ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Seoul, in collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory and the Asiatic Research Institute at Korea University, as knowledge partners, organised a symposium titled “AI for a Sustainable and Secure Future: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Global Stability and Ethical Innovation.”
The event took place at Veritas Hall at Korea University in Seoul, was attended by H.E. Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to South Korea, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, Prof. Chuck Yoo, Vice President of Korea University, and researchers, experts, and academics who explored AI’s pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and secure global future.
Importance of AI
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi emphasised that AI is not just a technological advancement but a transformative force that shapes economies, drives innovation, and influences the geopolitical landscape. He highlighted the UAE’s recognition of AI’s importance and its positive impact on enhancing service delivery. He noted that the UAE launched its AI Strategy in October 2017, paving the way for a new era of government services and infrastructure projects.
Shaping the World’s Future
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali emphasised the importance of AI in shaping the world’s future, affirming that TRENDS Research & Advisory places great focus on this field. He praised the UAE-Korean collaboration in science and knowledge dissemination, highlighting the role of the UAE Embassy in Korea in organising such events.
Dr. Al-Ali presented figures demonstrating the massive global growth in AI investments, underscoring its increasing significance. He also highlighted the need to harness AI to build a safer and more sustainable future, focusing on the ethical development of these technologies while warning of the challenges posed by AI. He expressed gratitude to the Embassy for choosing TRENDS as a knowledge partner for organising this event and to Korea University for hosting and collaborating to make this symposium successful.
Significant Cooperation
In a recorded speech, Dr. Kim Dong-one, President of Korea University, congratulated the symposium organisers and participants. He emphasised that the bilateral cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea is of great importance to both nations, noting that this cooperation has expanded from focusing on energy and construction to many other fields, including technology.
He also expressed Korea University’s readiness to enhance research and academic collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory in areas such as AI, international security, counterterrorism, advanced technologies, and more.
TRENDS’ Office Enhances Cooperation
In his opening remarks, Professor Jin-han Lee, Director of the Asiatic Research Institute at Korea University, stated that the inauguration of TRENDS’ Office in Korea would enhance academic and research collaboration with Korean academic groups. He expressed the University’s eagerness for further practical cooperation with the Office. He added, “We must strive to achieve mutually beneficial and meaningful results, and we will spare no effort in supporting the achievement of our shared goals.”
High-Quality Outputs
Dr. Musa Kim Jong Do, Director of the Centre for Middle East and Islamic Studies at Korea University and Director of the TRENDS office in Korea, emphasised that they would achieve significant, balanced, top-tier research outcomes through research and collaboration between TRENDS and Korea University. He highlighted that the Office would focus on purposeful research, placing humanity at the centre of its efforts.
Tremendous Potential
Following researcher Suaad Al-Hamadi’s presentation, experts and speakers emphasised AI’s crucial role in shaping a sustainable and secure global future. They noted that AI possesses tremendous potential to address global environmental challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, and the development of innovative solutions for sustainability and circular economy models. AI also plays a significant role in enhancing global security.
Sustainability
The first session of the symposium, moderated by Dr. Han In-taek, a researcher at the Sejong Institute, focused on AI as a driver of sustainability. Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, the Centre for Futures Studies Director at the University of Dubai and President of the Robotics and Automation Society, presented a paper highlighting AI’s increasing role in addressing climate change challenges and its immense potential to advance sustainability.
Dr. Al Dhaheri, however, warned that despite this promising potential, challenges exist, such as the significant energy consumption required to train AI models, and the ethical considerations associated with technology. He emphasised the importance of investing in research and development to create innovative solutions to these challenges and ensure the responsible use of AI.
AI and Climate
Ruqaya Al-Noamani, a Doctorate Candidate in Technology Management, Economics, and Policy Program, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, and ADNOC Scholar, UAE, highlighted AI’s pivotal role in combating climate change.
She explained how AI contributes to achieving carbon neutrality by improving energy consumption, integrating renewable energy sources, and enhancing carbon capture and storage technologies. She provided real-world examples from the UAE and Korea, emphasising the importance of deploying AI ethically to ensure its benefits are distributed fairly.