Agenda 2025
Curious about how autonomous technology is transforming the way we move, work, and live? Hear directly from the pioneers shaping the future of mobility. The Self Drive Congress brings together 600+ global experts across autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, AI, and mobility services. Over two dynamic days and multiple content stages, discover the breakthroughs, debates, and bold visions defining the next era of transport.
- Main Stage
- Seminar Hall 1
- Seminar Hall 2
- Day 124Sep2025
- Day 225Sep2025
Access to Main Stage sessions is reserved exclusively for paying delegates with a valid conference pass.
8:00 am
Registration & Networking
9:00 am
WORKSHOPS
Workshop 1: Building Autonomous Driving Ability: Lessons from Grand Prix Racing
Workshops are included as part of the premium delegate pass and will take place in Seminar Hall 1.
Speakers
Paul SpenceFormer Product Director and Chief Technologist, McLaren Applied
Barbara CardilliFounder & CEO, LAbCARDI
Workshop 2: User-Centric Design: Enhancing the Passenger Experience in Multimodal Transport
Workshops are included as part of the premium delegate pass and will take place in Seminar Hall 2.
Speakers
Shawn SanfordPresident & CEO, Feastech Data Corp 
Tony TavaresExecutive Director, Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC)
Andy PalanisamyCEO, Criativo
10:00 am
FREE TIME
10:30 am
MORNING NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK
12:00 pm
Welcome Address & Opening Remarks
Opening Ceremony & Dubai World Challenge for Self Driving Transport Awards
Speakers
Sol RashidiWorld’s First Chief AI Officer
12:30 pm
GLOBAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Smart Mobility and Clean Energy: Shaping Dubai's Sustainable Future
Speakers
H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al TayerDEWA, MD & CEO
12:45 pm
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Building Ecosystems for Smarter, Greener Transport
Speakers
HE Dr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al KhalifaMinister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain
1:00 pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
1:45 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Steering the Future: Dubai’s Path to Autonomous Taxi Deployment
Speakers
Dr. Hua ZhongSenior Vice President of Engineering, WeRide
Ann ShiVice President, Pony.ai
Ammar AlbreikiChief Operations Officer, Dubai Taxi Company
Mohamad JardanehHead of Autonomous Mobility, ME, Uber
Moderator
Dr. Ismail ZohdyExpert - Future and Innovative Mobility, Public Transport Agency, Roads and Transport Authority
2:30 pm
Robotaxi: Best Practices for Building Dubai's Future Smart Mobility
Speakers
Liang ZhangManaging Director of EMEA, Baidu Apollo
2:45 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Smart Horizons: AI & Infrastructure Connectivity for the Cities of Tomorrow
Speakers
Scott NashSenior Director Automotive Business Development
Andres CastrillonSenior Director of Government Affairs, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Dr. Georges AoudeDerq, CEO and Co-Founder
Dr Max ClarkSenior Vice President, EMEA CTO & Sector Manager, Parsons
Moderator
Steve BellChief Analyst - Automotive Connectivity, Omdia Automotive
3:30 pm
PANEL: QuickFire & CrossTalk
Seamless Journeys – The Future of Multimodal Transport
Speakers
Sebastian LasekSVP Mobility System, Volkswagen AG
Ken XieGlobal Market Director, Orcauboat & Orca-APAS
Anthony El-KhouryUAE General Manager, Joby Aviation
Scarlett LiuDirector of Europe Operations, Pix Moving
Moderator
Alexander NaseManaging Director, FEV Consulting
4:15 pm
CLOSING KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Autonomous Transport: Lessons from 20 Years of Progress
Speakers
Steven ShladoverPioneer in Autonomous Transportation
8:00 am
REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
9:00 am
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Breakout Session 1: The User Journey in Autonomous transport
Breakout Sessions are included as part of the premium delegate pass and will take place in Seminar Hall 1.
Speakers
Anya ErnestPresident of the Board, Women in Tech – Gothenburg
Scott LyonsCommercial & Strategic Partnerships, Connect & Engage, Ford Integrated Services, Ford Motor Company
Ahmed M'hiriCEO, Free2move
Moderator
Lukas NeckermannManaging Director, Neckermann
Breakout Session 2: AV Technology and AI : The intersection of disruptive Innovations
Breakout Sessions are included as part of the premium delegate pass and will take place in Seminar Hall 2.
Speakers
Chengyin YuanCEO National New Energy Vehicle, Technology Innovation Center
Shafiq UrréhmanAI Emerging Technologies Leader, Zeekr Technology
Prof. Amair SaleemManaging Director, Glydways
Moderator
Maite BezerraPrincipal Analyst, Software-Defined Vehicles, Omdia
10:15 am
GLOBAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
From Vision to Reality: How manufacturers will achieve full Autonomy
Speakers
Augustin FriedelAssociated Partner, MHP – A Porsche Company
11:00 am
MORNING NETWORKING COFFEE
11:30 am
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Future of Autonomous Logistics
Speakers
Dr Xuchen ZhangCofounder and Head of Hardware, Zelos
Paul NewmanCo-Founder and CTO, Oxa
Moderator
Andy GillFounder and COO, Simulytic
12:00 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
How Cars Are Learning to Drive - Paving the way with advanced driving assistance
Speakers
Hossam YahiaCEO, Brightdrive
Salman MoghimiCEO, Peyk
Amy LucaChief Marketing Officer, Tensor
Moderator
- Barbara CardilliFounder & CEO, LAbCARDI
12:45 pm
FIRESIDE CHAT
Building Trust: How Governance Accelerates Trust In Autonomous Transport
Speakers
Aravind KailasAdvanced Tech Policy Director, Volvo Group North America
Tim DawkinsVice President, Head of Safety & Security, Einride Autonomous Technologies
Dr Lobna KarouiInsights & AI Strategist - CIAIO - Global Insights & AI Leader, Stellantis
Dr. Ahmad AbbadiAutomated Driving System Consultant
Moderator
Joseph SalemPartner, Travel & Transportation Practice, Arthur D. Little
1:30 pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
2:30 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Beyond the Stadium: North America’s Vision for Seamless 2026 World Cup Mobility
Speakers
Tanya ColeMinister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Ana Sofía Barba JiménezEmbassy of Mexico in UAE
Moderator
Sam HassounPresident & CEO, Global Leadership Alliance (GLA)
3:15 pm
CLOSING KEYNOTE ADDRESS & CLOSING CEREMONY
Integrating Nature and Technology in Smart City Transport Design
Speakers
Daan RoosegaardeInnovator and Founder, Studio Roosegaarde
Announcing the 2027 Dubai world challenge for self-driving transport
4:15 pm
END OF CONFERENCE
KEY THEMES
WE’RE DIVING INTO THE BIG IDEAS DRIVING AUTONOMOUS TECH
AI & INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIONS
GOVERNANCE, POLICY & REGULATIONS
Innovative Partnerships & Business Models
Public Trust & Human Adoption
AI & INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIONS
GOVERNANCE, POLICY & REGULATIONS
AI & INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIONS
GOVERNANCE, POLICY & REGULATIONS
Innovative Partnerships & Business Models
Public Trust & Human Adoption
AI & INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIONS
