AGENDA
09.15
Panel Discussion: Technology Business Partnering to Drive Business Growth
In a world where everything moves very rapidly, the role of IT and CIO/CTO naturally needs to evolve and develop into technology business partners. IT is now required to champion innovation, advance enterprise business goals and drive enterprise transformation for business growth, efficiency and competitive advantage.
- How the role of IT is changing for the better
- Bridging the divide between business and IT
- Driving a transformative mindset within IT function
- Infusing business acumen into IT function to channel innovation
- Best practices in cultivating business-centric IT
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10.15
Panel Discussion: Innovation vs. Keeping the Lights On
The days of just keeping the lights on are gone for today’s IT leaders. Most IT leaders are now under pressure to help the business to drive business changes and propel growth with continuous innovation.
As the epicenter of modern enterprise, CIO/CTO’s role in championing innovation today is often iterated as efforts to help business increase revenue, tap new markets, increase customer engagement or grow new product lines. How should CIOs/CTOs lead innovations that don’t impact current business operations thus overshadow new innovations?
- What to prioritise in 2026?
- Managing the continuous demand for innovation
- Striking the right balance between innovation and operational excellence
- Engaging with ecosystem partners to deliver the most value
- Driving sustainable innovation while maintaining critical enterprise service continuity
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11.40
Panel Discussion: The Reality Check of GenAI Adoption
2024 saw immense growth of Generative AI (GenAI) adoption where the technology fundamentally changed how businesses get done. However, Gartner analysts predict that at least 30% of generative AI (GenAI) projects will be abandoned after proof of concept by the end of 2025, due to poor data quality, inadequate risk controls, escalating costs or unclear business value.
- Expectations vs. reality
- Assessing the maturity of GenAI model and how to accelerate it
- Ensuring GenAI delivers its promises
- Realising measurable business value for GenAI
- Framework for ethical GenAI development and deployment
14.40
Fireside Chat: IT Cost Optimisation to Meet Business Transformation Demands
According to Forrester, while most technology executives expect to increase their IT budgets in 2026, it might not be enough to keep up with inflation. The rising costs from AI and cloud spends, security frameworks, supply chains and tech talents will expect CIOs to manage technology investments more carefully to avoid redundancy.
- Growth vs. inflation – budgeting for IT in 2026
- Budgeting for cloud, non-cloud investments, software and technical staff amid increased demand for AI modernisation
- Optimising cloud use and rein in cost
- How to minimise IT operation and fixed costs
- Innovative sourcing and vendor management to reduce IT spend
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C-ENGAGE CONVENTION PLENARY
15.30
Conference Chairperson’s Welcome Remarks
15.35
C-Suite Keynote: Building a Digital-Ready Organisational Culture for Seamless Transformation
A recent Gartner survey reveals that only 48% of digital initiatives meet or exceed their business outcome targets. To thrive in today's digital revolution, business leaders must understand the symbiosis of organisational culture and the successful implementation of digital initiatives. This session examines how business leaders can cultivate a culture that embraces digital tools, encourages continuous learning, and fosters collaboration.
- Top digital transformation considerations for organisational growth and adaptability in 2026
- Fostering a digital-first mindset across the organisation
- Leadership's role in shaping organisational mindset
- Measuring and sustaining digital readiness
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16.00
C-Suite Panel Discussion: AI Action Plans for 2026
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat shared a preview of Singapore’s plans for research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) by 2030 and said both initiatives on large-scale applied AI push, and cross-sector research will be among wider efforts, including major investments, to secure Singapore’s future amid quickening economic and geopolitical shifts.
With Singapore’s plans in pushing on with applying artificial intelligence (AI) on a large scale in key sectors, as well as launch major research and development (R&D) programmes that cut across different fields in an effort to drive economic growth that creates good jobs, how should business leaders in Singapore redefine their strategy in their AI roadmap for the coming years?
- Practical lessons of AI implementation: What works and doesn't
- Bridging the gap between Open vs. Closed AI models
- Budgeting for AI: Siloed projects or big bang
- Deploying AI as a defence and offence strategy for business resilience
- Decoding AI opportunities for business in 2026
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16.35
C-Suite Fireside Chat: Preparing and Winning the AI Talent Wars
Approximately 80% of AI talent leave companies because they either want a more interesting position or don't see opportunities for career advancement; however, BCG research shows that only 10% of new roles are filled by existing staff. With the increasing demands for AI expertise, this session explores the struggles, strategies, and best practices in attracting and retaining top talents in the age of AI and data.
- The evolution of tech capabilities and talent demands in Asia
- Getting ahead of the AI talent crunch in 2026
- Maintaining and managing AI talent pipelines
- Making your own AI talents: Training and development pathways
Interviewer:
17.00
Closing Panel Discussion: Trade Tariffs as Catalysts for Digital Reinvention
U.S. tariffs will squeeze margins for Singapore’s firms reliant on trans-Pacific trade. CFOs must weigh profitability against investments in automation and AI and digitalisation to streamline costs. CIOs and CTOs will drive this shift, but CISOs face heightened risks: digitized workflows expose vulnerabilities to state-sponsored cyberattacks or ransomware. COOs will need to make sure that the company can handle the impact of tariffs on its operations and bottom line. Meanwhile, Chief Digital Officers must justify ROI on tech bets while ensuring agility—resilience now hinges on scalable digital infrastructure. How can C-Suite successfully walk the tariffs tightropes in 2026?
- Beyond the trade policy: Implications of global tariffs on C-Suite’s top priorities and agendas in 2026
- The need of better C-Suite’s collaboration to respond the current global fragility
- Making cost-effective decisions amidst economic and geopolitical uncertainties
- Ensuring AI and digital investments deliver as tariffs bite into margins
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