HR Tech MENA Summit 2026 spotlights AI execution in HR

The 12th HR Tech MENA Summit closed in Dubai after two days focused on moving HR AI from talk to execution. More than 400 HR and technology leaders from the Gulf discussed use cases, governance, and the human role in AI-driven workplace change.

Why it matters: - The summit framed AI in HR as an execution problem, not a concept problem. - Leaders focused on measurable change, human judgment, and cross-functional collaboration. - The event signaled that Gulf employers are moving from experimentation to practical adoption.

What happened: - The 12th HR Tech MENA Summit ended at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah after two days in Dubai. - More than 400 HR and technology leaders from Gulf countries attended. - The summit theme was “The Age of Execution: Where AI Becomes More Human.” - The event moved from broad discussion to sessions centered on implementation, workforce change, and governance.

The details: - Arthur Carmazzi opened the summit with a keynote on leading change when AI does not stop. - Carmazzi said technology moves at machine speed, while people move at human speed, and corporate culture remains the most durable advantage in an automated world. - In a session on HR as a strategic advantage, Walid Tayel said acknowledging real workforce change builds more trust than softening the message. - Tayel said Elsewedy Electric is running three linked AI efforts at once: an AI-enabled HR program with more than 30 live use cases, a company-wide upskilling initiative, and an AI skills program running since 2024. - Tayel said the goal of those efforts is to expand human potential, not replace it. - In a session on talent transformation, Mustafa Gomaa said AI creates the most value in execution and in screening candidates and building shortlists at scale. - Gomaa said culture fit and hiring for critical roles still require human judgment. - Gomaa also described simplifying reporting from dozens of possible metrics to three: talent density, strength of the critical-role pipeline, and risk of top performer attrition. - That approach helped his organization spot warning signs six months before a large share of mid-level operational leaders faced attrition risk. - In an executive panel on HR and IT, Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi said the two functions need to move beyond a customer-and-service-provider model. - Al Awadhi said IT brings system and technology expertise, while HR brings deeper knowledge of how work actually flows inside an organization. - The second day focused more heavily on the human side of AI, starting with a keynote on what makes a leader indispensable when AI can do the same task. - Morning sessions also covered cross-border talent, trust, a case study on performance management redesign, the psychology behind AI adoption, and AI governance at a national accountability level. - The summit ended with a hackathon that brought HR and technology leaders together to build and present practical solutions. - Marie-Louise Eck of Hilton said the event delivered strong execution, deep discussion, and high-caliber participants. - Samar Sami of Gulf Cryo said the summit created opportunities to connect with the right partners and rethink how her organization works. - Karim Halbawi of Remote said the summit helped the company meet customers, connect with prospects, and better understand the market as Remote expands in the region. - Karim Selim of Coursera said this was the fifth time the company partnered with the summit. - Karam El Assal of Odoo said the event produced a large number of valuable connections across the UAE and the Gulf.

Between the lines: - The summit’s strongest theme was not AI capability, but human decision-making around AI. - Speakers repeatedly drew a line between automation for scale and people for judgment, culture, and accountability. - The presence of sponsors and attendees across sectors suggests HR tech is becoming a broader business transformation topic, not just an HR issue. - QnA International’s Sidh NC said the summit has evolved over the past decade from a gathering into a movement shaping the region’s future of work.

What's next: - Organizers said the 13th HR Tech MENA Summit will return in 2027. - The next edition is expected to build on this year’s shift from theory toward practical execution. - The event’s trajectory suggests continued focus on AI adoption, governance, and human-centered workplace design.

The bottom line: - HR leaders in the Gulf are no longer debating whether AI belongs in the function. They are debating how to implement it without losing the human judgment that still drives the best decisions.