About
Practical insights for executives on strategy, governance, workforce transformation and responsible AI adoption.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping business at an unprecedented pace, influencing strategy, operations, workforce planning and risk management. For senior leaders, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to harness its potential while maintaining trust, accountability and organisational resilience.
This interactive panel discussion brings together leaders from across industry to explore how organisations can navigate AI-driven transformation responsibly and effectively. Through practical insights and real-world experiences, panellists will examine the strategic decisions facing executives, the impact on people and organisational culture, and the governance frameworks needed to manage emerging risks.
Designed to encourage discussion and audience participation, the session will provide practical perspectives on leading through uncertainty while positioning organisations for long-term success.
Why Attend?
- Gain practical insights from leaders already implementing AI
- Understand governance and regulatory considerations
- Learn how AI is changing workforce planning and organisational culture
- Discover strategies to create sustainable business value
- Network with senior executives and decision-makers
Speakers
Alexiei Dingli
Director
Digital Brain
Prof. Alexiei Dingli is a Full Professor of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Malta and a leading figure in applied AI innovation. With over 25 years of experience, he has built a strong reputation for bridging cutting-edge research with real-world business impact.
He is the founder of Digital Brain and HumAIn Academy, where he works closely with organisations to design and implement AI-driven solutions, as well as to upskill leaders and teams for the AI era. His work spans multiple industries, including education, Industry 4.0, transportation, and healthcare, consistently focusing on practical transformation through technology. Prof. Dingli has led numerous high-impact AI research and development projects and has received international recognition from institutions such as the European Space Agency and the United Nations. His accolades include the Reinvention Award, Social Impact Award, and the Malta Innovation Awards.
A seasoned entrepreneur and trusted advisor, he regularly consults for both public sector entities and private organisations on AI strategy and implementation. He was also appointed by the Government of Malta to the Malta.AI task force, where he chaired the subcommittee on the Future of Work and Education.
Beyond academia and industry, Prof. Dingli served as Mayor of Valletta for over a decade, bringing leadership experience at both a national and organisational level. He holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Sheffield, an MBA in Technology Management from Grenoble Graduate School of Business, and a B.Sc. (Hons) in IT from the University of Malta.
Digital Brain
Alison Micallef
CEO
Malta Development Bank
Ms Alison Micallef is Chief Executive Officer of Malta Development Bank, with over 30 years of experience in risk management, regulatory governance and sustainable finance across local and international financial institutions. Her career includes senior risk leadership roles at major European institutions, among them Deputy Chief Risk Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer at Santander, Director Risk at Western Union, and Director Market Risk at Raiffeisen Bank International, alongside experience in financial technology as a Solution Architect at Finastra.
Alison holds a Masters in Risk Management from Vienna University and has completed executive education at Oxford University, including studies in AI in Finance and Open Banking. Her background in regulatory governance and risk frameworks, combined with exposure to financial technology and digitalisation strategy, offers a grounded perspective on leadership and risk oversight in a period of technological change.
Malta Development Bank
Jonathan Gerada
Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer
Malta Public Service
Mr Jonathan Gerada is Malta’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and has over twenty years of experience in information technology, with a multidisciplinary background in ICT leadership, digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, technical training and emerging technologies. He joined the Public Service fourteen years ago and served for ten years as a Chief Information Officer, leading strategic ICT initiatives and complex technology projects across Government. His career has combined senior technology management with hands-on technical work, lecturing and professional training, as well as involvement in local and international projects with various organisations.
Malta Public Service
Julian Douglas
CEO
The CX Academy
Mr Julian Douglas is the CEO and co-founder of The CX Academy which sets the global standard for customer experience (CX) training, qualifications and certifications. An entrepreneur and business transformation specialist, his expertise is in the areas of strategy, technology, online development and digital marketing, working with many types of organisations from start-ups to multinationals. He started his working life in the music business working for bands such as U2 and The Waterboys, moved into online development and has worked in the online world ever since. In addition to The CX Academy, he has founded companies in web development, entertainment and home care for the elderly.
The CX Academy
Paul Micallef
Managing Director
Mindworks Malta Ltd
Dr Paul Daniel Micallef is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, an executive coach and mentor, and a senior consultant in leadership capacity building and organisational development. He is registered to practice in Malta with the Malta Psychology Professions Board and in the UK as an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Non-technical competence is his strength, and he mainly works with topics such as resilience, holistic wellbeing, courage and confidence in communication, teamwork, employee onboarding, motivation, corporate values, strategic management, complex dynamics, and multi-tiered expectations. He works at integrating these critical aspects of work life into policy documents, strategic thinking and planning, and day-to-day operations.
His long-term experience in psychology coupled with management, leadership, and executive coaching / mentoring allow him to analyse situations thoroughly and design projects and programmes which address core issues in a practical and timely manner. This ability supports and comforts those who are often perplexed by highly emotive, long-standing, and complex situations including issues of burnout, compassionate fatigue, and dealing with turbulent times at the organizational, sectoral, and national levels. His professional and ethical approach offers a trustworthy, disciplined, and rigorous basis for long-lasting work relations.
He has presented and shared his work at countless conferences over 3 decades focusing on topics like preventing fatigue and burnout, managing energy productively, fostering talent and optimizing potential in leadership and management, organizational development, shaping organizational cultures for better outcomes and performance, holistic wellbeing, retaining talent in the 21st century post COVID, and links between wellbeing, leadership, and the economy. He has learnt that one of the most successful ways of achieving success is to celebrate it and be available to passionate people who are tasked with tremendous responsibilities. Support comes in different ways including individual, group, and team coaching, consultancy, workshops, hybrid learning, and strategic feedback and planning meetings.
