Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a Qatar Foundation partner university, hosted the inaugural GCC Information Systems Symposium at Education City, marking a significant milestone for the region’s growing digital and academic community.
The first gathering of its kind, the symposium convened leading Information Systems (IS) educators, researchers, and experts from across the Gulf to shape a shared vision for the future of the discipline.
Michael Trick, Dean of CMU-Q, underscored the relevance of the event in a rapidly evolving technological era.
“As artificial intelligence tools become more prevalent, it is essential for educators in the region to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the road ahead,” he said.
“We are educating future leaders, industry professionals and researchers, and together we can foster regional collaboration and guide the conversation about the critical role of Information Systems in the GCC,” Trick added.
More than 70 participants representing all GCC countries — along with Morocco, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom — took part in the one-day forum.
Their strong commitment to continuing this initiative signaled momentum toward establishing a formalized GCC Information Systems community.
As AI reshapes global systems and industries, the symposium highlighted the strategic importance of Information Systems professionals, who bridge advanced technologies with their real-world impact.
From data governance to security and ethical integration, IS experts are increasingly vital in ensuring that AI adoption is responsible, effective, and aligned with societal needs.
The symposium was spearheaded by Nui Vatanasakdakul, Teaching Professor of Information Systems at CMU-Q, who led the regional initiative and chaired the event.
“It is imperative that we come together as experts across the region to define the future of Information Systems,” she noted. “This symposium provides a platform to turn academic research and regional insights into actionable, collaborative strategies that can accelerate the GCC’s digital and AI transformation.”
The organizing committee featured prominent academics from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—including representatives from Kuwait University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Taif University, Saudi Electronic University, CMU-Q, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
A major highlight of the symposium was the Dean’s Panel Series moderated by Dean Trick. The discussion focused on how IS expertise can ensure that AI technologies deliver ethical, measurable, and sustainable value.
As the symposium concluded, CMU-Q faculty reiterated their commitment to sustained regional collaboration.
“Our call to action is to more purposefully integrate the incredible Information Systems expertise we have in the GCC,” said Vatanasakdakul.
“By working together, we can identify shared challenges and lead a digital and AI transformation that delivers meaningful, human-centered value across the region.”
With strong regional interest and momentum, the inaugural symposium sets the foundation for an enduring platform that will guide the evolution of Information Systems across the Gulf for years to come.
