research presentationRESEARCH PRESENTATION

The Future of Possibilities: Towards a New Era of Internet for the Year 2030 and Beyond

MAIN STAGE

What began as a military communication tool is now an integral part of our everyday lives. Each decade has brought about a profound shift in how the internet has shaped our daily lifestyles and the possibilities enabling businesses to be built around it.   “The internet” of 2022 already functions as the infrastructure of connected societies and is inseparable from most realms of life.   To unearth the possibilities that Internet can unleash further it is important to understand how the internet will evolve and the contours around which we can build and shape our businesses and consumption portfolio.   What will the internet look like in 2030? We ask the experts to weigh in.

• Consultant

keynote addressKEYNOTE ADDRESS

Accelerate Digital Transformation for Your Business and Make the Power of Internet Work With 3x Efficiency

MAIN STAGE

• Outlook for the Ecommerce and Digital industry over next 5 years: 2023-2028
• Trends that will define the future of e-commerce in this decade and ideas on increasing the consumption pie

inaugural sessionINAUGURAL SESSION

THE MENA CATALYST – Accelerating the Future of e-Commerce through a New Age of Digital Democracy

MAIN STAGE

• Evangelizing the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) – advances in AI, cloud computing, robotics, 3D printing, IoT, advanced wireless technologies, quantum computing
• The Future of Lifestyle Management – AI, Robots, Apps, Deep Machine Learning commanding how we work, sleep, learn, socialize, entertain
• Vision, Values, and Velocity – Middle East’s vision of 2071
• Internet for Human Development - means to achieve social and economic equality, inclusiveness, access to market choices
• Internet for the Environment – fighting waste, building energy efficiency, green initiatives, achieving climate change goals, environmental and sustainability goals of enterprises, promoting a recyclable and circular economy
• Internet Freedom promoting Human Capabilities in the Digital Age - empowering Entrepreneurs to build newer businesses, greater opportunities for work, increasing livelihoods offering choice of work across greater range of time and distances, greater choices and flexibility to Consumers
• Make Commerce Human – Choices, Accessibility, Ease, Opportunities
• Smart homes, Connected automobiles, Intelligent appliances - allowing people to have more time at hand to do things they really enjoy that give them greater fulfilment
• How the ‘Internet Leadership’ has helped Middle East score Social and Economic benefits

CEOs and FOUNDERS Conclave: MENA’s ‘The Internet Way’: The Opportunity, Challenges, and Success Stories

MAIN STAGE

Middle East in already a digital powerhouse. Technology is no longer a vertical of the MENA economy; it is a horizontal enabler of every MENA economic sector, from transportation to education. For the world’s largest tech multinationals, regional banks, and garage start-ups, the Middle East presents a large and rapidly growing opportunity. MENA leaders have walked the talk on Technology becoming a pillar of their knowledge economies by investing five times more in IT than the U.S government, in proportion to their GDP.   Case in point being UAE and Saudi - being laser-focused on AI, genomics, and blockchain, and technology is writ large on disrupting numerous industries, including food, transport, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and this is just the beginning.   How do we take this exponential growth opportunity ahead, what are the pitfalls to watch, and how we can accelerate ideas to transform our businesses into digital powerhouses and capture a bigger consumption pie of the digital economy.

internet in educationInternet in EDUCATION

How Can Internet Produce a More Talented and Versatile Multi-Skills Equipped Generation

TRACK 1

Whether it is gaining life skills, succeeding on the job, or excelling at your passion, we have to look beyond classroom teaching and the education gained in formal college years.  

• What key competencies are needed in the digital age?
• How can K-12 schools, Universities, e-learning providers, Multimedia course developers and organizational workplaces integrate better and more facilitative learning environments and use the power of internet to reach a more holistic education?

