Saudi- Google chief to speak at GCF

(MENAFN- Arab News) Among the experts speaking at this year's Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) is Eric Schmidt the executive chairman of Google who will be delivering a keynote speech on the opening day of the Riyadh event on Jan. 26.The GCF is the most important of the Kingdom's annual economic and business meetings a major event in regional and world terms. Since its debut the primary focus of the gathering has been competitiveness and throughout its history the GCF has had and has a reputation for the high caliber of its speakers and panelists. This year is no exception with Eric Schmidt joining international political and business leaders Saudi ministers and academics will discuss issues related to competitive government and developing a world-class infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Having joined Google in 2001 Eric Schmidt helped grow the company into a global leader in technology. As executive chairman he is responsible for the external matters of Google: building partnerships and broader business relationships government outreach and technology thought leadership as well as advising the CEO and senior leadership on business and policy issues. From 2001-2011 Eric served as Google's chief executive officer. Prior to joining Google Eric held leadership roles at Novell and Sun Microsystems Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University as well as a master's degree and PhD in computer science from the University of California Berkeley. He is a member of the President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology and the Prime Minister's Advisory Council in the UK. He is the co-author of The New Digital Age and How Google Works and serves on the boards of the Economist Group the Mayo Clinic and Khan Academy. Founded in 2006 by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) the GCF has grown into one of the largest and most important annual gatherings of academics business leaders politicians and journalists in the region.