Qlik, a global leader in data integration and AI, has announced an expanded program for its upcoming Qlik Connect 2026 conference. The event, scheduled for April 13–15, 2026, in Kissimmee, Florida, will address the critical shift in the enterprise world from AI experimentation to scalable, reliable deployment.
From Experimentation to Accountability
As organizations across the globe move beyond the initial hype of generative AI, the focus is now turning to operationalizing the technology within real-world workflows. This next wave demands a robust data foundation built on governance, transparency, and control, allowing businesses to act with confidence.
“AI is moving from an interesting capability to an operational expectation, and the moment it touches real decisions, trust becomes a hard requirement, not a slogan,” said Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. “At Qlik Connect, we will focus on how organizations make their data work for AI so they can move faster while staying transparent, auditable, and in control as agentic automation becomes part of everyday work.”
Industry Luminaries Join the Lineup
To lead this crucial conversation, Qlik has added two prominent new speakers to its keynote program. Jason Del Rey, founder of The Aisle and an expert on AI’s impact on commerce, and Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of Humane Intelligence and a leading voice in ethical AI, will join the main stage.
Both will participate in a conversation with Qlik Chief Strategy Officer James Fisher, exploring the future of AI and offering strategies for data professionals. They join an impressive lineup that includes Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, and various customers sharing their experiences with building strong data strategies for AI success.
Relevance for the MENA Tech Ecosystem
For founders, VCs, and tech leaders in the MENA region, the themes of Qlik Connect 2026 are particularly timely. As nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia invest heavily to become global AI hubs, the conversation is rapidly maturing from potential to practice. The conference’s focus on governance, data quality, and building trust in AI systems provides a critical framework for MENA startups and enterprises looking to scale their AI initiatives responsibly and effectively, ensuring long-term value and mitigating risk in a fast-evolving market.
What to Expect at Qlik Connect 2026
The conference program is designed to provide attendees with actionable insights and practical knowledge. “Qlik Connect is where we pressure-test what’s next through three lenses: what’s changing in our operations, what accountability requires, and how to close the loop from insight to action in the systems we run,” said Mark Green, Head of Data, Analytics and Insight at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Attendees can expect a comprehensive agenda featuring keynotes, strategy outlooks, customer-led technical breakouts, product roadmap sessions previewing Qlik’s upcoming agentic capabilities, and hands-on workshops.
About Qlik
Qlik helps teams get more out of AI with data they can rely on and control. It delivers trusted data products, a powerful analytics engine, and AI agents. This helps teams reduce risk, keep operating costs in check, and scale AI responsibly as needs evolve. Used by 75% of the Fortune 500, Qlik supports customers worldwide. Qlik works with the systems and partners customers already use, so teams can stay flexible without lock-in.
Source: Zawya
