The Third Digital Youth Leaders International Forum, organized by Rethinking Lebanon in partnership with Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ), concluded under the theme “The Cedar Reboots”, symbolizing Lebanon’s gradual return to the global digital map. The event highlighted emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity—and their accelerating impact on health, media, education, and the economy.
This year’s edition followed the remarkable success of the 2023 and 2024 forums, reaffirming its role as a leading digital platform bringing together a distinguished selection of international experts and speakers from prestigious universities, research centers, and multinational technology firms. The forum also witnessed broad youth participation from Lebanon and around the world.
The conference was held with the special support and presence of representatives from the Lebanese Armed Forces and the security agencies, including envoys from the Army Commander, the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, the Director General of General Security, and the Director General of State Security. It also welcomed university presidents, members of parliament and ministers, ambassadors, academics, entrepreneurs, and a large student and youth audience.
The forum took place at Jean Ducruet Hall – Faculty of Science and Technology (CST) Campus, in Mar Roukoz – Dekwaneh, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., gathering over a thousand attendees in person and thousands more virtually via live streaming on Zoom and an innovative Metaverse interactive experience, offering participants a fully immersive digital environment.
The opening session featured speeches by Dr. Jihad El Hokayem, President of Rethinking Lebanon; Dr. Wassim Raphael, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at USJ; and Father Salah Abou Jaoude, S.J., Vice President of the University.
The program began with a keynote speech by Joe Kawkabani, former CEO of OSN Group, titled “Leadership in the Age of Media Transformation and Beyond.” The first panel discussion, “The Moving Future: Robotics and Innovation,” followed, featuring Dr. Samer Abdallah, Anthony Rizk, Amal Abdallah, and Fadi Daou from KPMG, BMW Group, SABA IP, and Multilane. The panel explored industrial innovation and intellectual property protection in the era of artificial intelligence, moderated by Dr. Imad El Haj, Associate Dean at the Faculty of Engineering, American University of Beirut (AUB).
Adel Afiouni, former Minister of State for Investment and Technology, then delivered a keynote titled “From Technology Users to Creators: Empowering the Digital Generation.” This was followed by the second panel, “Cybersecurity and FinTech: Building and Scaling Startups,” with Tony Fghali, Dr. Bijan Azad, George Salloum, and Dr. Wissam Sammour representing Potech, AUB, I-Stay, and 42 Beirut. The discussion tackled the future of FinTech and innovation, moderated by Dr. Jenan Sayah.
In the afternoon, the third panel, “The AI Revolution in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities,” addressed the future of technology in medicine and health services. Participants included Dr. Bakhos Tannou, Zeenat Patrawala Anthony Safier, and Dr. Joy Hayek, representing Harvard University, AstraZeneca, Google AI/Health and Silicon Valley, Mersaco, and USJ Faculty of Dentistry. The session was moderated by Dr. Georges Juvelikian.
Then, Brigadier General Georges Sakr, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Planning at the Lebanese Army, delivered a keynote speech titled “The Future of Armies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
The fourth panel, “AI and the Future of Work,” featured Dr. Frederico Lima from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Ibrahim Jamali, World Bank Advisor and AUB Professor, Dr. Joe Tekli from LAU and Inmind Academy, and Jamil Ghaith, CEO of Mobile Arts. The discussion focused on adapting education and labor to digital transformation, moderated by Elie Hajjar.
The final keynote of the day was delivered by producer and innovator Walid Nassif, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Art: Redefining Creativity.”
The forum also included six parallel technical workshops covering:
- Turning Ideas into Assets: Protecting Intellectual Property in the Digital Age – led by Amal Abdallah
- Time Series Forecasting with Artificial Intelligence – led by Thomas Abdel Karim
- AI-Enhanced Healthcare Solutions: From Data to Patient – led by Anthony Safier
- The Future of Work in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities – led by Zeenat Batrawala
- Mental Health in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – led by former Miss Lebanon and psychologist Nada Koussa
- Creative Media in the AI Era – led by Walid Nassif
The forum was hosted and presented by media personality and former Miss Lebanon Rahaf Abdallah.
The organizers affirmed that the forum has become an annual leading platform for digital dialogue and youth innovation, embodying Rethinking Lebanon’s vision of making the knowledge and technology economy a key driver of Lebanon’s socio-economic revival and reinforcing the role of youth in shaping a brighter digital and human future.
