Cairo ICT 2018 Driving Transformation Along the past 21 years, Cairo ICT has been hovering around the concepts of transformation, however leading to the concept through multiple ways. It is well-known the event was a regional and perhaps a world leader in the convergence of technologies, far ahead of its peers and competitor. And from convergence to disruption the path was long and rough; many concepts at times were introduced either quite timely or, unfortunately, prematurely for a region (the Middle East and Africa) still lagging behind the advanced world. But here we are today, satisfied with the past, but with eyes open-wide on the future, seeking to serve the same region with concepts to help its people thrive and make up for time lost in hesitation and time lost in slow response to people s aspirations. What was an option few years ago has become a need, turning today into a warning Transform or Die!. Digital transformation is not new, but it is entering an era of unprecedented change for businesses. 90% of the data in the world today has been created in the last 2 years, thus creating challenges and opportunities for all types of organizations in the era of digital business transformation? Digital business transformation gives organizations the potential to go beyond simple handling of an organization s departments to integrating them to reach internal and external stakeholders with equal ease. Cairo ICT in the past few years has had clear demarcation lines that slowly disappeared into one seamless exhibition and conference that provides opportunities for corporations, vendors, integrators, developers etc. to grow and to meet their potential clients and peers. It is a unique blend of government, business, academia, users from the most important domains. In 2018, this magic blend is stated clearly into main sectors spread along 50,000 square meters of exhibition space and 8 conference rooms to cover: Telecommunications and Information Technology Transformation Cairo ICT Digital Financial Inclusion and Fintech PAFIX Defense, Security and Public Safety Transformation DSS Smart Communities & Intelligent Cities Transformation Intellicities
Transportation Transformation Government Transformation Gov-Trans 2018 Education, learning & Skills Transformation Innovation, the Transformation Driver: Innovation Arena ICT 2018 The Transformation Agent ICT is transforming the world through innovative ideas, concepts and platforms. However, the ICT field itself is transforming as important shifts are happening both in the telecommunication and the Information Technology fields. The major shift in new cutting-edge AI technologies has both current and future potential impact across all industry and service sectors in terms of capabilities and endless opportunities for all. But with opportunity comes the challenge, pointing out that data generated by AI is owned only by the few companies and/or individuals who use their data ownership for their own profit maximization. Introducing AI in heavily-populated countries, such as Egypt or Nigeria will receive resistance as AI increasingly replaces humans in a many professions and jobs. Introducing AI and its potential needs to be associated with a serious discussion about the future of workforce in the AI era, which is not only transforming societies, but also transforming the ICT industry itself. Meanwhile, the telecom sector is closely observing AI technologies which are bound to accelerate the evolution of network operator infrastructure into an intelligent network, where operators can build faster, smarter and scalable networks, incorporating AI features and applications in network operation and management to make the intelligent network a reality soon. This is one example of the evolution that is happening worldwide; this is how the disruptor gets disrupted. Internet of things may remain as the big thing; however, new trends may sweep over those lagging behind. With the explosion of IoT, ICT now has the power to do much more - it empowers organizations to transform for success in the digital era. Seamless, intelligent, and ubiquitous interactivity is a key theme across all verticals. Mobile, analytics, and cloud computing were just the first phase of transformation, the next is driven by IoT, big data, connectivity and convergence of applications and services to change again
the way we work, communicate, and play. Seamless experiences will depend on integration of the various systems, databases, and devices, with robust analytics engines to process internal and external data, with tablets, and other mobile devices, sensors, and robotics across verticals. When experts come to the ICT conference in 2018, such topics and more will be subject of discussion, while exhibitors will be receiving almost 100K+ visitors from all walks of life from the African continent and the Middle East to explain the solutions they provide along these lines and more. The unique blend of government, business and youth visitors from the world s fastest growing region, in the heart of one of the region s fastest growing economies, deals will be as usual made, leads contacted and opportunities avail themselves to all. This is the magic mix of the entire Cairo ICT that proved again in 2017 that it is the right destination to do business, discuss issues of relevance, meet customers and potentials, and create brand awareness. Information and Cyber Security Across All Domains Information and Cyber security are at the heart of Cairo ICT, noting the vicious nature of attacks on our life, which has become continuously online. Both corporations and individuals are aware of the hazards caused by hackers, ransom seekers, giving the topic ultimate attention. Information security gurus are always at hand to offer their solutions to governments, financial institutions, corporates, and businesses as well as individuals. Cyber Security is an important concern for every organization. It serves all fields across the entire event; Financial Technology (PAFIX), Security and Public Safety (DSS), Smart Communities (Intellicities), Government Transformation, Transport, Education, innovation, or any other domain that we encourage and facilitate to be connected and online. Focusing on technology alone to address Cyber Security is not enough. Managing cyber risk is a process, as much as it is technology. Responsibility is not only that of technical experts, as leaders must take control of availing resources and spread a knowledgeable organizational culture. Discussion panels on Cyber Security will provide insights for top management to learn the basics about mistakes in application, the importance of adopting cyber security policies, and see what is the new normal of cyber security. Cairo ICT: Your Launch Pad Moreover, Cairo ICT is the right place to launch new products and services, be it a mobile phone, new display technology, new printing solution, new service, software or another. Thousands of technology savvy people will be at hand to test and all the major press and media will be available to provide you with unmatched coverage on television, online and in publications. The event in the past 21 years has witnessed the launch of dozens of services, hundreds of brands and thousands of ideas, all of which were more than successful.
