Day 2 of Knowledge Summit 2024 highlights AI as catalyst for sustainability and innovation

    DUBAI, UAE, November 22, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The sessions of the final day of the two-day Knowledge Summit 2024, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), delved deeper into the multifaceted applications of AI. Held across three dedicated halls, these sessions hosted experts from around the world to discuss the latest trends and innovations in AI, their applications across various industries, and their role in shaping a sustainable future.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, commented: "AI has the power to revolutionize industries and address global challenges. The Knowledge Summit 2024 served as a perfect venue for showcasing the incredible potential of AI to drive innovation, sustainability, and human progress."

The second day's lineup of sessions featured a key session titled 'UNDP and MBRF Partnership – Advancing Knowledge in the Arab States Region and Beyond', which revealed the findings of the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2024. HE Jamal bin Huwaireb; HE Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations and Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, UNDP; and Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Adviser and Project Manager of Knowledge Project, UNDP, took part in this session.

A session titled 'Eco-Innovations for a Sustainable Future' featured Dr. Hosni Ghedira, Professor of Practice at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI); Dr. Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice President and Director of the SDG Academy, UNSDSN; Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB; and Katarina Hasbani, Founder of Enrupt. This session explored ways of leveraging AI for environmental monitoring and data collection, as well as improving resource management by integrating AI analytics and human decision-making.

Another session, titled 'Next-Gen Ready: Gear Up for What's Ahead', included Laurent Probst, Senior Independent Advisor, PwC; Rik Bleeker, CSR Manager, Cisco Systems; Amna Al Mahri, Executive Director of Learning Enablement and Effectiveness Sector, Gov Academy; and Jillian Demello, Senior HR Leader, Cigna Healthcare. It was moderated by Kareem Soufi, Director of Government Partnerships for EMEA, Coursera. The speakers reviewed the challenges posed by the digital revolution on future generations, emphasizing the need to focus on technological skills such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, as well as personal skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. The session aimed to redefine the knowledge industry by inspiring innovative thinking and fostering a future driven by technology and human ingenuity.

The session 'The Speed of Collaborative Learning at ICESCO' hosted the winners of the 'FutureSkills4All' initiative competitions - namely, Abdulnassir Mahmoud Anggawi from Saudi Arabia, Ikram Alguerrab and Oumaima Al-Bouhadoui from Morocco, and Taqwa Abdullah from Iraq.

The session was moderated by Dr. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of Director General Cabinet, ICESCO. It addressed the importance of cooperative learning, which is one of the most important methods of modern education, as a means to build communication skills, promote teamwork, and enhance critical thinking among individuals, thereby improving learning outcomes and enhancing the readiness of youth to meet the requirements of the labor market. ICESCO's efforts to promote this approach in Islamic countries were also highlighted during this session.

Furthermore, a session titled 'Beyond the Lens: AI-Driven Innovations in Filmmaking' was held during the Summit, delivered by Karim Saad, a virtual reality filmmaker. Saad explored the transformative impact of AI on the film industry, discussing how AI-powered technologies can enhance production quality, streamline processes, and unlock new horizons in the sector.

Another session titled 'AI: Agents and the Future of Truth' was presented by Priya Lakhani, OBE and Founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech. During this session, Lakhani delved into the fundamental differences between AI and physical reality, exploring the most effective tools to harness AI's potential and transform our lives.

The Knowledge Summit 2024 has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. By highlighting the latest advancements in AI, the Summit has inspired future generations and paved the way for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

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