Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), a global leader in cybersecurity and cloud computing, successfully hosted the Akamai World Tour Dubai Edition at the renowned TODA, Theatre of Digital Art. The one-day summit marked the flagship Middle East stop of the company’s global tour, convening leading technology innovators, government officials, and industry experts from across the region.
The event centered on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, spotlighting practical strategies to accelerate digital transformation in the Middle East. Through expert keynotes, case studies, and panel discussions, attendees explored themes ranging from real-time threat defense and data sovereignty to AI governance and cloud scalability.
Key Highlights from the Event
- H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of UAE Cybersecurity, opened the conference by underscoring cybersecurity’s role as a cornerstone of national resilience. He stressed the need for cross-sector collaboration to strengthen defenses and foster innovation.
- Dr. Tom Leighton, CEO of Akamai Technologies, emphasized the transformative potential of digital technologies to advance the UAE’s Vision 2031, while warning of challenges posed by AI-driven cyber threats. He reaffirmed Akamai’s commitment to helping regional organizations achieve secure, scalable growth.
- Industry leaders including Husam Osman (Du) and Dayle Carden (UAE-US Business Council) showcased how partnerships and infrastructure development are enabling AI innovation in the UAE.
- Executives from ARADA, Equiti Group, Network International, and Kerzner shared practical insights on scaling AI securely. A second panel brought together CPX, AIREV, and Core42, highlighting collaborative efforts to unlock AI’s next frontier through sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure.
- Rajeev Nair, Chief Delivery Officer at Core42, reiterated the importance of sovereign, secure, and scalable platforms for sustainable AI adoption.
Shaping the Digital Future
With Dubai rapidly establishing itself as a global hub for AI, cloud innovation, and cybersecurity, the Akamai World Tour underscored how the UAE’s security-first strategies are redefining the digital economy. The event fostered valuable dialogue between policymakers, enterprises, and technology leaders, highlighting the UAE’s pivotal role in shaping the next wave of digital transformation.