Payments, FinTech & Digital Inclusion PAFIX 2018 FinTech has become the darling of the investment community. The projected investment by the banking industry is on mobile payments. FinTech companies around the world are disrupting traditional banking relationships and processing models and introducing new payment delivery technologies, FinTech is reinventing financial services as we know it, and creating new opportunities for startups and established industry leaders alike. PAFIX 2018, already in its 5 th round, has been a voice that has been calling on banks and financial institutions to take up digital inclusion as a means to help themselves as much as to help the underserved population of our region. But those traditional institutions moved cautiously until FinTech sounded the alarm. It was only then that the financial sector policymakers recognized the game-changing potential of digital financial inclusion. Now, global financial regulators have the opportunity and responsibility to set the standards for both the risks and rewards of FinTech. Unbanked individuals are increasingly gaining access to financial services through digital channels who offer basic financial services at greater convenience and lower cost than traditional banks. New institutions and new collaboration methods are far reaching and efficient in creating the digital finance ecosystem. Key components of Digital Financial Inclusion Digital financial inclusion is the digital access to formal financial services by underserved populations. For such services to be suited to customer needs, at a cost affordable to customers and sustainable for providers, PAFIX 2018 will tackle its 4 key components:
Regulators who either make way for digital financial inclusion or will block the way to defend current positions of financial institutions. Digital Transaction Platforms that enable customers to use a device to make/receive payment transfers and to store value electronically Retail Agents who convert cash into electronically stored value/transform stored value back into cash. Enablers from both the government and civil society who provide programs that serve as a catalyst for faster growth. In order to achieve the purpose of digital inclusion, all four key components need to move simultaneously. But another important element that may serve accelerate the very long process is donors. Donors have been committing billions of dollars each year to projects that promote financial inclusion and today they are expanding their priorities and seek opportunities to achieve inclusion by supporting economic development and poverty alleviation. Donors can continue to add value by using part of their resources in supporting overall development objectives and creating the favorable ecosystem. FinTech & Innovation As regulators took their time in developing the processes towards financial inclusion and their reluctance to seriously move towards digital inclusion, a rapture between them and the new world occurred; and only innovation can fix. PAFIX 2018 will not only present FinTechs the way other events do: they show them as a button in the elegant classical suit, while we show them as partners that will lead the future towards a faster, more efficient and to-the-point Digital Financial Inclusion. This track will offer insight into the FinTech movement, with an emphasis on technologies which help players better understand data and deal with it in an efficient and creative manner. The Future and Implications of Blockchain Technology Another important topic to be handled from the financial perspective, admitting that blockchain is not limited to this domain, is blockchain its future and implications. Discussions at PAFIX 2018 include: Will take decades for blockchain to merge with our economic infrastructure, both in terms of complex cases and simpler applications? What barriers must governments, corporations and other legal entities overcome to widely adopt blockchain? Is blockchain only e-cash, or a new operating system for the economy? How can Legislation understand the complex aspects of blockchain technology, with its diverse uses and implications? Dividends: How do newcomers participate in the blockchain revolution? Does it require significant technological and resource investment?
