BEIRUT (Enmaeya News) — The opening day of the PowerX Summit 2025 set the stage for Lebanon's bold ambitions in entrepreneurship and digital transformation, with industry leaders and policymakers highlighting pathways to sustainable growth and innovation. Organized by Berytech and co-funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, Sweden, German Cooperation (Deutsche Zusammenarbeit), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF's Generation of Innovation Leaders (جيل), the event drew a diverse crowd of thought leaders to Beirut Hall, Horsh Tabet.
Exclusive Insights from the Opening Ceremony
The summit opened with a series of keynote addresses that underscored the urgency of Lebanon's economic revival through technology and local innovation. Mr. Maroun Chammas, Chairman and CEO of Berytech, opened the summit by underscoring Lebanon’s potential as a regional tech hub. He highlighted Berytech's ongoing initiatives to support local startups and stressed the importance of public-private partnerships as the backbone for sustainable innovation. Chammas also called for a streamlined regulatory environment to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs, reflecting on Berytech’s recent successes in tech incubation and venture acceleration.
Mrs. Amal Obeid, Chief of the Adolescent & Youth Programme at UNICEF, spoke about the urgency of empowering Lebanon's youth through digital literacy and technology-driven education. She emphasized that Lebanon's demographic advantage is its youth, urging stakeholders to invest in tech skills that align with global market demands. Obeid also detailed UNICEF's recent programs aimed at bridging the digital gap for underserved communities.
Ms. Sylvia Deepen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, underscored the importance of financial reforms for restoring confidence in Lebanon's banking sector. She pointed to recent developments, including the amendment of the banking secrecy law, as a step towards transparency and accountability. Deepen also mentioned Lebanon's participation in the recent World Bank-IMF meetings as a promising signal of commitment to reform. She emphasized that economic stability could be further supported through investments in green technology and renewable energy projects.
H.E. Ms. Sandra De Waele, Head of the European Union's Delegation to Lebanon, highlighted the EU's commitment to supporting Lebanon's sustainable development through policy reforms and capacity building. She strongly encouraged the government and parliament to implement reforms and restructuring that would create an enabling environment for investments and facilitate access to finance for critical sectors. De Waele also affirmed that 'Lebanon is on the path to recovery, and the EU is ready to support this journey,' stressing that sustainable growth is tied to enhanced governance and market competitiveness.
Keynote Spotlight: The Future of AI and Digital Governance
The event’s keynote speech was delivered by Mr. Ziad-Alexandre Hayek, Head of Global Strategic Alliances at HyperCycle AI, who shared his vision for Lebanon’s integration into the digital economy. Hayek opened his address with a powerful statement: 'We are not just witnessing change; we are living through a revolution—an AI revolution. AI isn’t just another upgrade; it is a fundamental transformation. Redefining what it means to be human in the digital age. In Lebanon, this is not an opportunity we can afford to miss.'
Hayek highlighted that in this revolution, the winners will not only be those with the largest capital reserves, but those who harness AI to accelerate discovery and reimagine how value is created. 'What once took years now happens in hours. We will soon see the first company of one person becoming a billionaire. In Lebanon, this can be the hour of our true liberation,' he asserted.
He further emphasized that AI is not just a feature on a roadmap; it is the roadmap itself, touching all sectors. 'The question is not whether to implement AI but how deeply you will implement it into everything you do,' he explained.
Hayek gave striking examples, saying, 'ChatGPT can write code better than anyone on earth. Gemini can define your company business strategy and launch business before the sun sets today.' He urged the audience to view AI not as just another consumer app, stating that 'ChatGPT is part of AI; it is not AI fully. AI is reshaping everything—from data centers to the phones in our hands.' He called for dismantling hierarchical structures that limit innovation and embracing fluid boundaries between human creativity and machine intelligence.
Looking ahead, Hayek presented a vision for Lebanon's potential in this global transformation, emphasizing the rise of decentralized AI. 'AI is no longer just locked in data centers; it is everywhere, enabling real-life decision-making without cloud connectivity,' he stated, hinting at HyperCycle's ambitions to pioneer the 'Internet of AI'—a decentralized ecosystem where AIs transact, collaborate, and create emerging capabilities beyond what centralized systems can achieve.
