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Role of AI in Logistics and Supply Chain Operations

If you ask Chief Information Officers today, what is the biggest bottleneck that they face in transforming business operations? Most of them will answer procurement issues. Critical industries like finance and insurance, supply chain and logistics, and healthcare reshaping their operations with the right tools and solutions that can help business leaders bridge the gaps in existing systems and processes.

But this task is easier said than done. Not every solution is the right solution, and this is where the challenge arises. Getting the tool that is well suited for the respective industries can be a process that goes on for months.

With tech agility being the need of the hour, artificial intelligence (AI) based tools are seen as a way to help break down the barriers that are stifling the procurement process. It is also changing the way business leaders are approaching the global digital transformation movement.

Through this blog, we will explore the impact of AI-based tools in streamlining the procurement cycle, and how it will help CIOs to not look at AI as a mere tool but as a strategic partner in the global digital transformation landscape.

The Pain Points in the Procurement Process

Whenever global IT leaders and IT decision-makers meet and speak at IT innovation summits or IT leadership summits, a major topic that is often discussed is the pain points in the procurement process which is usually not only slow but is costly and error-prone.

By implementing AI-based solutions, these tech leaders are not only addressing the existing gaps in the process but are dramatically cutting down procurement timelines. Some of the advantages of AI implementations are as follows.

Speed: Delays often cause a hurdle in innovation especially when the traditional procurement processes are bogged down with a string of approvals and slow implementations. With AI-backed solutions, Chief Information Officers can not only help businesses cut down the turnaround time of new projects but also help transform their operations to stay ahead of the competition.

Data Accuracy: Poor quality data often costs companies serious losses and costly mistakes. We have heard industry experts focus on data quality and accuracy at various platforms and IT leadership events. With AI, industry experts can notice an improvement in data accuracy and offer the right actionable insights that can help business leaders make better and more informed decisions.

Collaboration: A major issue that leaders found caused delays in the procurement process is the lack of collaboration and coordination among procurement teams. With AI-backed solutions, leaders can ensure a smooth workflow between suppliers, legal teams and procurement teams that will help them identify potential gaps and align themselves to solve the issue. It also helps the organization to have a better relationship with its suppliers, vendors and partners.

Legal Efficiency: In the business landscape, time is of the essence and that can be a key differentiator between an organisation being a leader or a follower. Often contract negotiations have posed a serious issue in the procurement process. To help businesses save time, AI can help automate mundane tasks and help smoothen the processes by making crucial tasks like contract review, compliance checks and more, faster and more efficient.

By focusing on solving these issues, AI is not just assisting leaders in creating an efficient operation but is rapidly becoming a critical driver for business growth that helps foster an ecosystem for long-term innovation.

The Strategic Shift towards AI

Procurement has always been seen as a tiring and draining process for business leaders with AI, this process is transitioning into one that is not only advantageous but aligns with long-term organisational goals.

By automating workflows, these solutions are helping CIOs and business leaders to make data-driven informed decisions that align with the broader business goals right from digital transformation, and cybersecurity and helping leaders to direct their focus on achieving long-term growth and remain agile rather than just focusing on cost-cutting measures.

To further deliberate about this, leading CIOs, Chief Digital Officers and innovators will be convening in Bangalore at the Big CIO Show and Awards. Book your ticket now at https://bit.ly/4hFAefz.

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Retail IT Innovations: Creating Personalised Customer Experience

The introduction of e-commerce platform has reshaped the shopping experience for modern day consumers. Earlier, shoppers used to prefer the conventional way but the convenience that recent advancements have provided the shoppers has with unique customer experiences.

Moving away from the conventional method towards a more evolving customer centric high-tech ecosystem, today we see e-commerce and retail organisations integrating emerging solutions in their operations. It is not only shaping consumer interactions but also enhancing its supply chain operations. With the landscape under constant disruption, retailers are embracing these new changes and solutions while staying ahead of the competition.

Through this blog, together we explore five latest trends and solutions that can help Chief Information Officers (CIOs) build a smarter, sustainable and faster retail landscape.

AI-Powered Fulfilment: Automation Is the Future: The implementation of AI-powered solutions has propelled operations in critical industries, one of which is retail. Leveraging its ability to automate processes and enhance operations, these solutions not only help consumers build confidence in the platform but help retailers reduce overhead costs and operational logjam.

With autonomous vehicles and AI-driven solutions, retailers are becoming environmentally conscious and making their operation more time efficient. This ensures that the retailers offer a smoother customer experience while making their operations more reliable and faster.

Omnichannel Commerce: Seamlessly Integrating Digital and Physical: The rise of omnichannel retails is transforming in how customers interact with leading brands. Today, consumers expect brands to provide them with seamless services be it either on their digital platforms or in their in-store experience.

In-Store Automation: Optimizing Operations and Experience: In recent Digital Transformation Summits and IT Leaders' Summits, automation has been a hot topic. Several CIOs and Chief Digital Officers have spoken at length about the growing importance of integrating automation tools to help businesses streamline their operations. The data provided by these tools helps businesses track customer trends that will help businesses make smarter and more data-driven decisions.

Today, the advancements in automated shelf management tools, customer services and inventory control are set to help customers in enjoying improved retail experience with limited human intervention.

Smart Checkout: Eliminating Friction: The rapid digital transformation of the retail sector has ensured one thing for sure, traditional checkout processes are redundant. The adoption of contactless checkout processes like smart kiosks and mobile–based payment systems are helping businesses become more efficient while reducing operational costs.

Immersive Shopping: The Future of Customer Engagement: E-commerce platforms today are moving beyond the static product displays. With the recent advancements in augmented reality and virtual reality tools, customer interactions with businesses are also evolving. Today, we can see businesses offer virtual trial rooms and an immersive furniture shopping experience that is not only increasing customer engagement but is also having an impact on their conversion rates.

