MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The 19th edition of the Aletihad Forum officially commenced on Monday, bringing together technology experts and researchers to explore the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainable development.
Under the theme “Artificial Intelligence: A Driver for Sustainable Development”, the event features discussions on automation, robotics engineering, and generative AI applications.
The forum kicked off with a recorded message from Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.
The minister emphasised the UAE's commitment to embracing future technologies with a robust national environment that supports science and innovation. He further outlined the UAE’s national strategy for AI, aimed at enhancing productivity and building a robust economy through the integration of AI technologies in priority sectors, including energy, health, and education.
Sheikh Nahyan also underscored the importance of ethical considerations in AI development, asserting that the UAE is well-positioned to lead in the AI field, driving positive change and innovations.
The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence recently started working on a new initiative to promote the integration of a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence into AI tools.
This year's edition of Aletihad Forum coincides with the 55th anniversary of Aletihad newspaper, founded in 1969.
In his address, Hamad Al Kaabi, Chief Aletihad News Center Officer, highlighted Aletihad’s role in promoting responsible media through meaningful content that resonates with the vision of the UAE’s leadership, in addition to standing as a witness to the nation’s rapid development over the years.
Al Kaabi added that Aletihad Forum serves as a vital platform to explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and how it can be leveraged for sustainable growth and development in alignment with the UAE’s centennial goals by 2071.
He referenced projections indicating that global spending on artificial intelligence is expected to double by 2028, reaching $632 billion.
Aletihad has been at the forefront of this trend, making headlines in November 2022 as the first publication in the Arab region to feature an article entirely written by AI, utilising the NOOR model developed by the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, according to Al Kaabi.
Aletihad News Center is also embracing AI in its newsrooms and TV broadcast platforms with innovative initiatives like virtual broadcasters, "smart journalists", and "smart speakers”, ensuring that its content and news services continue to meet the needs of the public in a rapidly changing digital landscape.