Panelists

AI Innovations for a Better Tomorrow

Zayed University Convention Center, Dubai, UAE

September 24th and 25th, 2025

Professor Andrew Marrington is the Dean of Academic Affairs & Acting Associate Provost at Zayed University. Dr Marrington received his PhD in Digital Forensics from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he studied at the Information Security Institute. Dr. Marrington’s primary field of research is digital forensics, particularly in automating aspects of the digital forensics process. He is also interested in other aspects of information security. From 2012 to 2015, Dr Marrington served as the College’s Graduate Program Director. In Fall 2015 he was appointed as the Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Prior to working at Zayed University, he worked as a Research Fellow and Project Leader at QUT, as a Software and Systems Engineer at Queensland Rail, and as a private sector IT consultant.

Dr. Omar Alfarisi an accomplished AI Senior Specialist, Advisor, Distinguished Professor, and Book Author with extensive expertise spanning artificial intelligence, computer vision, geosciences, and economic systems. With a career that bridges both academia and industry across four continents, he has published over 70 research papers and holds two patents. Dr. Alfarisi has received multiple Innovation Awards and has been recognized with two prestigious London Business School Awards, including Most Likely to Write the Best-Selling Book and Most Likely to Change the World. Currently, he serves as a Senior AI Technology Advisor at Dragon Oil, a member of ENOC – Emirates National Oil Company, and a Distinguished Professor at China University of Petroleum. His academic contributions include pioneering AI-driven research and conducting the first joint graduate class between Khalifa University and China University of Petroleum. Dr. Alfarisi has also served as an Advisor for Data Architecture at ADNOC Group, where he led machine learning research and AI-driven digital transformation initiatives. His work has had a profound impact on AI applications in reservoir characterization, geoscience, and economic modeling. Holding a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering from MIT and Khalifa University, an MBA from London Business School, and a Certificate in Contracts Law from Harvard University, he continues to shape the future of AI and digital transformation.

Piero Ricotti is an Italian Citizen resident in Dubai since 1995, with a formal education in Industrial Electronic. He speaks Italian, French, English, Piedmontese, with minor knowledge of Arabic. DOB 1960.

He commenced his career in the computer side of medical field (CT scanners, Radio Treatment planning) and then moved to the largest Italian telecommunications manufacturer at the time (Italtel) where from software development position he grew to project management role.

Piero moved to Dubai as project manager for ETISALAT account and in 2002 incorporated Tecnosistemi with the scope of providing system integration services while assuming the role of General Manager for over twenty years.

He also served in parallel as Managing Director for SIRTI FZ LLC, General Manager of SIRTI Dubai branch and Managing Director of Powersistemi Consulting DMCC.

Piero was president and founding member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce to the UAE, vice-president of the Italian Cultural association, vice-president and founding member of the Italian Business Council Dubai.

Currently is serving as innovation strategist of Atom Alloys (US company leader in explosion suppression technology), managing director of Durr Traffic System FZ LLC and Durr Solutions computer systems and software designing LLC (both companies part by the large SPIE group and specialized in ITS and SCADA systems), member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce to the UAE, charter member of TiE Dubai (the world’s largest organization fostering entrepreneurship).

Piero is also the owner and managing director of Tecnosistemi Solutions FZ LLC, a legal entity created for the provision of professional services to the telecom industry.

Professor Moustapha was Senior Manager of Technology, Collaboration and Technical Training Programs for P&WC from 1999 to 2009 and was named P&WC Senior Research Fellow in 2011. Joined ÉTS in 2010 as Professor and Director of Aerospace Programs (AEROÉTS). Dr. Moustapha is a Canadian industry and academic member of NATO’s Aviation Technology since 2000. He is an Adjunct Professor at McGill and Carleton University (Canada), as well as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (U.S.A.). Dr. Moustapha is the founder and co-founder of the Montreal Aerospace Institute (MAI, 2001), the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ, 2002), Aero Montreal Cluster (2005), the Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN, 2007), AEROETS (2010) and Aerospace 4.0 (2016). He is a keynote speaker at various international conferences and forums on aviation, technologies of aircraft engines, and the various technology and skills challenges of the fifth industrial revolution “Industry 5.0”. He is the author and co-author of over 100 publications and two books on gas turbines and the recipient of over 30 national and international awards, including the following: Québec most prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre National (2013), Montreal Inspiration and Research Award for top five aviation experts (2013), James C. Floyd Award (AIAC) (2012), CRIAQ Tribute and Montreal Inspiration-Innovation Awards (2012), CASI Senior McCurdy Award (2008), ADRIQ Prix Carrière industrielle (2007), ASME Board of Governors Award (2007), Ryerson University Honorary Doctorate (2005), Concordia University Teaching Excellence Award (2002), Canadian House of Commons Award for outstanding academic and professional achievements (2001), etc.

Dr. Ibtesam Alawadhi is an expert in digital forensics with nearly two decades of experience as a Digital Forensics Senior Examiner at the Dubai Police Forensics Department and Criminology. Since 2020, she has been actively involved in academia, serving as an adjunct faculty member at multiple universities, including Middlesex University Dubai, Emirates Aviation University, and the American University in the Emirates (AUE), where she has taught cybersecurity and digital investigation courses. In 2023, Dr. Alawadhi was appointed as the Head of the Postgraduate College at Dubai Police Academy, overseeing advanced academic and research programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Digital Forensics from the University of Central Lancashire, a master’s degree in information technology from Zayed University, and a bachelor’s degree in business information technology from Higher Colleges of Technology, along with a Higher Diploma in Computer Software Engineering. With expertise in training, investigation, and memory analysis, she has played a pivotal role in advancing forensic science and cybersecurity education in the UAE.

Ms. Tasneem Fathima is a Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS) with over 18 years of IT experience, including 5+ years specializing in Generative AI (GenAI), Machine Learning (ML), and High-Performance Computing (HPC). She has a strong track record of enabling cloud adoption and driving innovation in the education sector across EMEA, AMER, and APAC regions.

At AWS, Tasneem has led several pioneering initiatives. She architected EMEA’s first SageMaker HyperPod production deployment for MBZUAI, highlighted in AWS re:Invent 2024, and drove a $1.64M proof-of-concept for large-scale LLM training using 260 P5en instances. She has also designed advanced HPC clusters for multimodal LLMs, adaptive learning platforms using Amazon Bedrock Agents, and GenBI solutions integrating Amazon QuickSight with AmazonQ.

Her portfolio includes delivering transformative AI/ML solutions such as automated quiz generation, AI-powered attendance systems with Amazon Rekognition, personalized learning journeys using Amazon Personalize, and blockchain integration for academic records. She has also enabled cross-region compliant architectures, virtual labs with Workspaces and AppStream, and immersive metaverse-based learning experiences.

Beyond technical expertise, Tasneem has demonstrated strong strategic leadership. She has driven 31% year-over-year growth in the UAE’s education vertical, advised universities on HPC adoption, and established Centers of Excellence to accelerate institutional AI capabilities. She has also onboarded customers to AWS beta services ahead of launch and helped them publish models on AWS Marketplace, reinforcing his role as a trusted advisor.

Passionate about advancing education and research, Tasneem continues to deliver innovative cloud-based AI/ML solutions that bridge academic needs with real-world impact. Her work reflects a blend of deep technical knowledge, strategic vision, and commitment to enabling the next generation of digital transformation.