  Internet improving lives through Learning: #Learning beyond the classroom #Embedded rich format learning through newer methodologies and immersive multimedia - blended learning, gamification, bespoke content, mobile learning, virtual classrooms #Making learning affordable and accessible to those with limited means #Courses for continuous learning for senior executives #Embedding the DNA for continuous learning and seeking to gain knowledge on an on-going basis #The right way to monetize content

internet in healthcareInternet in HEALTHCARE

Healing Power of Internet – How Internet Can Enable the Future of Healthcare and Well-Being to Treat People, Build Healthier Lifestyles and Lead Better Lives

TRACK 1

‘Healthcare without boundaries’ and ‘Hospitals without walls’ are becoming the new buzzwords and signal the future of healthcare delivery. Internet makes that possible. The millennial customer expect delivery of services at the door step or virtually. Healthcare services are no exception, despite the need for physical presence in case of surgeries or diagnostic procedures. The customer demand for a decentralized value based healthcare system will be the driving force for this transition.   The customer will demand more accessibility, at hours and places of his convenience,  and the early transformers will own the market. Deloitte’s Global Life Sciences & Health Care Industry Group sums it best: The transition to hospitals without walls is happening. It is no longer a choice but a future reality. Virtual health is augmenting and extending care delivery outside traditional hospital buildings - clinicians and patients are demanding it; funders and regulators are supporting it. This transition is absolutely integral to creating a more sustainable and equitable public and private health system in the future.  

• How can we design for healthcare needs and delivery via connected devices, internet enabled virtual-first consultation and care, and AI-enabled application to the management of ER, HR and mental health?

  How can hospitals, doctors, health regulators, insurance companies, and well-being companies collaborate and pave the way forward to making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and provide better well-being?

TECH Fireside Chat of the Year!

TRACK 1

A one-to-one conversation with one of the most admired and inspirational tech founders …

internet in entertainmentInternet in ENTERTAINMENT

The Creator Economy and the Content Renaissance – How Viewers/Readers are Consuming Content and How Media Companies Can Get a Slice of the Action

TRACK 1

Everyone is talking about the creator economy these days and how tech accessibility is driving this entertainment renaissance. USA alone streamed nearly 15 millions years’ worth of content in 2021. In Western Europe, it’s expected that 45% of the population will be OTT users by 2024, while in APAC, OTT revenue is expected to grow by 90% to $54bn by 2026. As technology and the scope of accessibility to the internet continue to expand, so do platforms that stream content and the number of people who actively watch and engage on these channels.   Consumers and their demand for content are stronger than ever, but how can streaming companies, media companies, networks and  studios keep up to garner more subscribers, find funding, monetize content, and reach bigger audiences and readers?  

• How the explosion of content and consumption is shaping the future of screen-watching and viewership
• Key OTT trends to look out for
• What digital strategies are print media, newspapers and news broadcasters are adopting for multi-channel and omni-present content distribution
• The Future of Content: for example, growing popularity and massive demand for K-Pop and Korean programs
• The Rise of Niche Platforms and Owned Channels for Smaller Publishers - food vloggers, religious channels, yoga studios, gyms and sports clubs all launching their own services
• Subscription Fatigue - more varied and innovative models of generating revenue
• Battle for Market Share among Giants – How can the top 5 maintain their leadership while the remaining 95 others also make money and stay in the game
• Advancement in Smart TVs – audiences are moving away from 13-inch laptop screen to experience watching in high-fidelity on 72 inch television
• Telecom Operators Offering Bundled Packages - If you’re a telco, how do you react and stay relevant in the age of streaming media? Bundling in OTT subscriptions, like Netflix, HBO or Disney+, as well as music streaming services like Spotify has proven a shrewd move
• Rise of On-demand Content

How Metaverse will change the paradigm of content creation

Internet for Neo Brands (D2C) – (10 Brands from India) THE LEAP CLUB – Internet Powering the Growth of New-Age (D2C) Brands

