November 2025 / Saudi Special Edition / an ITP Media Group Publication In p a rt n e rs h ip w it h S A P Tech meets talent SAP’s Ahmed AlFaifi is powering KSA’s leap into Work 3.0EDGE | Saudi Special 3 EDITOR’S LETTER Lately, I’ve been paying attention to how often we equate movement with progress. We chase pace, structure our weeks around output, and hold tightly to the familiar rhythm of doing. Yet growth usually arrives in the quiet in-betweens in the times we reset, or let go, in the willingness to loosen control long enough to see what really matters next. That lens sets the tone for this month’s cover feature on the future of work. In conversation with Ahmed AlFaifi , Head of SAP MEA (North) region, we explore how Work 3.0 is reshaping teams, talent and leadership across our region. It’s no longer just about productivity or systems, it’s about empowered people, intelligent tools and environments built for creativity, autonomy and human-led innovation. The next chapter of work isn’t defi ned by speed alone; it’s defi ned by how intentionally we design the culture and trust needed to thrive in it. The issue also captures the strongest moments from GITEX 2025 — the ideas that rose above the noise and signalled a shift from experimentation to execution. After a week on the ground, the message was clear: this region is no longer testing digital transformation, it’s operationalising it. And in that spirit, we highlight our 2025 Technology Awards winners — a reminder that recognising progress holds as much value as reporting on it, because every meaningful leap deserves to be seen. So, as you move through these pages, I hope you fi nd a moment to pause too. To recognise the power in refl ection, the value in intention, and the momentum that comes not only from building — but from knowing when to breathe, reset, and trust what comes next. Pavneet Kaur Editor FROM MY NOTEBOOK I’M NOTICING... outside the big-tech orbit, the region’s innovators and solution providers are focusing more on delivering over securing headlines. I’M WATCHING... how inspiration hits in chaos. As hectic and exhausting GITEX was, it really surfaced what conversations in technology are worth having and the ones that are simply noise. I’M LEARNING... to use GenAI in a way that elevates my work and protects my voice. To trust it with intention, and still think independently. Because, people want to read human, not machines. I’M EXCITED ABOUT... the holiday season and the fresh start 2026 brings, with WGS, WEF, and a calendar where the UAE is at the centre of global conversations and events.4 EDGE | Saudi Special FEATURE Inside NVIDIA’s compute revolution GALLERY A glimpse into the Technology Leadership Awards 2025 BIG PICTURE U.S and China’s ongoing war for compute NEWS UAE ships fi rst batch of SAR satellites to the U.S FEATURE How Moro Hub is rejuvenating the concept of a “digital-fi rst” economy COVER STORY SAP’s Ahmed AlFaifi on building a resilient digital workforce 40 81012 3034EDGE | Saudi Special 5 GITEX SPECIAL The biggest announcements put together from the ground FEATURE Sony’s human-fi rst approach to building tomorrow’s workforce CONTRIBUTION Core42’s Raghu Chakravarthi vouches for systems thinking AWARDS Meet the winners of the 2025 Technology Leadership Awards VINTAGE TECH The wired headphones make a major comeback REPORT Riverbed’s 2025 Global Survey unveils reality of AI readiness 182616 44 48 666 EDGE | Saudi Special The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. 6 EDGE | Saudi Special To fl ip through previous editions of Edge magazine, visit itp.net/magazine-issue/edge PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Pavneet Kaur +971 4 444 3152 / pavneet.kaur@itp.com Project Editor: Heather Cichowski +971 4 444 3271 / heather.cichowski@itp.com Project Editor: Aurelius Coutinho +971 4 444 3760 / aurelius.coutinho@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton +971 4 444 3248 / natasha.pendleton@itp.com Publishing Executive: Vanessa Helou +971 4 444 3343 / vanessa.helou@itp.com Commercial Manager: Neha Ghosh +971 4 444 3257 / neha.ghosh@itp.com Client Services Manager: Cherylann DAbreo +971 4 444 3404 / cherlyann.dabreo@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton / eleanor.ashton@itp.com Senior Events Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager: Balasubramanian P Production Manager: Anand Sundaram Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies 6 EDGE | Saudi Special Stay ahead with ITP Media’s flagship technology hub, featuring five powerhouse brands: ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS, EDGE, COMMSMEA, CHANNEL and CHARGED. From breaking tech news to deep-dive insights, we bring you the latest innovations shaping the region.GALLERY 8 EDGE | Saudi Special CELEBRATING TOMORROW’S INNOVATORS A night at One&Only One Za’abeel brought together the winners of ITP.NET’s Technology Leadership Awards 2025. 26 categories recognised the region’s innovators, disruptors, and changemakers across AI, cloud, cybersecurity, data, and beyond. Here’s a closer look at an evening that celebrated the people shaping the Middle East’s digital future.GALLERY EDGE | Saudi Special 9Next >