AI, cybersecurity and board effectiveness in a new governance era

Thursday 29 January 2026, 9.30am to 12.30pm GST at The Dubai EDITION hotel in Dubai, UAE.

Boards in the Middle East are entering a new era of governance—where AI-driven decision-making, cybersecurity threats, and data sovereignty requirements are reshaping how directors lead. These forces present both critical challenges and strategic opportunities for boards to strengthen resilience and effectiveness.

Board Agenda is delighted to be the media partner for this exclusive Nasdaq-hosted event designed for senior governance leaders to explore practical strategies for navigating this transformation,

Why attend?

Join us for an exclusive morning as we celebrate Nasdaq Boardvantage’s strategic expansion in the UAE. Discover how AI-powered governance, local data hosting, and seamless integrations are transforming board operations, enabling smarter decision-making, and reducing operational drag for governance professionals. This invite-only event brings together leading company secretaries, general counsels, board members and governance professionals for networking, insights, and hands-on discussions.

Experts will address:

• How will AI influence board roles and responsibilities?
• What does data sovereignty mean for compliance and risk in the UAE?
• How can boards balance innovation with security and ethical oversight?

Agenda highlights:

• Welcome Breakfast & Networking
• Panel 1: The Intelligent Director – Is AI the New Board Member?
• Panel 2: Redefining Board Effectiveness: Cybersecurity, AI & Modern Directors
• Interactive Q&A and Closing Reflections

Speakers & moderators:

• James Beasley, Head of Board Advisory EMEA, Nasdaq
• Maali Khader, CEO, Middle East Institute of Directors
• Vicken Khochafian, Board Secretary & Governance Director, Dubai Taxi Company PJSC
• Michael Bartels, SVP, Head of Workflow & Insights, Nasdaq

Reserve your spot today. Register here

Spaces are limited for this exclusive gathering. Join us to explore the challenges, seize the opportunities, and shape the future of governance in the UAE.