from the event was that preparation for an AI-driven economy ultimately depends on people.
As organisations adopt new technologies, he said they will require leaders capable of managing change, encouraging collaboration and developing the skills needed for long-term success.
The industry-academia model is intended to help narrow the gap between academic knowledge and the practical capabilities businesses need when deploying AI.
Khalid Bin Hadi, Managing Director for the UAE, Oman and Bahrain at Siemens Energy, similarly highlighted the role of partnerships between companies and educational institutions in combining academic perspectives with practical industry experience.
Abu Dhabi looks beyond AI experimentation
The forum fits within Abu Dhabi's wider ambition to develop an economy capable of adopting AI and emerging technologies across businesses and institutions.
For enterprises, however, the challenge is increasingly shifting from gaining access to AI toward determining where it can create sustainable economic value.
That requires organisations to identify viable use cases, establish appropriate data foundations, redesign workflows and measure whether deployments improve productivity, decision-making or other business outcomes.
The emphasis on governance and organisational readiness also reflects the challenges companies face as AI becomes embedded more deeply into operational processes.
Source: MEA Tech Watch Press Reporter
