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DCN Riyadh >> Agenda

Agenda

08:00 - 09:00

EXPO AREA

Registration & Breakfast

09:00 - 09:10

HALL 1

Welcome Remarks from Data Center Nation

Matt Welch
Head of Conference Production at DCN

09:10 - 09:50

HALL 1

The vision of the future, today - The Gulf's digital infrastructure awakening

As AI adoption accelerates globally, nations across the Middle East are rapidly positioning themselves as the next generation of digital powerhouses – shaping the future of the world’s data-driven transformation. Driven by a wave of investment in cloud, hyperscale, and AI-ready infrastructure, this region is rapidly building the ecosystem required for the future of the data center industry. This opening session explores how the Middle East is building an ideal environment for digital advancement, leveraging strong government support, competitive financial markets, fast-growing talent pools, and global technology partnerships. From Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions and broader regional cooperation initiatives, the discussion will examine how innovative visions and collaboration are converging to shape a resilient, world-class digital economy.

HALL 2

Carbon, computing, and the next digital frontier

Artificial intelligence, data centres, and digital transformation are reshaping global energy demand at unprecedented speed. At the same time, governments, industries, and investors are pressing for ambitious carbon reduction and renewable energy strategies. Saudi Arabia, with its Vision 2030 agenda and role in global energy markets, stands at the heart of this conversation. This opening session explores how the data centre industry is balancing AI’s soaring power demands with the urgent drive for sustainability. From grid resilience to emissions accountability, and from regulation to innovation, the discussion will spotlight the opportunities shaping this pivotal energy transition – and how Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront.

10:00 - 10:35

HALL 1

Connected Intelligence: The architecture of a unified digital platform

As workloads move to the edge and data demands intensify, the line between connectivity and data centers is disappearing. This session explores how Saudi Arabia’s digital evolution depends on integrating both – designing a platform where network and compute operate as one. Through center3’s unified approach, subsea systems, terrestrial networks, and data center clusters are aligned to deliver low-latency, high-capacity infrastructure for advanced applications. The discussion will examine how this convergence improves performance, resilience, and scalability – and what it means for Saudi Arabia’s role as the region’s digital hub.

HALL 2

Global scale best practice & innovation: People, processes & technology – Operating the KSA data center market boom

As Saudi Arabia’s data center market rapidly scales, this session explores global best practices in people, processes, and technology to efficiently operate, innovate, and sustain growth across the Kingdom’s expanding digital infrastructure.

HALL 3

From blueprint to operation: Smarter HVAC strategies for sustainable data centers

Designing efficient, reliable data centers begins long before the first unit is installed. From early-stage concept design through commissioning and operation, HVAC strategy plays a critical role in performance and sustainability outcomes. In this session, explore practical insights into optimizing cooling system design for Saudi Arabia’s unique environmental and regulatory conditions. Learn how data-driven design, system integration, and lifecycle support can deliver measurable gains in energy efficiency, uptime, and cost control – helping operators meet their growing digital demands while advancing towards an efficient future.

HALL 4

Saudi Arabia’s next-gen data center ecosystem

As modular data centres are rapidly deployable, it’s no surprise they are transforming how organisations host latency-sensitive AI services while keeping data and models in-country. This session explores how modular infrastructure, combined with sovereign cloud and hybrid platforms, delivers low-latency inference, local model hosting, and seamless alignment with Saudi data-residency policies.
This session will also tackle real-world constraints: power and cooling, secure supply chains, model governance, and the integrated operations needed to scale modular AI responsibly across the Kingdom. In short: modular isn’t just faster: it’s the future of sovereign AI in Saudi Arabia.

10:35 - 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 - 11:35

HALL 1

Accelerating the deployment of large-scale AI data centers

Join this session to explore strategies, technologies, and collaborations required to fast-track the development of AI-driven data centers while ensuring scalability, sustainability, and operational excellence.

HALL 2

Cooling the AI revolution: An executive panel on thermal innovation for MENA's billion-token data centers

As power demand across MENA continues to surge, data center operators face mounting challenges in managing heat in one of the world’s hottest climates. Rising rack densities and extreme temperatures are pushing traditional cooling systems to their limits, making advanced thermal management more critical than ever. This session explores how operators are rethinking cooling strategies, from innovative liquid cooling and hybrid designs to resource-efficient solutions like greywater use. Can data centers truly thrive under extreme heat? Are we underestimating the thermal thresholds of modern systems? Join this session to explore the next frontier of thermal efficiency and sustainability in data centers.

HALL 3

The liquid frontier: Immersive Cooling for AI's unprecedented demands

As AI drives extreme power densities, traditional cooling can fall short. This session explores how immersive cooling can redefine efficiency, performance, and scalability for next-generation data centers.

