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Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception

Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception
Mementos marking the 50thanniversary of Arab News were presented by Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas to Mona Al-Marri and other speakers at the end of Monday’s event at the Emirates Towers in Dubai. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)
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Updated 22 min 19 sec ago

Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception

Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception
  • Dubai Media Office Director-General Mona Al-Marri praises Arab News transformation, says others should follow suit
  • Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul: How we create and consume media is changing dramatically
  • Google MENA MD Anthony Nakache: We are committed to empowering journalists

DUBAI: As part of a series of initiatives marking its 50th anniversary, Arab News hosted a special reception and talk in collaboration with Google on the opening day of the Arab Media Forum, reflecting on five decades of events that shaped the Middle East and exploring the future of the region’s media landscape.

During the reception, held at the Dubai Future Foundation under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Media,” Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, addressed the challenges facing the media industry and how emerging technologies are reshaping its future.

“The future does not wait, the future is already here, and we should remember that the future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it, as Dubai Ruler H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid always says,” said Abbas.

“As an industry, we have suffered far too long from paralysis by analysis,” he added. “While artificial intelligence is evolving every day, we should simply just do it and remember that amateurs talk strategy, while professionals talk logistics, as the late World War II general, Omar Bradley, once said.”




Faisal J. Abbas presents a memento marking the 50thanniversary of Arab News to Khalfan Belhoul. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

For her part, Mona Al-Marri, director-general of Dubai Media Office, Government of Dubai, welcomed the attendees and congratulated Arab News on its 50th anniversary in her opening remarks.

“Congratulations to the entire Arab News team,” she said, noting the newspaper’s pivotal role in the regional media landscape and its long-standing contribution to the Arab Media Summit since its inception 23 years ago — “whether through participation, contribution, or by organizing events like this.”

Al-Marri praised the leadership of Abbas, saying that “having a young editor-in-chief running such a major platform makes” a real difference.

Let’s all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation

“How can we transform such a platform into digital? Today’s (event) actually marks the importance of having such collaboration, like with Google and the Dubai Future Foundation, where we feel this is the future of the Arab media. I hope that all media outlets in our region follow in the steps of Arab News, because this is when you set a good working model for the whole region.”

“Arab News is leading this transformation,” she added. In a region where over 50 percent of the population is young, “we should all follow this model.”




Al-Marri praised the leadership of Abbas, saying that “having a young editor-in-chief running such a major platform makes” a real difference. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

Speaking on the future of the industry in his keynote speech, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, outlined seven key predictions for media over the next year.

“Let’s all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically,” he said during his address at the Dubai Future Foundation Auditorium in Emirates Towers. “Look at the average attention span, which is eight seconds.”

He noted how sports consumption has dramatically changed beyond live games and consequently the demand for content has exploded. “For me, sport is all about pre-game, game, post-game interviews and conversations. And we need to adapt to that.”

Belhoul emphasized that this shift is forcing a transformation of media business models. “New media means new roles,” he said, listing predictions such as AI-generated news anchors, governments licensing content creators, and AI-powered productions by major streaming platforms. He also highlighted the rise of “slow media” as a cultural counterbalance to viral, unchecked content.

He said that the disruptive power of AI — from disinformation to audience mistrust — makes the “human touch” more vital than ever. “AI may be the hero of the next media chapter, but self-critique, adaptability and editorial responsibility will define its success,” he said.

Now in its 24th edition, the three-day Arab Media Forum in Dubai brings together senior government officials, media executives, thought leaders, and influential content creators from the Arab region and beyond. It is now held under a bigger event called the Arab Media Summit, which includes various other forums and award ceremonies.




Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, addressed the challenges facing the media industry and how emerging technologies are reshaping its future. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

The summit runs until May 28 and focuses on fostering collaboration among media platforms, senior officials, and governments to create a positive impact on shaping vital sectors of everyday life in the region.

In light of this connection, the summit features an impressive lineup of prominent personalities including Nawaf Salam, the prime minister of Lebanon, and Asaad Al-Shaibani, Syria’s foreign minister, among others.

A panel discussion featuring information ministers from several Arab countries explores the future of public media and strategies to strengthen collaboration with the private sector.

The best results come when an AI tool is put in the hands of journalists, creating magic for users.

Anthony Nakache, Managing director of Google MENA

Ghassan Salameh, Lebanon’s minister of culture, will share insights on the media’s role in shaping a path toward regional stability, while prominent media figure Piers Morgan is set to address the summit audience in a key session.

Addressing the pivotal role of AI in reshaping the media landscape, Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for Google in the Middle East & North Africa, highlighted Google’s initiatives and AI-powered products aimed at enhancing journalismand supporting content creation in an era of rapid digital transformation.

He said: “Since Google was founded, our mission has been to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible for everyone. Twenty six later, this mission has not changed and we are more committed to it than ever, with AI being at the core of it.”