The AI models utilize their ability to help convert data inputs into configuration standards that can help business leaders and management implement a standardised approach leveraging the expertise of their teams. This enhancement ensures that the business leaders are focused on delivering products that meet customer needs efficiently and at scale.

Conclusion

As the retail and e-commerce industry is adapting and evolving to the latest advancements and technological innovation, the task for the CIOs, CTOs, Chief Digital Officers, and key decision makers will get tough. With AI based solutions, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, retailers are becoming smarter and more efficient while the digital marketspace is becoming more dynamic and customer centric.

At the Big CIO Show and Awards in Bangalore, top C-level executives will deliberate the latest trends in emerging technologies and how they will reshape the retail industry. To know more visit, https://bit.ly/4hFAefz

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AI and CLM: The Powerful Duo Redefining Manufacturing

Consumer behaviour has evolved in the past few years. Today, customers do not seek a one-size-fits-all product but something that can be easily customised and offers them the ability to select features that can adapt to their needs. This poses a precarious challenge for the manufacturing sector to balance the customer's desire for flexibility while ensuring cost control and operational efficiency. 

For Chief Information Officers (CIOs), this is the perfect opportunity to assist business leaders and manufacturing giants in transforming their operations. The rapid integration of artificial intelligence solutions and configuration lifecycle management (CLM) will help streamline production and customisation cycles. 

Through this blog, we will explore the opportunities and challenges posed by configuration lifecycle management, the role of AI in configuration, and the future of manufacturing in the AI and CLM era. 

Meeting Customer Expectations: The Shift to Configurable Products 

Earlier the manufacturing sector used to focus on mass production but now it is all about what the consumers desire. This change is rapidly becoming the new norm that is reshaping how the manufacturing sector operates. 

For instance, automobile consumers today have tailored features that they desire in their cars or any organisation that is buying any industrial machinery is keen on ensuring that it has a system that evolves to the dynamic market demands. This signals the focus of the manufacturing sector to design and produce their products factoring in on the insights from the market. 

To help the manufacturers with their products, artificial intelligence and configuration lifecycle management together can assist them without the traditional complexities and high costs that used to plague the process. 

What is Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM)? 

To deliver configurable products, manufacturers require an efficient process throughout the lifecycle right from the design process to the production process to the after-sales services. CLM ensures a clear framework to help leaders and organisations to make them agile, and efficient and align teams with accurate product data. 

Manufacturers who have integrated the CLM framework are bound to notice significant cost savings of up to 50 per cent while enjoying improved product margins of up to 20 per cent. But not all CLM systems are the same, this is where CIOs are making a difference. 

By selecting the right tech stack to ensure enterprise-wide deployment and the free flow of datasets across teams, CIOs can help manufacturers and business leaders harness the complete potential of CLM frameworks. 

How AI Enhances Product Configuration 

With Artificial Intelligence tools, manufacturers are standardising the product configuration cycle by automating document processing, bills, customer feedback and more. 

The AI models utilize their ability to help convert data inputs into configuration standards that can help business leaders and management implement a standardised approach leveraging the expertise of their teams. This enhancement ensures that the business leaders are focused on delivering products that meet customer needs efficiently and at scale. 

The Future of Manufacturing: AI, CLM, and the CIO 

In the global economic landscape, the manufacturing sector needs to overhaul its operations to stay relevant. Through the integration of AI and CLM, the sector can not only remain agile but also scale faster and more efficiently. 

At the vanguard of this transformation are the Chief Information Officers (CIOs). By leveraging their expertise, CIOs can help the sector to transition from the old operating ways towards a smarter, more efficient and smarter way of operating in the digital landscape. Through AI and CLM, manufacturers today can cater to the evolving demands of customers and stay ahead of the curve. 

This paradigm shift is the necessary disruption of the status quo allowing manufacturers to be adaptable and customer oriented. To further deliberate about the future of manufacturing in the digital transformation era, leaders from across the country will be convening in Bangalore for the Big CIO Show and Awards. Save your seats today and book your ticket now. 

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From Reactive to Proactive: The AI Takeover of Supply Chain

 

Supply Chain, logistics, and procurement have long been the lifeline of global economic systems. However, in the modern industrial landscape, where each industry is constantly disrupted and technologically shifted, supply chain operations are still stuck in the past. The old model is not only slow and needs constant human oversight but also has blind spots. 

Chief Information Officers are under constant pressure to help the industry evolve. As artificial intelligence solutions are making inroads in the critical facets of the global economy, it is now becoming imperative to embed these solutions in supply chain operations. 

Challenges Facing Supply Chain Leaders Today 

Over 90 per cent of business leaders expect supply chain operations to become more complex in the coming years, so the industry is seeking a structural overhaul to streamline operations. 

Why AI is the Answer 

Through AI, the CIOs will be able to help fix these strategic vulnerabilities and transform the supply chain industry from a reactive to a more intelligent and proactive system. 

Here are just some of the gaps that CIOs can use AI to help bridge 

Real-Time Tracking: AI-powered platforms will help enterprises and organisations to maintain end-to-end supply chain transparency. Through its real-time data tracking, the leaders can track every shipment, automate and verify supplier transactions, and help data-driven decision-making while helping prevent potential disruptions. 

Improving efficiency and cost optimisation: By streamlining its operations, enterprises can avoid wasteful resource allocation by eliminating repetitive tasks like supplier management, invoice matching, and more. Machine learning can help business leaders optimise costs by analysing purchase patterns, and market fluctuations, and further leveraging supplier contracts to help maximise inventory. 