HALL 4

Future-ready data centers in Saudi Arabia: Sustainable decisions and reliable partnerships for success

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital infrastructure ambitions, building future-ready data centers requires more than advanced technology – it demands trusted partners with proven expertise and robust capabilities. This thought leadership debate will explore some of the key sustainable decision criteria for data center development from a multi-faceted industry approach, including operators, construction and project management, manufacturers, and consultancy, while considering environmental requirements and site conditions.

The discussion will also highlight how reliability, operational excellence, and strong supplier networks can make the difference in delivering high-performance, sustainable facilities that meet both regional demand and national environmental goals.

11:45 - 12:20

HALL 1

Empowering the next generation of AI compute in KSA: The 1GW paradigm

Discover how Vertiv is powering the next generation of AI compute in KSA through the groundbreaking 1GW infrastructure paradigm, driving efficiency, and innovation across the region’s digital future.

HALL 2

Future-proof delivery: The new execution model for high-speed, high-quality data centre builds

As digital infrastructure demand accelerates across the Middle East – driven by cloud expansion, AI adoption and hyperscaler investment – EPC delivery models must evolve. This session explores how construction efficiency, modular and prefabricated approaches, cross-discipline coordination and robust quality governance can reduce risk and shorten delivery timelines.

Recent strategic alliances and major AI infrastructure deals from the AMD, Cisco & Humain 1GW initiative to Humain’s partnerships with AirTrunk, Aramco, Qualcomm and DataVolt – are rapidly reshaping demand and investment patterns in Saudi Arabia. These developments are pivotal to Vision 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for AI innovation and high-performance digital infrastructure.

The panel will examine practical responses to cost pressure and supply-chain constraints and outline delivery models that deliver speed, consistency and sustainability for future data centre builds.

HALL 3

Beyond the horizon: AI trends reshaping data centers in 2026

The data centre industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf is evolving faster than ever, fueled by emerging technologies and shifting market demands. While some global markets are already mature, the Kingdom is driving rapid growth and innovation, unlocking exciting developments in AI. This session explores the trends shaping the future, giving attendees clear insight into the technologies and strategies that will define data centre growth, operational excellence, and digital transformation in 2026 and beyond.

HALL 4

Staying cool as AI heats up: The future of data center cooling

AI and high-performance computing are pushing data centres to their limits, and traditional air-cooling can’t keep up. From liquid-to-chip systems to full-server immersion, next-generation cooling solutions promise greater efficiency and thermal performance but implementing them comes with challenges. Retrofitting infrastructure, managing mechanical complexity, and weighing the true costs and benefits are critical, especially in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing data centre market. Join this session to discover practical strategies to scale advanced cooling technologies and create a roadmap for the future of high-performance operations

12:30 - 13:05

HALL 1

AI data centers and their impact on grid stability

As AI data centers continue to be deployed globally, utilities are increasingly facing challenges related to grid stability, driven by the massive and highly non-linear loads generated by these facilities

HALL 2

Carrier innovation in Liquid Cooling: End-to-end performance from CDU design to plant optimization

Modern data centers demand ever-higher efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. This panel explores the role of next-generation data center chillers and the high-efficiency features now embedded in their design. Speakers will highlight how advanced simulations can evaluate life-cycle cost, operational limits, and performance under varying equipment configurations and weather conditions. The discussion will also examine how intelligent management systems optimize cooling strategies across mission-critical environments, maximizing efficiency while maintaining continuous uptime.

HALL 3

From power to chip – Fuelling Saudi Arabia’s AI data centre evolution

With AI workloads booming, Saudi Arabia’s data centres must transform into integrated ecosystems, from onsite power generation to advanced chip technologies. Meeting this ‘power to chip’ vision requires sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure and close collaboration across the power supply chain. It also requires an awareness of what happens outside of our industry – ensuring that data centres become good grid citizens. In this presentation we will explore innovations in energy-aware design, chip development, and the merging of technology and society that will power AI today and tomorrow.

HALL 4

The green data evolution - Strategies for sustainable growth

Sustainability is no longer optional: it’s a strategic imperative. Across the globe, governments and operators are aligning with global carbon-reduction goals by prioritising energy efficiency, renewable power, and low-impact cooling systems. This session explores how green data centre strategies, from water-saving technologies to carbon-neutral certifications, are shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure within Saudi Arabia, and what lessons that this nation can teach the world.

13:05 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 14:35

HALL 1

Future data center modularity and design development with challenges to solve

Future datacenters are moving to modular designs for faster deployment and easier scaling.
These systems connect compute, storage, and power in flexible building blocks for cloud and edge environments. The main challenges are power management, security, and standardization to keep everything working together smoothly.