Mindworks Malta Ltd
Agenda
08:30 - 09:00Registration08:30 - 09:00Registration Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00 - 09:10Opening09:00 - 09:10Opening Welcome by EMCS Academy
09:10 - 09:20Keynote Address09:10 - 09:20Keynote Address Mr Jonathan Gerada, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Malta Public Service
AI Governance, Public Sector Strategy and Malta’s Vision
This keynote will focus on AI governance, public sector strategy and Malta’s broader AI direction. It will explore why organisations need clear governance structures, accountability, ethical oversight and strategic alignment when introducing AI into decision-making, service delivery and day-to-day operations. The session will help frame AI not only as a technological development, but as a leadership, policy and trust issue.
09:20 - 10:20Panel Discussion09:20 - 10:20Panel Discussion Governing AI Responsibility: Strategy, Trust, People and Public Value
Focus
Exploring AI beyond legal and technical governance, this panel will examine the leadership, strategic and organisational foundations needed for responsible AI adoption. The discussion will consider workforce impact, culture, investment, citizen experience and public trust, while addressing how governance decisions can shape sustainable organisational outcomes and Malta’s wider AI direction.
Core Themes
- AI governance and accountability — what boards, senior leaders and public sector decision-makers need to consider when approving and overseeing AI initiatives.
- Strategy and organisational readiness — how organisations can move from AI ambition to responsible adoption with clear purpose, structure and leadership alignment.
- Trust, transparency and public value — ensuring that AI decisions remain explainable, ethical and aligned with the interests of customers, citizens and wider society.
- Workforce impact and engagement — understanding how AI affects employees, job roles, culture, morale and internal trust.
- Leadership through change — managing resistance, uncertainty and expectations while helping people feel involved in the transformation.
- Sustainable outcomes — ensuring that AI adoption delivers measurable value without creating unnecessary complexity, reputational risk or organisational disruption.
Panel Moderator
Julian Douglas, CEO, CX Academy (UK)
Panellists
Alexiei Dingli, Director, Digital Brain
Alison Micallef, CEO, Malta Development Bank
Jonathan Gerada, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Malta Public Service
Paul Daniel Micallef, Managing Director, Mindworks Malta Ltd
10:20 - 10:45Coffee Break10:20 - 10:45Coffee Break Connect with executives, innovators, regulators and business leaders shaping Malta's AI future.
10:45 - 10:55Keynote Address10:45 - 10:55Keynote Address Prof. Alexiei Dingli, Director, Digital Brain
From AI Ambition to AI Execution
This keynote will shift the focus from strategy to execution, addressing how organisations can move from AI ambition to practical implementation. It will consider how leaders can identify the right AI opportunities, prioritise use cases, understand the true costs and benefits of AI, measure value, and avoid common implementation pitfalls. The keynote will highlight the importance of selecting the right problem to solve, preparing the organisation, and ensuring that AI delivers measurable and sustainable outcomes.
10:55 - 11:55Panel Discussion10:55 - 11:55Panel Discussion Implementing AI Successfully: Business Value, Workforce Impact and Sustainable Outcomes
Focus
Moving from AI ambition to meaningful results requires more than implementation. This panel will explore how organisations can prioritise AI investments, demonstrate business value and manage real-world challenges around cost, risk, people, culture and resistance, while addressing how leaders can respond when implementation is already underway and challenges begin to emerge.
Core themes
- From ambition to execution — how organisations can move from AI ideas and strategic intent to practical, well-managed implementation.
- Selecting the right use cases — identifying where AI can create genuine business, operational, public service or customer value.
- Measuring value and return on investment — assessing AI success through cost, productivity, service quality, risk reduction, customer experience and long-term outcomes.
- Implementation risks and common pitfalls — understanding where AI projects fail, including poor planning, weak integration, unclear ownership, unrealistic expectations or insufficient governance.
- Workforce impact and adoption — supporting employees through change, managing resistance, addressing concerns around role redesign, and building trust during implementation.
- Hidden costs of AI implementation — recognising the importance of budgeting for training, communication, change management, data readiness, integration and ongoing support.
- Leadership and cross-functional alignment — ensuring that IT, HR, finance, operations, compliance and customer-facing teams work together rather than in silos.
- Sustainable AI outcomes — ensuring that AI continues to deliver value after implementation and remains aligned with organisational purpose, culture and public or customer expectations.
Panel Moderator
Julian Douglas, CEO, CX Academy (UK)
Panellists
Alexiei Dingli, Director, Digital Brain
Alison Micallef, CEO, Malta Development Bank
Jonathan Gerada, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Malta Public Service
Paul Daniel Micallef, Managing Director, Mindworks Malta Ltd
11:55 - 12:00Closing11:55 - 12:00Closing Closing by EMCS Academy
Target Audience
Who should attend?
- CEOs and Managing Directors
- Board Members
- Chief Operating Officers
- HR Directors
- Risk & Compliance Leaders
- Digital Transformation Leaders
- Public Sector Executives
- Business Owners
Secure Your Place
Join senior leaders, policy makers and AI experts for a practical discussion on the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of AI adoption.Places are limited. Register today to reserve your seat.
| Standard Entry | €125 |