- “AI adoption starts with caution—but its potential spans every enterprise function.”
- “The CIO is now a business enabler, not just a technology custodian.”
At Gitex Global 2025, Prince Joseph, Group CIO of NeST Group, SFO Technologies, a seasoned leader whose association with Gitex spans 25 years shares insights on AI democratization, quantum readiness, and why CIOs must evolve from back-end technologists to front-line business enablers.
The Evolution of Gitex—and Why It Matters
Prince reflects on the transformation of Gitex over the decades. “Every year, the scale grows, and so do the challenges. There’s so much noise, so many options, and countless ways to do things. But that’s the reality of the industry we operate in. Gitex gives us clarity—it’s where you see emerging technologies before they hit mainstream adoption.”
From AI-powered platforms to quantum computing prototypes, Gitex 2025 is a showcase of what’s next. “Some solutions may not look production-ready today, but they’re paving the way for what will become standard in a year or two,” Prince notes. “You don’t get this opportunity anywhere else.”
“Resilience is the new security. It’s not about avoiding zero-day attacks, it’s about how fast you recover.”
— Prince Joseph, Group CIO, NeST Group, SFO Technologies
Strategic Priorities: What’s on the CIO’s Radar?
When asked about his priorities for the coming quarters, Prince is candid: “Every year, we rethink our architecture and technology landscape. While we respect long-term relationships, there are niche areas where new players excel. My focus is on identifying who can add real value—whether in AI, robotics, analytics, or collaboration technologies.”
He emphasizes the importance of meaningful connections over sheer volume. “It’s not about having 100 conversations. It’s about finding two or three partners who can help us build clean, planned, and scalable solutions.”
AI Adoption: A Journey of Caution and Opportunity
AI is the dominant theme at Gitex 2025, and Prince shares a pragmatic approach to its adoption. “The first step when introducing AI tools in an enterprise is to block access. You don’t give it to everyone because you don’t know what they’ll do with it. There’s a fear of sensitive information and intellectual property leaking out.”
Gradually, NeST Group is democratizing AI access with filters and governance frameworks. “We start with a limited set of users and controlled environments. Then we expand as we identify clear use cases—supply chain intelligence, predictive analytics, customer service, machine data management, and digital twins. These are areas where AI can deliver measurable impact.”
Quantum Computing: Watching the Horizon
Quantum computing is another buzzword at Gitex, but Prince tempers expectations. “We’re not adopting quantum in the next 3–6 months. But when it becomes viable, we want to be ready—with homework done, partners identified, and use cases mapped.”
He sees quantum as a long-term play, but one that enterprises cannot ignore. “It’s about preparedness. When the shift happens, you don’t want to start from zero.”
Cybersecurity: From Prevention to Resilience
Prince’s perspective on cybersecurity is refreshingly realistic. “The attack surface is changing. Threats are more intelligent, and traditional defenses aren’t enough. You can’t stop everything—zero-day attacks will happen. The question is: how quickly can you recover?”
Resilience, he argues, is the new security. “We need solutions that minimize downtime and enable business continuity. That’s my biggest focus—building a posture where recovery is fast and seamless.”
The CIO’s Role: From Back-End Technologist to Business Enabler
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is Prince’s view on the evolving CIO role. “When I started, it was all about infrastructure and security—technical back-end work. Today, if a customer wants to engage with us, they meet me first. They want to know our digital practices, certifications, cybersecurity posture, and how we integrate operations.”
The CIO is now a strategic business driver, not just a technology custodian. “It’s no longer about asking for budgets. Business leaders come to us and say, ‘We need this to close a deal—how do we make it happen?’ The justification is simpler because it’s tied directly to revenue and customer impact.”
Looking Ahead: The Digital Thread
Prince concludes with a vision for the future: “The CIO role has moved beyond digital transformation—it’s about creating a digital thread that connects every part of the business. AI, quantum, cybersecurity—they’re all pieces of a bigger puzzle. Our job is to make sure those pieces fit seamlessly.”