As a closing call to action, Hayek outlined four transformative commitments for Lebanon's future in AI: (1) Get educated about AI and assess where you stand in the revolution; (2) Build bridges and cross boundaries; (3) Invest in human potential through tech-savvy employees, new school curriculums, and teacher training; and (4) Embrace experimentation wholeheartedly—try, fail, adapt, and try again. 'The AI revolution isn’t approaching the horizon; it is here now, watching over us,' Hayek concluded, reminding the audience of Lebanon's legacy of turning scarcity into opportunity. 'The world is watching, the future is waiting.'
Minister of Industry Speech
The Minister of Industry delivered a forward-looking speech following Mr. Hayek's keynote, emphasizing the transformative potential of innovation in Lebanon's industrial landscape. 'PowerX is more than a summit; it is a statement that Lebanon still believes in its capacity to invest, adapt, and foster,' he stated, underscoring Lebanon's resilient spirit.
He called for embracing a new model of industrial growth, highlighting the role of AI, big data, smart manufacturing, and digital supply chains to remodel Lebanon's industrial sector—not as it was, but as it should be: export-oriented and sustainable. The Minister outlined his vision for the Ministry of Industry, urging the digitization of production, the adoption of smart tools, and automation to boost productivity.
He also discussed key initiatives launched in collaboration with UNDP, including the digitalization of the agri-food sector. He announced the 'MADE BY LEBANON for Lebanon' campaign, designed with strict guidelines to enhance export quality and standards, aiming to position Lebanese products on the global stage.
The Minister stressed the need to promote a knowledge-based economy and shift towards renewable energy resources to minimize waste. He detailed frameworks for solar energy and circular economy practices that are set to modernize Lebanon's approach to industrialization. Additionally, he called for stronger collaborations between the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally, to drive sustainable growth.
In a lighter moment, he revealed that his speech was generated by ChatGPT and fine-tuned to align with his vision for Lebanon's industrial future, sparking both curiosity and optimism among the audience.
Fireside Chat: Building a Tech Nation
The Fireside Chat, titled Building a Tech Nation, moderated by Mrs. Lara El Khoury, Programs Director at Berytech, brought forth candid discussions on Lebanon’s potential in global tech markets. Mr. Maroun Chammas and Mr. Fadi Daou, CEO of Multilane, shared strategic insights into the infrastructure gaps that need addressing to make Lebanon competitive. Daou emphasized the necessity for streamlined regulations, while Chammas highlighted the role of diaspora engagement in scaling local startups.
Panel Discussions: Macro Challenges and Pathways to Scaling Innovation & Local Production
Panel sessions throughout the day centered on scaling innovation and boosting local production. The panel on Navigating Macro Challenges—moderated by Mr. Nicolas Farhat, Deputy General Manager at Berytech—featured Dr. Ahmed Huzzayin of Chemonics Egypt, Mr. Ramzi Farah of Razor Capital, Mr. Pierre Baaklini of Lebanon Waste Management, and Dr. Salma Bougarani of Green Watech. Discussions revolved around sustainable industrial growth, circular economies, and leveraging technology to optimize resource management.
In the afternoon, the Bridging the Enabling Environment Gap panel, moderated by Mr. Jawad Bou Ghanem of the WFP, dissected Lebanon’s export barriers and explored strategies to enhance local production. Mrs. Lena Dargham of LIBNOR advocated for standardization in production to meet international benchmarks, while Ms. Rima Saad Azar of Sea Sky Services sarl highlighted logistical bottlenecks affecting export competitiveness.
Looking Ahead: Enmaeya's Exclusive Coverage Continues
Day 1 of the PowerX Summit set the tone for transformative discussions that aim to redefine Lebanon's economic landscape. Enmaeya will continue its exclusive live coverage throughout the event, bringing you the key insights and strategies driving innovation in Lebanon and beyond.
Stay tuned for more as PowerX Summit 2025 unfolds.