How secure is blockchain? This will be a challenging conference and a rich exhibition. And both you cannot miss! Government Transformation Gov-Trans 2018 What does the future look like for digital technology in the public sector? How do countries seek to shift with global trends, seeking citizen contribution to the economy and ultimately citizen satisfaction? In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with digital technology at the core of such vision. The Journey to Government digital transformation examines the ability of digital technology to fundamentally transform the way the public sector operates and delivers services to customers and offers strategies for government leaders to accelerate the rate of their progress. Objectives of Gov-Trans 2018 Show progress governments made in their journey towards transformation Announce governments plans in the coming years Exchange experiences with other governments about the process, feedback etc. Listen to top industry professionals about shortcuts to reach their goals faster and more efficiently Help governments create world class digital platforms and services Lean how governments can provide security for departments to share vital data Encourage more citizens to engage the government online Create ways for reducing the cost of delivering public services Transformation: The Next Steps Do We Have to Reinvent the Wheel? Use the outcome of the first years of transformation to deliver Strategy. Work together to strengthen digital technology capability across governments Examine the impact of current investment in transformation on governments Create tools to radically eliminate digital literacy across government Support the development of payment options based on need
Ensure Innovation and Fintech be part of the process Guarantee quality and excellence in each government vertical Develop long-term strategies for Transformation Transformation in Government Verticals It is a grave mistake if we speak of government as one block, as the process that may apply to one department, may not apply to the other. A connected is vital, but different departments or ministries have their variations, or may need additional or different tools for service delivery. Government Transformation Expo 2018 will address some verticals as examples of such variation, such as: Government Transformation in Healthcare Sector: Health Ministers and top health officials from the MEA region will discuss issues related, among others, to: Creating Connected Health Cities Sharing health data across research centers for public good Unifying health providers in any given country under one regulator Uniting universities and research centers and networks to improve the lives of millions Empowering citizens to take control of their healthcare Government Transformation in Digital Verification Unifying identity methods, tools and verification technologies Considering alternative identification systems that can be spread out to remote areas Examining best practices which are economical, effective and portable Probing and comparing the outcome of systems applied These are only examples of the different government verticals that will combine government officials, solution providers and citizen leadership from parliaments to local councils etc. from countries within and outside the MEA region to establish user-centric designs jointly with service providers. Who Should Attend: Governments seeking to present their vision to the world and seeking to exchange views with their peers Government officials from across the Middle East and Africa Representatives of international and United Nations organization Donor agencies and charities
Technology providers Media influencers and economists LEARN-TECH MEA EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION Learning Today Leading Tomorrow Education is a core part of the economic development of any country and is one of the significant influences in enabling growth. Technology is having a revolutionary impression on every aspect of education. On top, Technology can create a transformation in the ultimate aim and delivery of education. Technological education helps in promoting the skills of students. It also has the ability to enhance teacher-student relationship. For many years we have been talking about how ICT will transform the way people are educated, but the result was not up to everyone s expectations. The cost has been way to exuberant against modest results. The question about how come leads us to believe that real transformation only comes from disruption, which is uncomfortable for those who enjoy the status quo. Transformation requires a clear vision of where you re trying to go, and political and professional leadership to get there. Now, the time is right for education transformation, and the reasons: Cloud computing is already making ICT capability available more easily and at less cost for education providers. Big data highlights the ever-increasing importance of the analytical skills that today s learners need and will need even more in the future. The impact that mobile data, especially video, will have will make video use unprecedented, noting that forecasts show a 10-fold increase in mobile data in the next 5 years,with video standing out as the biggest contributor. Based on these concept, Cairo ICT 2018 will witness the launch of a brand-new event (Learn- Tech MEA) that aims at bringing all academics, educators, educational corporates and even the interested parents together to make education more relevant in the dynamic 21 st century. At Cairo
ICT 2018, we delight ourselves to take along thousands of educators from across Africa to deliberate the future of technology in learning. You will witness the latest educational technologies and contribute in a variety of conference topics about the future of education in Egypt & Africa. The latest tech trends that will change learning in 2018 and will be tackled at (Learn-Tech MEA) are: Machine Learning and AI-Driven Customized Learning: Machine learning and artificial intelligence will play a key role in 2018. It will be used to create customized learning paths for learners based on the topics they have recently studied Adaptive Learning: Adaptive learning methodologies allow learners to move quickly through the concepts that they already know and focus on the concepts that they need to build skills on. Microlearning, a concept that has been in the training industry for few years and will continue as a trend in 2018. Studies prove that the retention is better when information is delivered in bite-size pieces focusing on a single topic. Hands-On, Embedded Experiences: In 2018 we will see lab-delivery platforms emerging, and lab-style learning embedded within e-learning. This trend will bring e- learning even closer to the traditional instructor-led, hands-on training methodology. Social Learning: To scale and provide their global learner base with a continuous learning environment where they learn not just from experts but also from each other. Some of the Conference Headlines: Transforming Education for Tomorrow s Students Learning Strategy: Creating a high-impact learning strategy Mobile Delivery: Driving high-value team learning with mobile delivery The Future of Learning: where should you focus today? Case Study: e.g. Game-Based approach to learning without lessons Connecting classrooms globally across languages & cultures How can digital technology help break down barriers in education competitiveness? Quality education plays a key role in the economic development of any nation and is one of the key forces in enabling growth. (Learn-Tech MEA), a 4-day chance to attend an innovative educational content for educators of all levels, representing the full sphere of educational suppliers, bringing them together with all levels of educationalists in one place. There is no a better place to witness the latest educational technologies in action and participate in a range of conference topics about the future of education in Africa and the Middle East. Exhibitor Profile: Suppliers and Services Providers Educational and Technology Solutions Companies Universities, schools & institutions Donor Agencies
Educational Supplies Providers AI companies Lab Equipment Providers Infrastructures Development AV Equipment Training Consultants E-Content Providers Robotics Education Constructions Contractors (Educational facilities, Libraries, Labs construction) Systems Integrators Intelligence Education associations Interactive whiteboards and technologies Learning games and devices 3D printers, scanners, Robotics, augmented reality Visitor Profile from across the MEA region and Europe: Academics Researchers Primary, secondary, vocational, or tertiary educators Technologists and Scientists School counsellors, principals and teachers Education policy development representatives Lifelong learning educators Education advisers Bridging programme lecturers & support staff Professionals from the private and public sector General personnel from vocational sectors Technical staff Career/employment officers Student Unions Library personnel International support and services staff Open learning specialists