Khalil Abed is the Managing Director of Cortec Middle East and a Board Director of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). With 20 years of experience in asset preservation, corrosion management, and business strategy, he has led initiatives to drive innovation and efficiency in the industry. Khalil is passionate about leveraging AI and digital transformation to enhance materials protection and asset reliability. He actively contributes to global industry standards, knowledge sharing, and professional development. As chair of the Smart Industry: Practical Applications of AI & Machine Learning session, he aims to foster discussions on real-world AI applications that optimize industrial operations.