Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah leads the Digital Research Lab at the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), where he drives research and innovation to advance sustainable digital economy. With over 20 years of experience spanning government, industry, and research institutions, he specializes in digital public policy, AI, generative AI, big government data ecosystems, and development of frameworks & strategies to counter online misinformation.

Shah earned his Ph.D. in Data Science (Government Big Data Ecosystems) from the International Hellenic University (IHU), Greece, producing influential research on emerging technologies and misinformation. Previously, he contributed as a senior research consultant on European Commission H2020 projects, including ‘Co-inform’ and ‘Digital Government for All’, which focused on misinformation mitigation, and to promote cross-border digital transformation.

He has also served as Director of IT, MoIT, Executive Director of Pakistan’s Digital Government Directorate/Authority, and Managing Director of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). Shah brings extensive expertise in shaping digital transformation, sustainability, public policy frameworks, and combating online misinformation for inclusive and trustworthy digital futures.