The 13th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) kicked off on Wednesday at the Expo Centre Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), drawing experts, scholars, and professionals from around the globe to discuss advancements in the communication sector.
Under the theme “Agile Governments, Innovative Communication,” the event spotlighted a range of pressing topics, including the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in media, public communication in the digital age, academic exchanges, and media cooperation.
As AI technology rapidly advances, participants noted significant opportunities and challenges in localizing AI applications, particularly within the Arabic language. Mohamed Abdul Zaher, CEO of the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting, highlighted the unique complexities of Arabic due to its extensive vocabulary.
“The situation with the Arabic language is quite unique because Arabic has over 12 million words, unlike English, French, and other languages,” Zaher told CGTN. “Many applications mainly work in Arabic, yet text in Arabic. Still, for me as a journalist of media and academic, we still need more enhancements.”
The IGCF has become a crucial platform for Sharjah to expand cooperation across various fields. Mohamed Al Musharrakh, CEO of the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office, emphasized the UAE’s recent inclusion in the BRICS group of nations as a catalyst for deeper exchanges and cooperation with China across multiple sectors.
“There are a lot of projects coming up, especially in the industrial sector as well, not only in the cultural sector,” Al Musharrakh said. “Talking about Sharjah, currently we have around 700 Chinese companies. With the UAE being part of BRICS, we are aiming to increase this number by at least 15 percent in the year 2024.”
This year’s IGCF gathered over 250 speakers and experts from around the world to lead discussions on the future of communication across 18 stages. The extensive agenda features more than 160 activities, including panel discussions, keynote speeches, 40 capacity-building workshops led by experts, youth-focused initiatives, and a research platform, all in collaboration with over 40 local, regional, and international partners.
The forum serves as a testament to the UAE’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the ever-evolving communication landscape, positioning the nation as a hub for dialogue and development in the global arena.
Reference(s):
AI application the hot topic as communication forum kicks off in UAE
cgtn.com