Mitigating Risks: Its pattern detection ability can help enterprises identify risks and help leaders adopt alternative sources in case of inventory imbalances. Whether responding to geopolitical instability, weather disruptions, or supplier failures, AI helps businesses stay ahead of potential challenges. 

The Shift Toward Predictive Procurement 

For long traditional procurement methods have relied on historical data sets and redundant forecasting models. With the market evolving rapidly, these models need to update themselves with real-time market changes. 

AI-driven solutions are not only eliminating guesswork but are implementing autonomous systems that alter sourcing strategies based on real-time supplier conditions. This not only helps reduce the procurement turnaround time but also helps drive negotiations and highlight any compliance issue that can pose a serious risk to the supply chain network. 

CIOs: Leading the Future of Supply Chain 

As the complexity of supply chains increases, it’s clear that businesses can no longer afford to rely on outdated models. CIOs have the unique opportunity—and responsibility—to lead their organizations through this transformation. By leveraging AI, they can ensure that their companies remain competitive in an increasingly fast-paced and unpredictable environment. The future of supply chain, logistics, and procurement is digital, and CIOs are the key to unlocking its full potential. 

As the supply chain industry continues to evolve, so does its complexity. CIOs today are uniquely positioned to drive this change ensuring that enterprises and organisations stay ahead of the competition. The prioritisation of AI-driven solutions gives CIOs the opportunity to craft a strategy to navigate dynamic market shifts. 

One thing is for certain, the future of the supply chain is digital, and CIOs are the bridge to help enterprises leverage it to their advantage. 

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Rethinking the Cloud in 2025: A Tech-Driven Balancing Act 

For a long time, cloud technologies were seen by enterprises as the next big thing. Its ability to help businesses to scale faster while cutting infrastructural costs and maintaining flexibility. 

Enterprises eagerly migrated, aiming to minimize CapEx and drive efficiency. Despite that, some critical challenges are forcing modern-day CIOs to ask if the public cloud architecture is providing the solutions that it offers. 

The answer? It depends. 

The Hybrid Cloud Era 

Many organizations are adopting hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, combining public and private clouds to optimize workloads. The public cloud remains ideal for bursty, on-demand tasks, but for predictable, data-heavy processes, the private cloud often delivers better cost efficiency and performance. The choice increasingly hinges on workload characteristics, cost structure, and performance needs. 

Hybrid models also address emerging concerns like latency, data sovereignty, and compliance. With stricter regulations dictating where data can be stored and processed, private and hybrid solutions are becoming critical components of IT strategies. 

The Cost Conundrum 

While public cloud promised cost savings, hidden fees—such as data egress charges and inter-region transfers—are driving up expenses. For organizations managing vast datasets or resource-intensive workloads, these costs can quickly become unmanageable. Many are re-evaluating their strategies, looking to minimize data movement and align cloud usage with specific business needs. 

Generative AI: The Budget Disruptor 

AI and machine learning are game-changers—but they’re also budget-busters. The computing power required to train large models is immense, and public cloud environments make scaling accessible yet costly. Emerging trends suggest a shift toward industry-specific AI models that are smaller, more resource-efficient, and well-suited for private or hybrid clouds. 

Even so, leveraging AI in a hybrid environment requires careful orchestration. Costs tied to data synchronization, storage, and integration can skyrocket if not meticulously managed. Organizations are now building infrastructure that balances AI innovation with cost predictability. 

A Strategy, not a Destination 

Cloud strategies are no longer about “public” versus “private” but about finding the right mix. Performance, compliance, and cost will dictate workload placement, with flexibility as the cornerstone of future-ready architectures. 

2025 is a year for CIOs to move beyond the cloud migration mindset and adopt a lifecycle approach to hosting decisions. Applications must be evaluated based on evolving business needs, with an eye on adaptability. 

As cloud technology evolves, organisations that adapt to the evolving business climate will leverage the first mover's advantage. While the future is focused on building smarter, agile and strategic systems, these technologies will future-proof businesses and support sustained economic growth. 

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From Doubt to Deployment: Three Steps to AI Success 

Explore ways for business leaders to convert AI scepticism into success. Get the tools and strategies needed to harness AI for growth and innovation! 

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an active role in being one of the core building blocks for a digitized industrial landscape. The companies that have implemented artificial intelligence-based tools in their operations are reaping the benefits. Right from streamlining their productions to providing key data for faster and smarter decision-making, AI is laying the groundwork for enterprise-wide adoption. 

Yet for SAP-based business leaders and customers, there are still gaping concerns that need to be addressed. While there is optimism regarding the potential of these solutions, concerns like data security, data quality, and governance challenges are acting as major hurdles. 

One of the major reasons behind this is the growing lack of AI expertise in these enterprises. As per survey reports, fewer than 10 per cent considered themselves as AI experts. The number further goes down when we talk about generative AI. With each advancement in the field of AI, the skill gap further widens leaving organisations unwilling to adopt these tools. 

This can be further seen as most of these organisations have no official roadmap for AI adoption. While some organisations are still in the experimental stage, there is still a long way for the SAP landscape to go especially in an age where AI is evolving into a key driver of digital transformation. 

The Crucial Solutions 

There is always a silver lining to a dark cloud, while SAP businesses and customers are dealing with the roadblocks related to enterprise adoption, these challenges are rapidly becoming opportunities. 

Upskilling Your Workforce 

There might be a significant gap in AI expertise but there is also an opportunity for them to grow. Business leaders and enterprises are implementing specific training modules, workshops and certificate courses to help their workforce navigate the AI-driven landscape. 

The Push for Pilot Projects 

AI-based tools might not be a viable solution for all enterprises and businesses. Through the means of pilot projects, business leaders can easily identify the scope and evaluate its feasibility without overcommitting their resources. The insights from these projects further help business leaders with a blueprint for enterprise implementation. 

