Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Families must become more involved in how children and young people use artificial intelligence and social media to prevent a widening generational divide, experts said after a major conference in Abu Dhabi.
The Emirates Scholar Centre for Research and Studies announced the outcomes of the third International Dialogue of Civilisations and Tolerance Conference, held under the theme "The Impact of New Media and AI on Family and Community".
The three-day event brought together 206 speakers from 120 countries across 27 sessions, attracting more than 3,165 participants. It produced 127 scientific contributions, including 80 peer-reviewed research papers, and led to the signing of five memorandums of understanding.
Organised with the Abrahamic Family House, Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities and the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, the conference called for stronger digital literacy, responsible use of AI and social media, greater family involvement in online education, and tougher action against misinformation and hate speech.
Dr Fawaz Habbal, Director General of the Emirates Scholar Centre for Research and Studies, said that family involvement was among the main lessons from this year's event. "The UAE sees technology as a driver of the future while promoting its responsible use," he told Aletihad on the sidelines of the event.
"Families must play an active role in the use of AI and social media. Without engagement from parents and communities, the gap between younger and older generations will continue to widen."
The conference also marked the launch of the Emirates Scholar Scientific Assistant, described by organisers as the world's first AI scientific agent built solely on verified academic sources.
Dr Habbal explained that the platform was designed to reduce misinformation and inaccurate AI-generated answers by linking responses to verified scientific references.
"It supports students, researchers, academics and media professionals by offering reliable information, assisting with research and verifying facts," he said.
Dr Habbal revealed the centre plans to launch scientific projects with government entities, universities and community partners to implement the conference's recommendations.
He added that the 2027 edition of the conference would focus on dialogue and the humanities, with greater emphasis on tolerance and coexistence.
The centre also launched the Diwan Belhaif digital platform, which documents more than four decades of national, academic and intellectual work by Dr Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi.
Dr Al Nuaimi said that the UAE's hosting of the conference carried wider importance amid growing divisions around the world.
"At a time when we see so much division around the world, talking about tolerance is, in my view, a significant Emirati achievement, where it continues to promote the values of coexistence and dialogue," he told Aletihad on the sidelines of the event.
Abu Dhabi had become a natural venue for international discussions on tolerance and coexistence, Dr Al Nuaimi added.
"Holding a conference dedicated to tolerance and dialogue among civilisations is highly significant. I believe that if this conference were not held in Abu Dhabi, it would be difficult to find another place better suited to host it."
