HBS Club of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)
Join the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC for Crossroads 2026
FROM VISION TO ACTION: Shaping
the Future of the GCC,
taking place on 12 November 2026 in the UAE.
Crossroads is the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC’s flagship leadership platform, convening government leaders, policymakers, investors, business executives, entrepreneurs, and academics to explore the ideas, trends, and opportunities shaping the region’s future.
This one-day forum will feature forward-looking discussions on Smart Cities, Trusted AI & AI Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship and Talent, bringing together diverse perspectives to address the region’s most pressing strategic priorities. Through keynote conversations, expert panels, and collaborative dialogue, participants will gain actionable insights into the forces driving the region’s next phase of growth and innovation.
Attend in person and join the conversation shaping the future of the GCC.
Future
Cities
5.8m.
Ptrojected population of Dubai by 2040, increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure, mobility and community-focused urban development.
Strategic Gap: Building cities that attract, develop and retain talent not only cities powered by technology.
Source: Dubai Urban MasterPlan 2040
AI and Agentic
AI Adoption
70%
Of UAE organisations are under pressure to demonstrate ROI from AI investments.
Strategic Gap: Moving from AI pilots to scalable, enterprise-wide transformation.
Source: Kyndryl UAE AI research
Entrepreneurship
94%
Of UAE companies are SMEs Strategic Gap:
Enabling more founders to move from business creation to regional and global scale.
Source: MBRSG & UAE Ministry of Economy, “The Future of SMEs in the UAE” Report
Talent Attraction
and Retention
39%
Of core job skills are expected to change within five years due to AI and emerging technologies. Strategic Gap: Closing the gap between the speed of technolotgical change and workforce readiness.
Source: World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025 / UAE Skills Report
CROSSROADS ALONG THE YEARS
crossroads is the flagship inaugural event of
THE HBS CLUB OF THE GCC
Highlights From Past Crossroads Editions
13+
years of regional
presence
presence
an active, year-round portfolio thinktank sessions, the majlis series, athar, shine, the entrepreneurship series & pitch day, and the impact podcast.
1800+
members across government,
industry, and finance
industry, and finance
harvard business school one of the world’s leading institutions for management education, contributing sustained faculty engagement to crossroads across preparation, the live sessions, and the year that follows.
AUDIENCE
HBS Alums
Senior Leaders Involved In AI Strategic Initiatives
Government Leaders
Academics Involved In AI Research
Speakers
Speakers to be announced
Registration
Ticket sales will open soon. Register your interest today and we’ll notify you when ticket
Conference Faculty
Chairs
Faculty Chairs to be announced.
CROSSROADS COMMITTEE
Saleh Lootah
President
Ravi Mahalingam
Board Member
Lara Sif Hrafnkelsdottir
Board Member
Sandra Salame
Partnership Lead
Shibani Suri
Strategic Advisor
REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE
Rajkiran Kanagala
Logistics Sector Lead
Nawal Qutub
Education Sector Lead
Marc Brooks
Social Community Building Sector Lead
Thaha Muhammed
Abdul Kareem
Abdul Kareem
Board Member
ExCom – Secretary
ExCom – Secretary