AI Strategy
Designing enterprise AI systems to automate processes, enhance decision-making, and build sustainable competitive advantage.
MMXXVI · The Liquid Edition
ALSIDDIQ
M. Abdullah
✦
Strategic program & portfolio leader — seventeen years across banking, financial services, and IT governance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Demand & Delivery Manager · EMKAN · PMO Authority
12K+
LinkedIn Followers
17+
Years Experience
MSc
Artificial Intelligence
PhD
Candidate · MBA
❦ Royal Decree
12K+
LinkedIn Followers
17+
Years in Technology
3
Scientific Publications
50+
Projects Delivered
Where I've delivered
EMKANAl Rajhi BankTanfeethEtesal
A Note On Practice
An AI-Minded Project Leader
A strategic Program & Portfolio leader specializing in Islamic digital-transformation programs — turning PMOs from reporting units into enterprise value engines.
I lead large-scale transformation by implementing governance-driven execution systems, aligning business strategy with technology platforms, and building operating models that convert vision into scalable, measurable results.
My focus is not project delivery as an activity, but transformation delivery as a system — where strategy becomes structure, structure becomes execution, and execution becomes enterprise impact.
Education & Credentials
i.
PhD — Data Science & Artificial IntelligenceCandidate · Islamic University of Minnesota · 2026–2028
ii.
MSc — Artificial IntelligenceMidocean University · 2025
iii.
MBA — Business AdministrationHorizons University · 2025
iv.
BSc — Computer Science & ITSikkim Manipal University · 2003–2006
Certifications
✦PMI PMO Certified Professional (PMI-PMOCP)™✦Scrum Master (Cert Prep)✦Agile Project Management with Jira Cloud✦Leveraging Generative AI for Project Management✦Mindfulness for Project Managers
“
Effective technology leadership combines strategic vision with precise execution.
— Alsiddiq M. Abdullah
The Disciplines
Mastery, refracted
Project Management & PMO
Leading PMO offices and applying Agile and PMP methodologies for efficient, high-quality project delivery.
IT Governance
COBIT & ITIL frameworks, portfolio management, regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.
Digital Banking
Leading digital banking initiatives and transforming traditional operations into intelligent, scalable platforms.
Data Science & Analytics
Machine learning models and financial fraud detection systems with documented field research experience.
Operational Transformation
End-to-end process redesign and efficiency improvement through business automation and modern technologies — from diagnosis through execution and measurement.
Selected Mandates
Impact, delivered
4 yrs
Demand-to-Delivery Engine · EMKAN
Own intake, qualification, prioritization, and delivery for the IT portfolio — turning demand into governed, measurable delivery.
~35%
IT CAPEX Cut · Al Rajhi
Insourced 129 IT staff from 17 outsourcers into Al Rajhi Services — cutting IT CAPEX spend ~35% — alongside core-banking & digital delivery (incl. the DigiCore program).
1,500+
Talent Programs at Scale · Tanfeeth
25+ hiring programs and 1,500+ local & overseas hires delivered, with full contractual governance and audit readiness.
The Record
Publications & Research
01
Fraud Detection in Loan Applications Using Machine Learning: An Applied Study in the Saudi Financial Market
Applied Study · AI in Financial Services
An applied study presenting machine-learning models for proactive fraud detection in loan applications within the Saudi financial market.
02
An Explainable AI-Based Framework for Controlling Digital Transformation Project Implementation in FinTech & Early Deviation Prediction
PhD Dissertation · Data Science & AI
Doctoral research building an Explainable AI (XAI) framework to govern FinTech transformation delivery and predict project deviations early.
03
Strategic Transformation & Sustainable Growth in Saudi FinTech — Case Study: Emkan Finance
MBA Graduation Project · Strategic Review
A holistic strategic review of a Saudi FinTech under transformation — integrating strategy (PESTEL/SWOT/Porter), leadership & culture, HR, marketing and financial analysis into a 12–24 month sustainable-growth roadmap.
Studies & Research
Applied research & case studies
Finance for Strategic Managers
Strategic Financial Analysis — Samsung
Applied Study
Strategic Marketing — STP & 7Ps
Applied Study
Strategic Human Resource Management
Applied Study
Managing Continuous Organizational Improvement
Applied Research
Research for Strategic Development
Applied Studies
Strategic Planning & Organizational Behaviour
The Journey
A Career in Delivery
Demand & Delivery Manager
EMKAN · إمكان
2022 — Present
Own the full IT demand lifecycle — intake, qualification, prioritization, and delivery execution — aligned to business strategy and portfolio priorities, under governance, risk, and cybersecurity controls.
Senior Projects Manager — IT Solutions
Al Rajhi Bank · مصرف الراجحي
2018 — 2022
Led end-to-end delivery of core banking and digital application projects; built a stakeholder engagement & management framework that improved alignment, decision speed, and risk visibility.
Senior Project Manager
Tanfeeth
2014 — 2018
Managed 25+ hiring programs and coordinated 1,500+ local & overseas hires; oversaw billing and contractual governance with Al Rajhi Bank and third parties with full audit readiness.
Project Manager
Etesal
2008 — 2013
End-to-end project delivery: planning, scheduling, contract administration, change management, and executive reporting across multiple engagements.
Recognition
Honors & awards
✦
Executive Project — HR System Implementation
✦
Employee of the Month — May 2025
✦
Knowledge Ambassador — Appreciation Certificate
Al-Sahafi · الصحفي
Articles & Insights
In Frame · في الإطار
The Gallery
An Audience
Let’s build what’s next.
For advisory, speaking, or collaboration on AI-driven transformation and IT governance in financial services.