Dubai Silicon Oasis
IO Labs: Agentic AI & Robots
May 19, 2026
Radisson Red, Dubai Silicon Oasis
IO Labs is a dedicated platform by Dubai Silicon Oasis for applied innovation events focused on emerging technologies, intelligent systems, real-world applications, and access to investment opportunities.
This edition, Agentic AI & Robots, brings together founders, enterprises, researchers, investors, policymakers, and technology leaders to explore how agentic AI systems and robotics are transforming industries, infrastructure, and everyday life.
Designed as a conference and exhibition experience, the event combines strategic discussions, live demonstrations, startup showcases, and ecosystem networking focused on practical applications of next-generation technologies.
Join us to discover the latest developments shaping Dubai’s technology ecosystem, connect with emerging innovators, and engage with the people building the next generation of intelligent systems.
Tarek Rahal
Public Sector Lead, Intel
Tarek Rahal leads Intel’s Public Sector engagements in the UAE, managing strategic relationships with key government and national institutions. In this role, he is a technology advisor, supporting organizations in exploring and adopting emerging technologies to advance their digital transformation agendas. Based in Dubai, he focuses on technologies including artificial intelligence, confidential computing, digital sovereignty frameworks, and digital readiness programs
Nicole Anderson
CEO, Redsand AI
Nicole Anderson is the Founder & CEO of Redsand AI, a company pioneering the next generation of agentic AI at the edge. Redsand deploys dedicated AI appliances inside enterprise environments — enabling real-time, sovereign AI agents without dependence on public cloud. With a career spanning HP, SAP, Sage, and Nokia across enterprise technology, venture investment, and founder-led businesses, Nicole now works from the UAE with enterprises, investors, and governments across the GCC to scale AI capability aligned to the region’s digital ambitions.
Jinane Mounsef
Chair of Electrical Engineering and Computing Sciences Department, RIT Dubai
Dr. Jinane Mounsef has been in the research field for over more than 15 years in machine learning and computer vision, during which she worked with multidisciplinary teams on a long track of research papers. Her methodological and theoretical research as well as a considerable portion of her applied and collaborative work address applications in computer vision, including visual SLAM. She has also played a key role in designing and implementing solutions for smart cities, particularly in healthcare and autonomous mobility. Leading the AI/Robotics Lab and the AI Research Group at RIT Dubai, and she serves as the Head of Research and Education for Women in AI (WAI), UAE section.
Berdia Qamarauli
CEO & Founder, Centigen
Berdia Qamarauli is Founder and CEO of Artisio and Centigen AI, building the enterprise AI operating system. Creator of ADAPT, a governance framework for AI authority and accountability. His work focuses on a principle: authority without governance is exposure.
Raffi Tchakerian
Co-Founder, Ibdå
Raffi Tchakerian is a designer, researcher, and educator with vast experience across multiple fields of design, including aerospace, aviation, robotics, product, humanitarian, and interaction design. He has developed the ability to transform thoughts into tangible solutions through cross-fertilizations, spin-ins, and spin-offs between these fields—aimed at improving the interactions between humans, the tools and technologies they use as extensions, and the environments they inhabit.
Alan Ng
Founder & CEO, QuikBot Technologies
Alan Ng Yao Ting is the CEO and Founder of QuikBot Technologies, bringing deep expertise in robotics, automation, and smart city technologies. With a background in engineering and product innovation, he has led QuikBot from concept to commercial deployment, building partnerships across logistics, real estate, and government sectors. His leadership focuses on scaling interoperable robotics platforms globally to solve urban logistics challenges and create sustainable delivery ecosystems.
Gavin Campbell
Advisor - AI Strategy, Grayce
Gavin has spent 25+ years in professional services and transformation roles across the UK, Ireland, Africa and the Middle East. He has led teams, built practices, and worked with organisations navigating significant change. What matters most to him now isn’t the size of the project, it’s the quality of the partnership and the impact he creates together.
Ilya Fathutdinov
Account Manager, Kerno
Experienced sales leader with expertise in Payments and digital transformation with Cloud and AI. Proven track record in driving large-scale infrastructure projects, fostering partnerships, and engaging with C-suite stakeholders to achieve business and technical alignment. PhD in Economics, Executive MBA from London Business School. Passionate about innovation, client success, and the future of finance.
Paul Smirnov
Deputy COO, Kerno
A C-level Tech Leader, experienced in digital transformations and operations management. Driving customer care, service operations and internal IT at KERNO — first UAE-based manufacturer of enterprise IT hardware. EMBA alumni at Politecnico di Milano
Shahzeb Naeem
Tech Project manager, GRANITE mena
Shahzeb Naeem is a Tech Strategist and AI Practitioner with deep expertise in applied AI, research, and strategic technology initiatives. His work spans projects in deepfake detection, sign language synthesis, speech intelligence, and data-driven transformation strategies. At Granite MENA, Shahzeb applies a strategic lens to leverage AI and digital platforms to optimize operations, enhance customer journeys, and build smarter business ecosystems. He is a strong advocate of responsible AI, ensuring that ethical considerations guide AI adoption and deployment. Shahzeb has published multiple papers in IEEE and leads Granite’s internal agentic AI practice, harnessing advanced tools to drive business growth. He is also a frequent contributor to podcasts and panel discussions, sharing insights at the intersection of technology and strategy.
08:30 Registration
09:00 Opening Ceremony
09:05 Opening Speech
09:15 Keynote: State of AI in 2026 – Tarek Rahal, Public Sector Lead, Intel
09:45 Keynote: Enterprise AI at the Asset: Rethinking Intelligence for the Physical World – Nicole Anderson, CEO, Redsand AI
10:15 Coffee Break & Networking
10:30 Panel Discussion: Beyond Automation: Building Autonomous, AI-Driven Enterprises
11:15 The Future of Robotics – Raffi Tchakerian, Co-Founder, IBDA
11:45 Robotics Case Study: Paul Smirnov & Ilya Fathutdinov, KERNO & MIcropolis Robotics
12:15 Robotics Case Study: Alan Ng, CEO & Founder, Quikbot Technologies
12:45 Lunch & Networking
13:40 End