Data Governance and Security 

One of the significant concerns that has riddled AI adoption is data quality and security. Through the establishment of clear and robust frameworks, business leaders can ensure an ecosystem that enables ethical and secure adoption. As SAP-based business leaders and enterprises are equipping themselves with AI-based tools with security features can help further build trust and create the perfect balance between innovation and compliance. 

Conclusion 

SAP-based businesses' approach to AI adoption is gradually moving away from cautious optimism to proactive implementation. By overcoming crucial concerns such as AI expertise, data security, and data governance, the industry is unlocking new opportunities that will not only enhance efficiency but also help it stay ahead of its competition. 

Through the implementation of robust frameworks and focused experimental projects, business leaders are turning these hurdles into stepping stones for enterprise-wide AI adoption. The digital transformation movement is reshaping the industrial landscape, leaders who have an appetite to adapt and innovate will lead the charge towards sustained growth and shaping the future. 

Learn more about the future of enterprise AI adoption at the Big CIO Show & Awards, Bengaluru. 

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Commercial Bank of Dubai Co-Hosts Future Sustainability Forum for a Greener Tomorrow 

• Global sustainability titans and innovators converge to share their visions and strategies driving the world towards a greener future at the Future Sustainability Forum on 4th-5th October at the Ritz Carlton, Dubai. 

• The forum co-hosted by the Commercial Bank of Dubai will invite eminent leaders from the public and private sectors to engage in ground-breaking discussions on sustainability’s impact on the global financial market.  

Dubai, Wednesday, 27 September 2023: – As the UAE prepares to host the COP28 Summit later this year, the Future Sustainability Forum is poised to serve as the ideal platform for global sustainability leaders and innovators. They will assess emerging technologies while exploring avenues for cooperation to enhance capital flow toward sustainable financing. 

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a globally renowned financial hub, is thrilled to announce Commercial Bank of Dubai as the co-host for the inaugural Future Sustainability Forum. This collaboration will further invigorate the regional innovation ecosystem, propelling industrial sectors towards adopting ESG measures and steering the region towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.  The collaboration further establishes a longstanding partnership between CBD and DIFC to promote innovation in the region. 

As one of the longest established financial institutions in the United Arab Emirates, Commercial Bank of Dubai plays a pivotal role in reshaping the regional financial sector, especially with the increasing demand for sustainable financial instruments. Commercial Bank of Dubai's dedication to the UAE's pursuit of a climate-neutral economy and the adoption of ESG policies is underscored by its sustainable financing framework. The successful issuance of its inaugural green bonds further reflects the growing confidence of investors in the financial sector's transition toward a greener future. 

DIFC is actively advancing its commitment to global climate initiatives by forging strategic partnerships with influential institutions like the Global Ethical Finance Initiative. This initiative is transforming the global financial industry by focusing on key areas such as achieving Net Zero emissions, promoting Islamic finance, and financing sustainable development projects. 

Commenting on the partnership with DIFC, Dr. Bernd van Linder, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank of Dubai said: “Commercial Bank of Dubai is proud to co-host the Future Sustainability Forum, a platform that aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and responsible finance.  

As a longstanding financial institution in the UAE, we recognize the importance of driving the transition towards a greener future. Our sustainable financing framework and the successful issuance of our inaugural green bond demonstrate our dedication to supporting the UAE's journey towards a climate-neutral economy.  

Through collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre, we aim to highlight the future of sustainable finance, furthering our collective mission to promote sustainable and responsible financial practices in the region.” 

With the pivotal COP28 Summit on the horizon, the forum will underscore the shared commitment and efforts aimed at showcasing UAE’s unwavering dedication to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

By nurturing a sustainable and innovative ecosystem, the Future Sustainability Forum encourages collective action against climate change and mobilizes towards this critical cause.

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Interview with Maged Marie, CEO of Magnom Properties 

1. What's your perspective on the global development of sustainable finance and innovation? What specific trends do you see that will shape the future of its adoption? 

The construction industry is one of the most significant contributors of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions. And the continued growth in population will place greater demand for new building stock. 

There is an urgent need therefore to develop energy-efficient and net zero buildings at scale to enable the world to respond better to the climate emergency. The built environment and sustainability are inextricably linked, and green investing is now crucial to boost the transition to lower carbon buildings and to mitigate against climate and financial risks. 

The finance sector is well-positioned to boost this transition to a sustainable built environment. By aligning capital with net zero outcomes the finance sector can enable clean economic growth and job creation. The real estate and finance sector must collaborate to develop roadmaps and frameworks that facilitate greater financial flows towards decarbonised, resilient and equitable built environments. 

2. How is Forbes International Tower shaping the future of Dubai with sustainable finance and innovation? What makes it unique from other companies? 

The Forbes International Tower is a zero-carbon commercial tower that is setting new milestones in green design construction. With its superior performance and focus on reducing lifecycle carbon emissions, the futuristic tower will deliver unique solutions to urban challenges in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, where it will be built. Developed under the sustainable design vision of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG Architecture), Magnom Properties, a subsidiary of Rawabi Holding, has partnered with Forbes to develop this commercial tower in the region. 

Aiming for a Platinum LEED certification, the tower is focused on environmental soundness and future readiness. The self-sustaining, environmentally intelligent structure also integrates state-of-the-art systems and technologies and will drive innovations to enhance energy efficiency and achieve its vision of zero-carbon emissions, thereby revolutionising the sustainability landscape in the cities that it is being planned for. 