TRACK 1

The noticeable success of D2C brands with rapid astronomical growth, in the recent past, is a testimony that the unique model is here to stay. However, the growing competition, need for extreme personalizations, rapidly changing customer preferences and matching the customers' expectations can be quite challenging for D2C brands.   Thus, going forward, brands will need consistent innovations in a bid to find and implement the right technology solutions to stay relevant and stand apart in in the ever-competitive market. Internet offers many solutions to this aspect:  

• As a D2C brand, the biggest leverage you have is closeness to consumer – how can you increase that proximity and personalization
• How to make your D2C brand stand out from the competition, especially with low barriers to entry

Investing in  community-led consumer-cum-creator generated content marketing (for instance, Canon has created a space for photography lovers with #CanonEdge, where community members share photographs. Samsung mobile phone too has launched #WithGalaxy, where content creators actively share their shots)

mobile marketingMOBILE MARKETING

How To Design The Right UX For The Digital Centric And Mobile-First Customer

TRACK 2

Are you being served – Why UX is now as or more important than marketing or customer service   Surfing experience (on mobile) is the new currency for brand love. And people are 100 times more impatient online, than they are in physical reality   Your customer is always on their phone. Many of us still make the mistake of prioritizing web first.   The truth is, if your offerings and user interface isn’t optimized for mobile, you’ll miss out on a ton of conversions.  

• Why you should design for mobile first
• Expert tweaks to apply that will lead to a massive increase in conversions
• Why you should keep things clear and simple without overdoing your design

  Optimize your mobile experience to convert more customers than ever before.   #mobilefirst #webdesign #conversionoptimization #performancedesign

Internet for Brick-n-Mortar Stores – Making Internet RELEVANT for STORES – Crafting the Internet Experience for Our Retail Stores

TRACK 2

Internet can not only enable our digital footprint via the e-store, website or app where sales happen and brand gets built, but can also be a very valuable asset to increasing the Customer Experience and Fulfilment inside our stores.   A new way to look at Internet for Brick-n-Mortar:  

• Customer experience curated with Digital integration and power of Internet in our Stores
• ‘Physical Meeting Points’ made effortless for the customer with integration of tech and digital:

- Wayfinding and In Store Navigation - Digital Self-Service Kiosks in Stores - Digital Signage and Engagement - Range Experience and Exploration - In Store Analytics and Computer Vision - Collection Experience (Click & Collect) - Returns & Waiting Experience - Future Store Experience

keynote addressKEYNOTE ADDRESS

Internet from the Eyes of a Futurist

TRACK 1

Keynote Address: How Internet Will Shape our Lives and Businesses in the next 50 Years   A future gazing session .. just as Star Wars showed technologies ahead of its time, we have a renowned Keynote Speaker and Futurist share his/her ideas on the internet as it will exist in the next 50 years. How will it shape our lives, experiences, and how will the revolutionary businesses of tomorrow – the Ubers, Amazons, Netflixs, Twitters, AirBnbs – look like.   Two predictions: In 15 years, people won't refer to "the internet." They'll just know technology through the connected devices that work behind the scenes to make their lives easier. Their laptop, phone, glasses, homes, cars -- they'll all be connected in ways that simply integrate with their lives.   Right now, you are actively "going to" engage with the internet, but in the future, the internet will simply exist as part of everyday interactions. Just like the air you breathe, it will be a critical component of your life, but you won't necessarily recognize its presence. Also, while traditional devices like tablets will still exist, they will only make up a fraction of your internet usage.

Internet in TRAVEL and HOSPITALITY

TRACK 1

Internet Heralding A New Dawn Of Experiences – How You Travel, The Places You Visit, and Where You Stay and Entertain

internet in mobilityInternet in MOBILITY

The Internet of Mobility : Building Mobility and Automobile Experiences of the Future

TRACK 1

Internet in your Car – what tangible benefits does that bring for the ordinary driver The Future of Automobile Retailing – the showroom experience being replicated over an e-visit to the website Micro-mobility, last mile connectivity and shared transport services On-demand public transport services How Intelligent Mobility can help in building Smarter Cities Towards tech-based, data-driven urban mobility – the case for reducing congestion in cities  

