Abdallah Abu Sheikh founder of Barq & Rizek talks about Government Services

The Futurist

Join us in this compelling episode of the GX video series, recorded live at the World Government Summit 2023 in Dubai. Host welcomes Abdallah Abu Sheikh, the visionary CEO of AstraTech, founder of Barq and Rizek, to explore how innovation, digital platforms, and user experience are reshaping the future of government services.
Amazon Book Link:
📘 https://rb.gy/8lswgv
Buy a Copy of My New Book UNDUSRUPTED https://amzn.to/4g5gjH9
Abdallah shares valuable insights on how governments can transform public service delivery by embracing ultra platforms—a step beyond super apps. He discusses the critical need to bridge the gap between the pace of technological innovation and the slower adoption rates within many government institutions, particularly in regions outside of innovation hubs like the UAE and Singapore.
In this candid conversation, Abdallah stresses the importance of user experience (UX) in government platforms. From elderly citizens struggling with online billing to high-friction services like visas and registrations still requiring paperwork, the message is clear: if people can’t use it, they won’t adopt it. A seamless, invisible government experience is not just a luxury—it’s essential for scalability and economic growth.
The discussion also touches on the evolving role of government in a post-pandemic world. Rather than building every digital tool themselves, Abdallah suggests governments should empower the private sector to lead experience design, focusing instead on quality assurance and policy. This collaboration, he argues, is the most efficient way to deliver impactful citizen services.
Finally, Abdallah encourages younger generations to join or start tech-driven startups. In an era where automation is rapidly reshaping industries, he believes the next wave of meaningful employment will come from technology-enhanced roles and entrepreneurship, not traditional jobs. Tune in to hear how startups can be the launchpad for the future of public innovation.
Watch all seasons of the GX podcast at www.GX.ae
About GX
The GX Podcast is produced with the support of the Emirates Government Service Excellence Program (EGSEP). Hosted by Futurist Ian Khan, the podcast and video series is the only such series covering the government experience domain.
About Ian Khan
Ian Khan, the host of the

Ian Khan is a globally recognised emerging tech leadership expert. A practising Futurist, Creator of the Future Readiness Leaders Circle, Multiple times author including "Metaverse for Dummies", Filmmaker and Storyteller on PrimeVideo and Emirates Airlines, one of the worlds largest airlines with 10 Million passengers per year. Ian's ground breaking work has been featured on CNN, the BBC, Fox, Bloomberg, Wharton Daily, ArabNews, RT, CoinBase, Korea Times, Spanish Daily Expansión, Ian hosts the worlds largest Future Readiness leadership networks, bringing together high performance entrepreneurs and leaders on a common mission to build future ready and undisputable businesses. Khan's new book is titled "Undisruptable" and is scheduled to release in early 2024.
Visit Ian at www.IanKhan.com