{"id":77442,"date":"2026-02-09T08:08:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/?page_id=77442"},"modified":"2026-02-09T08:08:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:08:06","slug":"faisal-al-bannai","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/faisal-al-bannai\/","title":{"rendered":"Faisal Al Bannai"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container white-container max-width-1100 hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-center\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1 list-year\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><p>The Middle East\u2019s<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 main-list-name\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\">Top Tech Leaders in Government<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><style>\n.custom_ads{\n   display:none !important;\n}\n.sector_size p {\n    font-size: 70px !important;\n    line-height: 50px !important;\n    font-family: Graphik-Semibold !important;\n    color: black 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!important;\n}\n\n\n<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 50px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 20px;padding-right : 10px;padding-left : 10px;}}<\/style><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container max-width-1140 list_container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: #132030;background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column list_image\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3 list_image\">    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06115728\/01_Faisal-Al-Bannai.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>    \n  \n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:33.333333333333% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 20px !important;padding-right : 20px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 20px !important;padding-left : 20px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0%;margin-left : 0%;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one list_title\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><h1 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;color:#d00436;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\n    .custom_line_height{\n      line-height: 40px !important;\n    }\n  }\n\n<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"title-heading-left custom_line_height\" style=\"margin:0;color:#d00436;\"><span class=\"custom_rank\">3. <\/span><span class=\"list_entry_title\">Faisal Al Bannai<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n<\/h1><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Entity: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Designation: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">Secretary-General <\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Country: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">U.A.E.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Year of Establishment: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">2020<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\" style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.7;letter-spacing:0.01em !Important;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  ._22Ymv{\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    margin-top: 10px;\n  }\n  \n<\/style>\n<div class=\"_22Ymv\">\n<p>Al Bannai has served as secretary general of the ATRC since its launch in 2020, overseeing a portfolio that includes three operational arms: the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), ASPIRE, and VentureOne. In September 2025, TII partnered with NVIDIA to launch the Middle East\u2019s first joint AI and robotics lab. In January 2026, TII also launched Falcon-H1 Arabic, an Arabic AI model built on a hybrid MambaTransformer architecture. Al Bannai is also adviser to the U.A.E. President for strategic research and advanced technology affairs, with the rank of minister, and chairs EDGE Group, among other roles.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\">  <style type=\"text\/css\">\n    .nav_link, .nav_link:hover {\n      color: #D00436 !important;\n      font-size: 16px;\n      margin: 0 10px;\n    }\n    .nav_link i {\n        font-size: 13px;\n    }\n    .nav_link{\n      overflow: hidden;\n      white-space: nowrap;\n    }\n    @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {\n      .Next{\n        text-align: right;\n      }\n      .previous{\n        text-align: left;\n      }\n    }\n  <\/style>\n  <div class=\"row\">\n    <div class=\"navigation\">\n      <div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-12\">\n                    <div class=\"previous\">\n            \n            <a class=\"nav_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/abdullah-bin-sharaf-alghamdi\/\" title=\"Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi\">\n              <i class=\"fa fa-chevron-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\" node-item=\"165\"><\/i>\n              Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi<\/a>\n\n            <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n      <div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-12\">\n                  <div class=\"Next\">\n          <a class=\"nav_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/ahmed-elzaher\/\" title=\"Ahmed Elzaher\">Ahmed Elzaher          <i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" node-item=\"156\"><\/i>\n            \n          <\/a>\n          \n          <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:66.666666666667% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 20px !important;padding-right : 20px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 20px !important;padding-left : 20px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0%;margin-left : 0%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-2 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-view-cart):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-2 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-view-cart):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover:before, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-2 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-view-cart):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover:after {color: #000000;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-2 .pagination a.inactive:hover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-2 .fusion-filters .fusion-filter.fusion-active a {border-color: #000000;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-2 .pagination .current {border-color: #000000; 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In September 2025, TII partnered with NVIDIA to launch the Middle East\u2019s first joint AI and robotics lab. In January 2026, TII also launched Falcon-H1 Arabic, an Arabic AI model built on a hybrid MambaTransformer architecture. Al Bannai is also adviser to the U.A.E. President for strategic research and advanced technology affairs, with the rank of minister, and chairs EDGE Group, among other roles.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/faisal-al-bannai\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Faisal Al Bannai\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Al Bannai has served as secretary general of the ATRC since its launch in 2020, overseeing a portfolio that includes three operational arms: the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), ASPIRE, and VentureOne. In September 2025, TII partnered with NVIDIA to launch the Middle East\u2019s first joint AI and robotics lab. In January 2026, TII also launched Falcon-H1 Arabic, an Arabic AI model built on a hybrid MambaTransformer architecture. Al Bannai is also adviser to the U.A.E. 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