HALL 2

Empowering the future workforce - Development and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the GCC

As Saudi Arabia’s data centre sector expands rapidly, attracting and retaining talent is vital to sustain growth. KSA is opening new avenues for workforce development by embracing greater opportunities, while addressing challenges posed by an aging workforce. This panel explores initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 that promote upskilling in critical areas such as advanced cooling technologies, energy efficiency, and AI-driven monitoring systems. Join us to learn how investment in human capital is shaping a skilled, inclusive workforce ready to power the Kingdom’s digital future.

HALL 3

Made for the Gulf: Efficiency and innovation in data center manufacturing

As data center demand accelerates across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region, efficiency has become the defining challenge of the next decade. But efficiency isn’t just about design and cooling – it starts at the manufacturing level. In this session, explore how manufacturers play a pivotal role in shaping a smarter, more sustainable data center ecosystem for the Gulf. From “Made in KSA” manufacturing initiatives to the evolving regional supply chain, this conversation will highlight how industrial readiness and collaboration can help meet the Gulf’s growing data and energy challenges. By bringing a manufacturing perspective to the data center dialogue, this session offers practical steps toward resilient and efficient infrastructure for the digital era.

HALL 4

Greening intelligence: Charting the future of sustainable AI – From grid to chip

The race to power artificial intelligence is transforming how data centers are designed, built, and operated. This panel brings together industry leaders to explore the technologies reshaping sustainability in AI infrastructure, from AI-ready UPS and HVDC power systems to advanced CDU and AALC cooling. This session will also examine the growing role of renewables, including hydrogen, in reducing carbon intensity. Together, this session will chart a smarter, greener path for data centers where efficiency, intelligence, and environmental responsibility converge.

14:45 - 15:20

HALL 1

Breathing new life into your data centre: Engineering, sustainability, and excellence

Saudi Arabia’s data centre market is booming, but with growth comes responsibility. Hyperscalers and other operators are now looking beyond basic performance, prioritizing energy efficiency, sustainability, and mastery of the full facility lifecycle – from installation and advanced cooling to heat reuse and decommissioning. This session explores how next-generation designs and German-led engineering expertise are shaping the Kingdom’s emerging tech hubs. Join us to discover how innovative lifecycle planning, cooling methods, and sustainability effectiveness can deliver both operational excellence and a minimal environmental footprint.

HALL 2

Igniting the AI revolution: Risks, rewards, and opportunities

As AI workloads accelerate, data centres must transform into energy-efficient, fully integrated ecosystems. From on-site power generation and UPS systems to advanced energy storage, new opportunities are emerging to power the AI revolution. Yet challenges and risks remain. How can they be identified and overcome? This panel will examine innovations in power infrastructure, energy-aware design, and hardware–software integration, while highlighting the collaboration needed to build resilient, sustainable, and AI-ready facilities.

HALL 3

AI reshaping data center physical infrastructure topology

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping data center physical infrastructure by enabling topologies optimized for ultra‑high throughput. Next‑generation designs support reliable 800G and 1.6T data rates while addressing the challenges of high‑density deployments. AI‑driven automation enhances fiber and copper infrastructure requirements.

HALL 4

Lifecycle management data center

Saudi Arabia’s data centre market is growing at unprecedented speed, with architecture, construction, and operations converging like never before. This session explores how expertise in new builds, design‑fitout, and facility management drives AI‑enhanced operations and full lifecycle efficiency. Learn how these strategies create resilient, energy‑optimized data centres built for today and tomorrow, ensuring maximum uptime and future-ready performance across the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

15:25 - 16:00

HALL 1

Future-ready data centres - Building cyber & physical resilience

Data centres are a critical component of global infrastructure and the risks surrounding them are multiplying. However, resilience can no longer be viewed as a purely digital challenge – developing integrated resilience frameworks across physical, digital infrastructures and regulatory requirements create secure, compliant and resilient digital infrastructure. True resilience starts at the design stage, ensuring that facilities and systems are engineered for security, compliance, continuity, and trust.

In Saudi Arabia, regulatory and compliance requirements introduce some unique considerations, demanding an integrated approach that combines robust physical security with advanced digital safeguards. From assets that are secure by design and access controls to AI-driven threat detection, zero-trust architectures, and compliance frameworks, this session examines how collaboration between cyber specialists and facility designers is essential. Together, they can deliver resilience that protects uptime, meets regulatory obligations, and preserves reputation in an evolving threat landscape where physical and digital risks are inseparable.

HALL 2

From capacity to capability: Rethinking data center design and operations in the AI era

The rapid growth of AI, high-density computing, and mission-critical workloads is transforming how data centers are designed and operated. Capacity alone is no longer enough – capability, adaptability, and intelligence are now essential.

HALL 3

Building and powering scalable data centers

Join this session, hosted by Amana Group, to explore the latest in building and powering scalable data centers.

HALL 4

From grid to chip - powering Saudi Arabia's AI data centre evolution

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16:00 - 17:00

Closing Networking Reception

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