The Forbes International Tower will be the first-of-its-kind project in the world to run entirely on the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) system. This innovative approach addresses two global environmental challenges of waste pollution and the creation of clean energy. Such innovative smart climate solutions and environmentally responsible practices that ensure long-term resilience will be pivotal in redefining and shaping the built environment in the Middle East and North Africa. 

Through its partnerships with global players across a multitude of sectors, the Forbes International Tower will elevate green building design and zero-emission standards and push the boundaries of modern construction as it brings transformational technologies into mainstream practice. Such innovations in the real estate sector will expedite the growth of smart cities and buildings in the region, in line with the ambitious goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

3. What is the value proposition for Forbes International Towers in the region? How would businesses benefit from it in the long run? 

To fast-track energy transition, it becomes increasingly imperative to mainstream smart and sustainable climate solutions in the built environment. The innovations and technologies developed for the iconic Forbes International Tower holds great promise for decarbonising real estate assets and will be pivotal in enhancing the livability, efficiency, and productivity of cities in the MENA region. 

For companies in the buildings and construction sector in the MENA, this is an opportunity to address urban sustainability challenges and build new, better growth paths. Due diligence in improving ESG reporting and getting technical assessments to meet net zero carbon targets will enable stakeholders discover and bridge gaps to bring long-lasting value to their real estate portfolios. In addition, developing green buildings at scale can strengthen local economies, create jobs, and optimise energy and water efficiency in the region. 

Massive investments are necessary to transform the booming construction sector and the shift to low-carbon pathways could accelerate global access to sustainable finance for delivery of more green infrastructure projects in the region. 

4. What, in your opinion, are the primary challenges obstructing sustainable finance and innovation in the MENA region, and how can they be overcome? 

The significant economic benefits and operational efficiencies that zero carbon or green buildings bring are often not communicated well by developers and building owners while investors tend to narrow their focus largely on the upfront costs and longer timelines involved in construction. 

Energy or resource efficiency is only one aspect of a green building. Driving greater awareness on the added value and lower risk of green and sustainable buildings will help secure more financing for such projects. To leverage innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds, loans, or funds, developers must demonstrate and communicate the financial performance and social impact of their projects. 

Reorienting capital flows and investment towards the built environment will be critical to achieve global sustainability goals and reduce the risks to the built assets and their impact on the planet. 

5. Tell us more about the session you’ll be hosting at the show. What can attendees expect to gain from it? 

Magnom Properties will be participating in two sessions at the Future Sustainability Forum. Sarah El Batouty – UNFCCC Global Ambassador and Advisor to Magnom Properties, will present the finer details of the sustainable vision of the Forbes International Tower and take the audience through the innovative technologies and actionable strategies that are being implemented to realise this vision. 

Gordon Gill, Founding Partner, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, who is part of the core design team that is developing the Forbes International Tower, will share his unique perspectives on how an evidence-based strategy is critical to tackling building sector emissions and addressing carbon footprint reductions in the sector. In the session titled, ‘Setting Credible Net-Zero Targets’, Gordon Gill will also discuss how policy regulations and cooperation between design architects and other stakeholders in the industry are needed to overcome barriers to decarbonising the built environment and making net zero carbon buildings a feasible goal. 

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Agentic AI: Transforming Business Operations and Driving Smarter Decision 

In the modern business landscape, business leaders are driven by a new mantra: work smarter, not harder. Major businesses still rely on outdated processes that are time-consuming and cost-intensive. The result? Missed opportunities, rising costs, and depleting team bandwidth.  

Understand your current cloud challenges: 

Many a time, organisations get into the execution mode and take isolated decisions when adopting the cloud. They either consider only the cost or select a platform that is suited for a specific workload without mapping the interdependencies and integrations required across other workloads and data sources to ensure a connected, digital ecosystem. 

But what if there was a way to change all that? 

Unlike traditional AI tools, Agentic AI is critical in transforming business operations and enabling autonomous decision-making. With the global business landscape embracing the evolving realities of the digital landscape, Agentic AI solutions are becoming a force that learns, adapts, and streamlines workflows. Allowing business leaders to focus on critical sections of their business. 

The Power of Decision-Making at Scale 

Business leaders frequently suffer from constant focus on the details of day-to-day operations. Automation through AI alone isn't enough. Implementing Agentic AI not only executes basic tasks and processes but further optimises operations and makes real-time decisions while learning from the available data. 

Whether it is about automating customer service, managing cybersecurity, or powering your business intelligence systems, Agentic AI ensures an efficient and agile business operation without the need for constant human oversight. Making decisions at scale further allows leaders to stay a step ahead of the competition. 

Real Results for Real Businesses 

One thing that forward-thinking business leaders understood quite early is that through the implementation of Agentic AI, there will be a faster turnaround rate ensuring efficiency in critical projects. 

A sector that has seen a major impact is software development. Through the automation of large portions of codes, agentic AI is not only slashing development timelines but is reducing workload for developers further allowing them to drive their attention on complex tasks. These tools not only draft the code but also further review it for any potential errors. 

While many business leaders still use traditional chatbots to handle basic business queries, implementing intelligent agents is reshaping how businesses engage with their customers. These new chatbots not only understand complex requests but can provide personalised solutions with accuracy while reducing the need for constant human intervention. 

Another critical threat to business continuity is cybersecurity. With cyberspace evolving each day, businesses demand a stronger and more proactive defense system that cannot only detect but mitigate threats in real-time. With Agentic AI tools, security systems are not just alert but are able to proactively track and respond to threats that result in a safer and more secure enterprise. 

The Future of Business Intelligence 

Modern-day business leaders today are dependent on data analytics and data mining to help them make informed data-driven decisions. The advent of Agentic AI in business intelligence is an area that has been gaining traction in the competitive landscape. 

