Middle East businesses face the do-or-die moment for digital disruption, one of the world’s top tech experts said at the Gitex Technology Week’s conference kick-off today.

“Middle East businesses will soon reach the tipping point in disrupting themselves to create new business models,” said Mike Sutcliff, group chief executive of Accenture Digital, on the sidelines of his joint keynote address with Paul Daugherty, CTO of Accenture.

Worldwide, digital transformation could boost economic output by $2 trillion by 2020, with emerging markets accelerating sharply, according to a recent Accenture report.

“Dubai and the UAE are implementing innovation as they adopt digital technologies to create new customer journeys. They are also working to position themselves for success in the Digital Economy. To succeed, organisations will need to work with trusted partners in the ecosystem supporting specific industries to create change at scale,” added Sutcliff.

The Gitex Vertical Days programme outlines the best practices and businesses cases across the fastest-digitising verticals, with 230 speakers in 65 sessions and 130 conference hours.

Upcoming themed days include Digital Marketing and Healthcare Monday, Finance and Intelligent Cities Tuesday, Retail and Education Wednesday, and Energy Thursday. Leading experts will include Rafael Grossmann, the first surgeon to use Google Glass during live surgery; Keith Kaplan, CEO of The Tesla Foundation; and Silcon Valley futurist Robert Scoble.

Tomorrow (October 17), Troy Carter, Global Head of Creative Services for Spotify, will headline the Gitex Global Startup Movement’s Out-Talk Conference opening. Carter will relate personal experiences going from leafleting to a million-dollar business managing Lady Gaga. - TradeArabia News Service