Future of Development With GenAI

Joel Martin is the executive research leader and chief of staff for enabling tech research on software development and the TMT industry practice for HFS Research.

He has nearly three decades of experience as an analyst, consultant, software product manager, and marketing professional. He is driven by a curious mind that has followed, analyzed, consulted, and implemented solutions from data networking to large ERP projects.

Joel is passionate about helping enterprises understand that applications are evolving to meet business needs rather than being a magical technology. Having worked as a marketing, product management, and business leader, he’s able to help clients take a new approach to the challenges they are facing. As one senior vice president at a global bank recently said, “[Joel provided] great content, thoughtful and just the right amount of time. [Our leadership team] appreciated [his] looking at software from a different perspective – [it] got them to thinking different themselves.”

Joel earned a degree in management information systems from the University of Houston and has been living and working internationally since 1997. He currently resides in Ottawa, Canada. Before HFS, Joel worked for leading companies, including Microsoft (software), TechInsights (semiconductor), Crypto4A (security), and ITRG and IDC (analyst firms), where he developed product, consulting, and marketing strategies.

Maz Hussain heads the Digital Lighthouse, the Centre of Excellence for data analytics, AI and emerging technologies. As part of this, he is responsible for the activities in the Insights Center in Riyadh. He is focused on digital value creation and helps enterprises design answers to big problems and integrates people across multi-disciplinary teams to transform business value. Before coming to Saudi Arabia, he led the Digital Innovation practice for KPMG in the UK. He brings a total of 20 years’ industry experience, out of which the last 10 have been focused on digital and innovation. His expertise ranges from creating a compelling vision, developing strategy and high-impact solutions to securing stakeholder buy-in and improving operational effectiveness. He is curious in understanding how the data that we collect can accelerate decision making abilities and drive increased business performance in a disrupted digital economy.

Mushtaq Khan is an accomplished technology leader with over 24 years of global experience driving digital transformation, AI-driven automation, and industrial innovation. Holding a Master’s in Computer Science with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence, he brings a wealth of expertise in intelligent automation, empowering businesses to solve complex challenges and unlock new growth opportunities.

Having worked across North America and the Middle East, Mushtaq is a seasoned expert in aligning cutting-edge technologies with business strategy to drive efficiency, scalability, and competitive advantage. His extensive skill set spans GenAI, ML, Data Science, Industry 4.0, MES, SCADA, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Infor LN), IT/OT integration, Financial Systems, and much more.

Mushtaq has successfully led enterprise technology transformations in a wide range of industries, including utilities, manufacturing, banking, petrochemicals, healthcare, and retail, delivering tangible improvements in productivity, resilience, and operational efficiency. His leadership consistently results in cost optimization, enhanced decision-making, and a focus on long-term sustainable growth.

Mushtaq is committed to leveraging AI and intelligent automation to transform industries, foster business excellence, and create impactful change across the digital landscape.