Traditional business intelligence tools enable leaders to interpret basic insights and act on that data. The inroads Agentic AI has made in the business intelligence domain are providing real-time, accurate business insights that are tailored to your requirements. It is becoming the future of business intelligence – smarter, faster, and more intuitive. 

Agentic AI is more than just an emerging advancement; it is becoming a foundation for the global digital transformation movement. This foundation is pivotal for businesses to stay ahead of their competition and maintain agile operations in today's dynamic business landscape. 

Through the automation of crucial parts of business operations, leaders are now empowered to truly focus on avenues that matter right from growth to strategy to innovation. These tools not only streamline workflows but also provide a cover for enhanced security, positioning them at the heart of the global digital transformation journey. 

Discover how Agentic AI is driving this transformation at the 14th Edition of the Big CIO Show and Awards in Bengaluru on 20 March 2025, where the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of businesses take center stage. 

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Digital Transformation and Innovation: The Modern CIO’s Mandate 

Today’s CIOs are at the forefront of digital transformation, reshaping how companies operate, engage, and grow. Moving beyond traditional IT management, CIOs now drive strategic changes across all levels of the organization, balancing innovative technology with business outcomes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and resilience. 

A cornerstone of this transformation is the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data analytics. These tools are now foundational, enabling precise operations and faster, more informed decisions. Predictive analytics, for instance, offers insights that optimize supply chains and customer interactions, while machine learning enhances personalization, tailoring products and services to individual needs. Such advancements are not just incremental—they’re reshaping industries. 

Cloud computing has also fueled this shift, offering scalable and economically viable digital tools. Cloud-based infrastructure enables organizations to adapt quickly to changing demands, supporting innovation and real-time responsiveness without the constraints of traditional systems. 

Yet, technology alone doesn’t drive transformation. CIOs are aligning these tools with business goals, creating a data-driven, outcome-focused approach. This alignment ensures digital initiatives generate tangible value, moving beyond efficiency to core strategic impact. 

Furthermore, digital transformation fosters cross-functional collaboration, breaking down silos and building a culture of agility across the organization. As technology influences every facet of operations, departments work more cohesively, enhancing adaptability in a dynamic environment. 

By shaping this future, CIOs ensure that technology becomes a core driver of business success, equipping organizations to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. 

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Team Computers join Trescon’s Big CIO Show as Co-Powered Sponsors 

The 10th edition of the globally acclaimed show virtually connected over 300 online participants from across India, who discussed the emerging tech solutions and strategies for 2021 and beyond. Ranganath Sadasiva, CTO, Hybrid IT, Hewlett Packard Enterprise shared his insights on fueling edge-to-cloud digital transformation and more. 

Friday, 06 August 2021: As the leaders in the edge-to-cloud platform, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Team Computers Co-Powered the 10th edition of Big CIO Show – India. The show virtually connected over 300 online participants from across India, including major stakeholders of India’s technology ecosystem such as government think-tanks, technology experts and leading technology solution providers. 

The virtual conference explored sectors of critical infrastructure where Digital Transformation can help the nation boost economic competitiveness with the region’s top technology leaders and the global technology fraternity. 

One of the top technology leaders and speakers who joined the conversation was Ranganath Sadasiva, Chief Technology Officer, Hybrid IT, HPE. Ranganath is responsible for bringing in thought leadership across HPE’s Hybrid IT business and delivering the best-in-class technology experience for customers. 

He enlightened the audience through the technical session on ‘Fuelling edge to cloud Digital Transformation with Hewlett Packard Enterprise.’ 

His presentation covered the macro trends leading to accelerated Digital Transformation and Digital Technologies enabling this transition. He spoke of ‘HPE Ezmeral software’ portfolio that enables the transformation of apps, data, and operations by running modern containerized applications and optimally manage their environments from infrastructure up the stack, allowing customers to harness data and turn it into insights with enterprise-grade security, and cost and compliance visibility. 

While talking about HPE’s latest announcements, he spoke of how it was time to reimagine Data Management and how this will be a game-changer. HPE’s vision of Unified DataOps empowers customers to break down the silos and complexity to accelerate data-driven transformation. He introduced the audience to their new offerings called Data Storage Cloud Central – a Unified cloud data services and HPE Alletra - cloud-native data infrastructure. 

While talking about HPE’s new Compute Launch for the data-driven transformation, he stated, "HPE essentially focuses on workloads that prevail in the marketplace today and ensure that it delivers the right kind of compute resources for everything as a service." He concluded the keynote by stating that, “It is your data, it is your agility, it is your innovation, and we will ensure that you unleash it till the last". 

He was also a part of an interesting panel discussion about 'How SDX enables Digital Transformation' where the panellists discussed how the rising customer expectations and global trends are forcing shifts in computing, storage, security, and networking; and how the evolution of the cloud is fuelling the software-defined revolution and driving the need for next-gen, “cloud-first” infrastructures and much more. He remarked “Software-Defined help’s deliver SCALE + AGILE = SCAGILE enterprises” 

The panellists who joined him in the discussion include Golok Kumar Simli - CTO, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India; Kaushik Majumder - Head of IT, Digital Services & Information Protection Officer, South Asia BASF India Ltd; Milind Khamkar - Group CIO, SUPER-MAX; and Prasanna Lohar - Chief Innovation Officer, DCB Bank. 

The show was hosted on the virtual events platform Vmeets to help participants network and conduct business in an interactive and immersive virtual environment. Participants could also engage with speakers in Q&A sessions and network with solution providers in virtual exhibition booths, private consultation rooms and private networking rooms. 

Here are a couple of upcoming events you might be interested in attending: Event calendar. About Big CIO Show – India 

Big CIO Show is a thought-leadership-driven, business-focused initiative that provides a platform for CIOs who are looking to explore new-age technologies and implementing them in their organisations. 

