MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
The role of artificial intelligence, higher education and cultural identity in reshaping the UAE's global presence came to the fore during a session on the second day of the International Dialogue of Civilisations and Tolerance Conference 2026 (IDCT) in Abu Dhabi.
The session, titled "The UAE's Civilisational Voice: From National Identity to Global Influence", brought together academic and policy voices including Dr Sheikha Noora Al Shamsi, Board Member of the UAE Youth Programme; Dr Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence at Abu Dhabi University; and Prof Khaled Assaleh, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Ajman Iniversity.
Dr Al Shamsi highlighted how AI has rapidly shifted from research labs into everyday life, fundamentally transforming how societies interact with information, media, and decision-making.
"A few years ago, artificial intelligence lived inside research laboratories. Today, it lives inside our homes," she said, noting that AI is now embedded in phones, media, and even family life.
She stressed that the key question is no longer whether AI will shape the future, but who will shape AI itself. She explained the evolution from traditional tools to generative systems capable of acting autonomously.
"A GenTech AI is completely different. It can plan, decide, and act on our behalf," she said, warning that such systems must be guided by human values, not only instructions.
She also cautioned about the broader societal effects of AI and new media, including attention loss, weakened trust, and shifting identity among younger generations.
"This is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to lead with responsibility," she added, emphasising that the future will judge societies not by how advanced their machines become, but by how wisely they are guided.
Dr Odhabi focused on how AI and technology can support cultural preservation, innovation and governance, particularly in the UAE's rapidly evolving digital landscape.
He highlighted the potential of AI to transform heritage storytelling into modern digital formats. "These stories can be preserved by converting them into videos, animation, stories, and things like that," he said, referring to oral histories and cultural narratives that can be digitised for future generations.
He also emphasised the UAE's strong position in AI adoption and investment, noting its role as one of the leading countries in applying artificial intelligence at scale.
Outlining a framework for AI development, he described four key pillars: research, enhancement, cultivation and governance.
He stressed that while AI accelerates innovation and productivity, it must be balanced with strong ethical standards. "We need to ensure governance. We need to have ethics embedded into what we do. We need to ensure privacy of the data," he said, highlighting the importance of responsible deployment.
Prof Assaleh underlined the central role of universities in shaping the UAE's global intellectual and cultural presence, describing them as "the most global and scalable form of institution".
He explained that universities naturally act as catalysts for regional and societal development. "Wherever there is a university, the entire region flourishes," he said, adding that academic institutions often become the foundation of broader social and economic ecosystems.
He noted the UAE's exceptional higher education landscape, pointing out that the country hosts more than 100 universities and a highly international student body, with around 80% of students coming from abroad.
"These international students… become ambassadors for the UAE," he said, adding that they carry their academic and cultural experiences into their future careers worldwide.
He also highlighted the UAE's strong global academic standing, referencing the presence of multiple universities ranked among the world's top 500 and the high level of international accreditation.
According to Prof Assaleh, research collaboration remains a defining strength, with the vast majority of academic research in the UAE produced through international partnerships. "This is part of the internationalisation… and part of the intellectual contribution to the global community," he said.
Across the session, speakers converged on a shared message: that technology, education and culture must evolve together, anchored in ethics, identity, and responsibility.
The third International Dialogue of Civilisations and Tolerance Conference, is held under the theme "The Impact of New Media and AI on Family and Community". It aims to advance intercultural dialogue and explore the role of new media and AI in strengthening social cohesion, promoting mutual understanding and supporting sustainable development.
The event is hosted by the Emirates Scholar Centre for Research and Studies and the Abrahamic Family House.