Internet in BANKING and FINANCIALSERVICES – A New Paradigm of Banking – The Emergence of a Digital World of Financial Services

TRACK 1

 “Banking is necessary, but banks are not”, Bill Gates said in 1994 when he was Chairman of Microsoft.   As if Online Banking and then Mobile Banking weren't enough change to last for a few decades, the industry’s drive to satisfy customer’s constant and insatiable need for information has recently driven us toward Real-Time Deposits, Mobile Payments and Branch-less Banking, Apps for every conceivable need of Financial Planning.   In recent years, the number of financial services around banking has exploded, which has led to a decentralisation of the finance industry, with a myriad of third parties.   How are banks, new-age fintech companies, insurance companies gearing up to offer the new-age banking experience in the digital world:  

• What digital innovations and best practices have worked in marked increased in customer satisfaction?
• How has been the ROI on investments in digital and technology?

What are the latest products and innovations that will mark a profound change in how banking is done and how customers buy financial products?

Internet for Neo Brands (D2C) – (10 Brands from GCC) THE LEAP CLUB – Internet Powering the Growth of New-Age (D2C) Brands

TRACK 1

The noticeable success of D2C brands with rapid astronomical growth, in the recent past, is a testimony that the unique model is here to stay. However, the growing competition, need for extreme personalizations, rapidly changing customer preferences and matching the customers' expectations can be quite challenging for D2C brands.   Thus, going forward, brands will need consistent innovations in a bid to find and implement the right technology solutions to stay relevant and stand apart in in the ever-competitive market. Internet offers many solutions to this aspect:  

• As a D2C brand, the biggest leverage you have is closeness to consumer – how can you increase that proximity and personalization
• How to make your D2C brand stand out from the competition, especially with low barriers to entry

Investing in  community-led consumer-cum-creator generated content marketing (for instance, Canon has created a space for photography lovers with #CanonEdge, where community members share photographs. Samsung mobile phone too has launched #WithGalaxy, where content creators actively share their shots)

CX Journey – Curating the Next Level of Customer Experiences

TRACK 2

#The Power of Curated Customer Experiences on Sales and Profits   A generational shift is taking place on what consumers seek and value. In order to stay relevant in the digital age, companies must react to behavior that has been digitally disrupted by offering personalized experiences and be able to create memorable moments for their customers. According to experts, customers demand three things from a great digital experience – speed, convenience, and consistency. In other words, modern customers demand quick and easy access to information, fast and reliable customer service, and a consistent and seamless experience on each touchpoint they use to interact with a brand.   Our experts will share more insights on:  

• A Curated Guide to Customer Experience Optimization
• How to build a  “CX native” company
• Focus on creating a connected experience

Problem-seeking and problem-solving by thinking from the user’s perspective

Supply Chain – Turning the Spotlight on Supply Chain Fulfilment and Last Mile Delivery as a ‘Revenue Enhancer’ and ‘Path to Greater Profitability’

TRACK 2

Supply Chain has become so central today to any business and occupies the spotlight in CEO discussions that it’s time to see it as a Revenue Enhancer and Prestige Builder for your business (and not just as a cost center and back-end operation).   We get the Supply Chain Heads to talk about how they are building robust operations based upon the supply chain outcomes and how it is central to the discussions in Boardroom meets and the C-suite – and how we can use the latest innovations and technologies to make it even more agile and resilient.

SOCIAL COMMERCE – Social Commerce – Make or Break

TRACK 2

Why every brand needs to enhance its digital presence through social commerce

FINTECH – The PULSE of Fintech and its Power to Revolutionize How We Pay, Work, Entertain and Shop

TRACK 2

• Embracing the Massive Fintech Wave
• Harnessing the Power of Fintech in the Middle East to Revolutionize multiple industries
• How innovative start-ups and companies are making a difference in promoting financial inclusion through technology
• How the Retailers and Brands that invest in the best and latest fintech solutions have a better profitability and customer satisfaction scores