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Make Your Cloud Strategy Right With the Unified Cloud Experience Orientation 

Cloud has seen enormous growth in recent years. In these unprecedented times, the adoption has accelerated further to ensure business continuity and provide businesses the required agility and resiliency. Organisations have different IT environments, from on-premises to private cloud to multiple public cloud(s) procured over time to support the business requirements, thus creating a hybrid multi-cloud environment. It is a challenge for CIOs or CTOs to ensure that various infrastructure pieces (on-premises workloads, cloud, network, security, etc) work together cohesively to achieve the true promise of cloud; be it agility, scalability, security, automation or cost-efficient operations. Complexity increases, when businesses add new cloud environments into their digital ecosystem, and hence the need for the hour is a streamlined and well-orchestrated model that can deliver unified cloud experience to the businesses. 

Understand your current cloud challenges: 

Many a time, organisations get into the execution mode and take isolated decisions when adopting the cloud. They either consider only the cost or select a platform that is suited for a specific workload without mapping the interdependencies and integrations required across other workloads and data sources to ensure a connected, digital ecosystem. 

Some of the common challenges faced by enterprises when adopting cloud: 

Planning: Without proper planning, migration to cloud can lead to added complexity and risk, along with cost escalations. The highest risk comes with a stalled project or one with a false start which can set a cloud program back by months, even years. Organisations often don’t have a clear understanding and in-house capabilities to identify the cloud needs for the business such as rate of migration, cost and flexibility, implementation expertise, security and privacy effectiveness, to name a few. 

Security: Shared responsibility is often a challenge, as organisations don’t understand their role in the responsibility matrix, making their cloud environments exposed to external threats and vulnerabilities. 

Regulatory and compliance: As cloud ecosystem involves multiple stakeholders - service providers, service brokers, customers, and cloud security provider – management of data across multiple parties may lead to compliance challenges. 

Expertise and awareness: Advanced cloud models and the hybrid multi cloud ecosystem requires highly trained and skilled professionals to operate it effectively. Problem further surges when organisations fail to leverage automated functions, scripts and tool sets that are available due to lack of expertise. 

Strategise your cloud: 

The first step to successful cloud adoption is to have clarity between a company’s cloud strategy and their cloud implementation plan. The most suited cloud platform compatible with different type of workloads, should be identified to augment the cloud estate to be coherent and synchronous with the enterprises’ business needs. A unified approach is required to maintain a balance between an organisations’ traditional and cloud infrastructure, to create a cohesive IT ecosystem. To enable a unified cloud experience for the businesses, the organisations need to operationalise their hybrid multi-cloud environments, factoring migration, security, compliance, data, and network needs. 

This can be achieved by: 

Effective migration plan: Organisations need to identify the right cloud venue, rate of migration, integration with existing environment(s), consolidation approach, among others. 

Improving procurement strategy: This involves analysing the size of the organization, industry type, the relevant applications and categorisation of the data being processed. Organisations also need to identify the right storage options, integration of data repositories, which will be in conjunction with data sovereignty and classifications. 

Streamline security: A seamless and connected security policy must be drafted that secures the organisation from cloud-to-edge, enabling Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). Organisations need to have a clear understanding of the shared responsibility model that outlines the accountability of the cloud provider and cloud user, to ensure full coverage of cloud security and hassle-free governance. 

Adherence to compliance: In the hybrid multi-cloud environment, organisations need to understand and comply to the Data Privacy policies, localisation laws, industry regulations, and any other relevant government directives. 

Optimising the network: One of the most important pillars for a successful cloud strategy is the network. Architecting and optimising the network is crucial to support the hybrid multi-cloud environments. Along with provisioning the secure direct connectivity to cloud, managing the latency and response times also play a critical role. 

Effective orchestration tool: Organisations need an orchestration tool which then integrates these different IT environments, networks, security solutions into a single dashboard and creates a single-pane-of-glass view which enables continuous autonomous governance for all IT resources. 

With businesses integrating themselves onto cloud solutions, it is proving to be effective for organisations to have a unified cloud model to meet all their business needs. The recent evolutions in the field of cloud computing validate the need for a more sophisticated hybrid multi-cloud model to drive efficiencies for businesses to propel under any circumstances, making cloud adoption a prudent investment and not a cost. 

Author: 

Rajesh Awasthi, Global Head of Cloud and MHS - Tata Communications 

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New Age Technologies Paving the Way for Advanced Healthcare

The global health care services have witnessed rapid digitalization leading to better patient outcomes and improvement in the health of the patients. Technology has played a huge role here, with respect to how health care was provided and received across the globe. New age tech, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this revolution. There are a number of use cases where implementation of AI in healthcare has resulted in multiple benefits in areas such as drug discovery, personalized care for chronic diseases, predictive healthcare diagnosis, etc. and at the same time playing a vital role in helping the world fight the pandemic. 

With the help of AI and machine learning, healthcare industry around the globe was able to derive better insights and provide personalized care facility to the patients. There is no doubt that decision makers in the sector understood the importance of technology adoption and areadopting these emerging technologies to reach new heights. 

Healthcare industry has been doing trail run, pilot- projects with several technology development, but adoption of AI and High-performance computing (HPC), has benefitted the most. The democratization of AI and HPC, organizations of any size and from any industry can now gain a competitive edge by harnessing the power of data. The modular building block approach of deployment-ready solutions bring speed and flexibility by allowing for quick set-up and easy scaling. While technology over the years is playing a central role to advancements in medical research, pharmaceutical development and treatments, HPC is helping to boost the sector. With the adoption of IoT sensors, and 5G technology in coming times, we're going to witness data explosion and analysis that will transform the healthcare industry, resulting in more personalized and better medications for all. Thanks to the convergence of HPC, data analytics and AI, the healthcare sector is set to become data-driven and better equipped to respond in more personalized ways. 

