Samer Salam is a technology architect and software engineering leader in the computer networking industry with over 23 years of experience. In his role as a Distinguished Engineer at Cisco Systems, he focuses on identifying disruptive technologies based on market transitions, incubating and mainstreaming emerging technologies, in addition to defining the system and software architecture for networking products. His work spans the areas of Intent Based Networking, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Reasoning, Semantic Technologies and Immersive Visualization. Previously at Cisco, he held multiple technical leadership and software development positions working on IoT, Layer 2 VPN / EVPN, Carrier/Metro Ethernet services, OAM, network resiliency, system scalability, software quality, multi-service edge, broadband, MPLS and dial solutions. Samer was awarded the International Society of Service Innovation Professionals (ISSIP) 2022 Excellence in Service Innovation Award for the “Impact to Innovation” category. He holds over 95 US and international patents and is co-author of The Internet of Things From Hype to Reality: The Road to Digitization. He authored thirteen IETF RFCs, and multiple articles in academic and industry journals. He is also a speaker at CiscoLive, and blogs on networking technology. He holds an M.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and a B.E. degree in Computer and Communications Engineering, with Distinction, from the American University of Beirut, where he received the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Dean’s Award for Creative Achievement.