With over 25 years in technology and a strong passion for AI, Manuel Dias is the Chief Technology Officer of the Portuguese State and President of ARTE — the Agency for the Technological Reform of the State, leading the digital transformation of Public Administration to deliver simpler, proactive, and secure services to citizens and businesses across Portugal. He began his career as a software engineer at EFACEC before joining OutSystems in its early days, where he helped shape the product and grow the company from a startup into what would become a global leader in low-code development. From 2011 to 2025, at Microsoft Portugal, he served as National Technology Officer and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, driving large-scale Data & AI initiatives that accelerated the country's digital transformation and AI adoption across both the public and private sectors. Deeply committed to education and innovation, Manuel is an Invited Professor at NOVA IMS and Instituto Superior Técnico, teaching Data Science and Generative AI. He co-founded and serves as Vice-President of the Data Science Portuguese Association (DSPA). He holds a degree in Electrotechnical Engineering and Computer Science from IST, a Master's in Information Systems from ISEG, and advanced certifications in Generative AI (MIT) and Business Strategy (INSEAD) — reflecting a lifelong dedication to learning, sharing knowledge, and shaping the future of technology in Portugal and beyond.