Big data leading to big advancements in healthcare 

Life sciences and medical research institutions, particularly genomics and precision medicine are applying AI in remarkable ways, thanks to innovative machine learning models, trained using data from old experiments. By analyzing the genetic designs, researchers can approach each case with more efficiency and accuracy. They can customize treatment models to prescribe the most effective drugs, while at the same time avoiding side effects. 

Accelerated genomic sequencing have a marvelous impact on the global fight against COVID-19, since the insights derived through this technique means faster understanding of the sub strains of the virus, its infectiousness, and a modelling on how it spreads through a population. 

Using data to drive personalized healthcare 

Personalized use of smart devices mean more data to drive health insights. In the next few year, we will witness smart households driving health outcomes through better monitoring at the edge and fast medical responses. Since we are already well accustomed to wearing devices to track our exercise and fitness levels, interpreting that data with AI and HPC will aid in early diagnosis of health problems and help to set the appropriate pathway for treatment. Imagine a time when an individual can accurately understand their health condition before even speaking to a doctor. 

Technology that advances humanity 

As access to AI and HPC becomes part of medical research every day, we can expect to see more organizations reaping the rewards by integrating AI into their infrastructure. We can anticipate that the market will continue to expand with HPC, AI and data analytics solutions and tooling converge. Additionally, we will see the adoption of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) continue to drive AI, which will pave the way for a new line of Intelligent Processing Units (IPUs). Combined, this will further accelerate the role of data across all industries and while adopting new ways of working can seem daunting for organizations, technology vendors are well-positioned to help businesses navigate unfamiliar terrain. 

Medical research has already achieved massive success with both AI and HPC. By automating baseline data interrogation, humans are free to focus on the finer points of research and discovery. For the areas of healthcare and medical research, HPC will be the critical and X factor in the fight against the diagnosis of rare diseases, paving the way for a new era of preventative healthcare. 

About the Author: 

Manish Gupta, Senior Director & General Manager, Infrastructure Solutions Group, Dell Technologies India. 

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Smarter Systems, Simpler Care: The Future of AI in Healthcare 

One of the crucial sectors that has seen an overnight transformation is healthcare. The advent of smart analytics, algorithms and artificial intelligence allows doctors to provide more precise and personalized patient care. 

This paradigm shift is impacting not only how we diagnose and treat patients but also overhauling the patient experience. But as the industry continues to transform, the modern CIO has to answer a pressing question: How do we integrate these tools responsibly, effectively, and ethically? 

With growing concerns about data governance, privacy concerns, and the nuances of AI adoption, the CIOs become the linchpin between clinical expertise and digital innovation. Their role isn’t merely to deploy technology but to build a culture where AI becomes a true ally in healthcare. 

Precision Medicine: A Crucial Ally 

Recent breakthroughs in medical science have enabled doctors to provide the right diagnosis and customized treatment to further ease the patient’s experience. Yet we see clinics and test centers overburdened. With mounting datasets and less manpower, AI has made critical inroads in taking the burden away from these stressed centers. 

An example of this can be seen in diagnostic imaging. With the massive inflow of data from CT scans, the utilization of AI-driven tools can help scan over 500+ images while helping clinics catch the early signs of diseases like Fatty Liver and flag critical cases. This will help doctors not only speed up diagnosis but also provide precise care to critical cases without any delay. 

Ambient Documentation: Goodbye administrative overload 

Another avenue that has often been an issue for healthcare providers is streamlined documentation. When the electronic health record (EHR) systems were first introduced, it was intended to streamline processes but all it could manage was to pile on administrative tasks. 

For countless physicians, the end of a shift no longer means rest; it means hours spent at home, logging patient details instead of recharging. To further aid in keeping the doctors fresh and allowing them to focus, many healthcare organizations are moving towards adopting ambient documentation technology. 

An AI technology that listens in on the doctor-patient conversation and generates real-time notes which are ready for review. This tool will not only cut down on administrative work but also free clinics to focus on patients. However, the tech would require regular audits to help maintain its performance. 

Smarter Scheduling and Tailored Care 

In healthcare, logistics are as critical as diagnostics. Take scheduling in a busy hospital: ORs, always in demand, sometimes sit idle simply due to a scheduling mishap. With machine learning swooping in, some hospitals are spotting these conflicts before they happen, aligning surgeons’ schedules with OR availability. The result? Hundreds of precious OR hours were reclaimed, patient wait times slashed, and surgeries proceeded on time. It’s a simple solution, just a bit of wizardry on the backend to bring it all together. 

Then there’s the matter of tailored care for complex cases. Patients with intricate conditions, such as cancer, need more than standard treatment plans. Some organizations are linking customized treatment roadmaps directly to electronic medical records. 

This innovation puts every patient’s unique plan right in front of the clinician, skipping the scramble. Hundreds of personalized protocols are ready at a click. A win for patients and providers alike. By cracking open EMR systems for real customization, healthcare gets a little closer to being truly patient-centered. 

What’s Next? AI for Efficiency and Patient-Centered Care 

So, what lies ahead? New AI tools promise to ease physicians’ workloads, streamline chart reviews, and simplify billing. These innovations aim to lift the administrative weight, letting clinicians focus on what truly matters—patient care. 

But digital transformation in healthcare is far from finished. The next step is clear: create systems that support without adding complexity, turning the EMR from a task manager into a true record keeper. With this shift, patient care becomes smoother, the clinician’s role simpler, and healthcare better prepared for the next wave of change.