Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the eighth annual ATD Middle East Conference and Exhibition kicked off in the UAE capital on Tuesday with the unveiling of the AI-powered twin bot of Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, an executive leadership coach and author.
In an interview with Aletihad, Goldsmith detailed the inspiration behind the Marshall Bot and its implications on the future of education and coaching. “It’s my philanthropy project, aimed at giving back everything I know. This bot is not just an extension of my expertise; it surpasses my capabilities in ways I never imagined.”
The MG Bot, accessible for free worldwide, is an expert in leadership, behavior, coaching, and management. Goldsmith noted its ability to analyse questions, simulate his thought process, and deliver responses with a staggering 98% accuracy rate. “It’s not a little better than me. It is way better than me,” he admitted.
With over 55 books under his belt, Goldsmith acknowledged the limitations of human memory and the exponential growth potential of AI. “My goal is to work on this for the rest of my life,” he remarked. “It’s a legacy project, ensuring my knowledge persists long after I’m gone.”
Addressing concerns about bias in AI, Goldsmith highlighted the transparency of the MG Bot. “Every AI bot is biased, including mine. The nice thing about this is you know the bias. I am the bias,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Goldsmith aims to work towards developing the MG Bot to incorporate video capabilities and support multiple languages.
Gathering Industry Luminaries in Abu Dhabi
During the conference, CEO Coach Mark Thompson moderated a discussion with Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and Saeed Alghafri, CEO Steel of Emirates Steel Arkan, who engaged with other C-level HR leaders from leading companies in various sectors across the region.
In a statement made available to Aletihad, Abdullah AlSalamah, Chief Human Capital Officer at Alinma Bank, said: “One of L&D’s biggest role is fostering employee potential. With a passion for cultivating talent and driving organisational growth, I’m poised to deliver insightful contributions highlighting innovative strategies and best practices in human resources and learning and development. At the ATD ME Conference 2024, I look forward to engaging with fellow industry leaders and exchanging knowledge to shape the future of L&D”.
Abdulaziz Al Roomi, Head of Learning & Talent at Boubyan Bank and best-selling author, concurred, stating: “L&D plays an essential role in building sustainable businesses and developing future-proof organisations! Honoured to be sharing my insights and experience on the impact of L&D at the ATD Middle East Conference 2024”.
The ATD Middle East conference is organised by the Association of Talent Development (ATD) and QnA International. In a statement sent to Aletihad, Mr. Sidh NC, the Director of QnA International, said: “Our theme this year, ‘All About People: Shaping Leaders, Transforming Talent’ reflects our commitment to exploring the dynamic and evolving landscape of L&D. With the conference this year, we are here to challenge the status quo, rethink traditional methods, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, let us pave the way to dream bigger, reach higher, and strive for excellence”.
Supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), the 8th ATD Conference gathers industry luminaries from across the region and professionals renowned for their expertise in learning and talent development, who will share their knowledge with up to 600 delegates from around the world through addresses, panel discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions.