Anthony Nakache, Managing Director of Google in MENA, highlighted Google’s initiatives and AI-powered products aimed at enhancing journalism and supporting content creation. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

“We launched new initiatives such as the AI Launchpad with FT Strategies and the Google News initiative and FT Strategies AI design sprint in collaboration with The Saudi Ministry of Media and the UAE Media Council.”

He added: “By continuing to invest in innovation, to uphold the highest standards of quality information, and by empowering journalists to use AI tools and digital solutions, we can together forge a very dynamic and successful future for journalism in the region. A great example of that is what we are going to showcase tonight, which is our collaboration with Arab News that is now experimenting with the latest of our AI tools to create new ways to engage with their audience.”

Nakache said he was “very excited” about the upcoming powered by NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research tool to help users find, summarize, generate Audio Overviews, and gain insights faster from their information. The tool was recently recognized as one of the most innovative AI solutions of 2024 by Time magazine.

“But the best (results come) when it is put in the hands of journalists, creating magic for users,” he added.




The reception, held at the Dubai Future Foundation, was themed “Reimagining the Future of Media.” (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

Monday evening concluded with the announcement of Arab News’ collaboration with Google for a special podcast series titled “Recounting the Moments that Changed the Middle East.”

The five-episode podcast series spans five decades, with each episode focusing on a pivotal decade in Middle East history — from 1975 to the present.

Produced using NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research tool, the project employed artificial hosts and AI-generated voices to narrate major events that shaped the region, highlighting how emerging technology can support storytelling, research and historical reflection in modern journalism.

You can access the podcast by visiting


Lebanon PM says media is key to nation’s peace after conflict

Lebanon PM says media is key to nation’s peace after conflict
Updated 33 min 35 sec ago

Lebanon PM says media is key to nation’s peace after conflict

Lebanon PM says media is key to nation’s peace after conflict
  • Nawaf Salam thanks UAE, GCC, criticizes Israel for ‘violations’
  • Media must be ‘neutral and a shared space for understanding’

DUBAI: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has emphasized the pivotal role of the media in shaping a new era of peace and prosperity for Lebanon.

“We are at a historical juncture in our country, especially when it comes to media. We want a living Arab media that creates the future and doesn’t linger on the past,” Salam said during his address on Tuesday at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.

Since Lebanon’s ceasefire agreement with Israel in November, the country has been racing to rebuild — physically, socially, and politically.

“We are back — back to our state and back to our Arab identity,” Salam declared, concluding his speech and receiving emphatic applause from the audience.

He credited the UAE and GCC for their support in Lebanon’s recovery, noting the significance of Emirati citizens returning to visit the country.

“I want to thank the GCC, and especially the UAE and its leaders such as His Highness President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who kept their promise and allowed our Emirati brothers to travel to Lebanon,” he said.

Highlighting the media’s power in shaping public discourse, Salam acknowledged both its potential for progress and its risk of harm.

“Seventy-five percent of the world’s population has a smartphone; 67 percent are connected to the internet, and 57 percent receive news through social media,” he said.

“Media is becoming a tool for misinformation and the spread of distorted context.”

In a country marked by decades of political and sectarian divides, Salam stressed the importance of media neutrality in his nation.

“We don’t want the media to be loyal to us. We want it to be professional, neutral, and a shared space for understanding,” he stated.

Despite progress, Salam warned that Lebanon’s path forward remains complex, but harnessing the influence of the media was a critical tool for improving conditions in Lebanon, and maintaining sovereignty.

“We still have commitments,” he said, referring to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. “We continue to face occupation of our land and ongoing violations from Israel.”

He reassured, however, that while the media can be a “maker of peace and war,” Lebanon would prioritize a neutral media outlet — free from sectarian ties — that upholds truth for the well-being of all Lebanese citizens.

“I speak to you not only as a prime minister, but as Lebanese citizen, I have lived through the pain and hope, and I also believe that when words are honest and true, they can be a bridge to building humanity between communities.”

“Lebanon is making its comeback from its crises, based on the principle of reform and sovereignty. Our vision for Lebanon is not just imagined, it is a project.

“We want a state of decision and a country that is enshrined in its Arab identity and to become a bridge from the east to the west,” he said.

“We are back, we are back to our state and back to our Arab identity,” he said.


Arab media has “biggest role” in showing Gaza injustices, says Al-Azhar’s grand imam

Arab media has “biggest role” in showing Gaza injustices, says Al-Azhar’s grand imam
Updated 27 May 2025

Arab media has “biggest role” in showing Gaza injustices, says Al-Azhar’s grand imam

Arab media has “biggest role” in showing Gaza injustices, says Al-Azhar’s grand imam
  • Ahmad Al-Tayeb decries Israel’s ‘deliberate’ killing of journalists
  • Lauds Arab govts for helping to highlight the plight of Palestinians

DUBAI: Arab media has the “biggest role” in showing injustices in Gaza, said the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayeb on Tuesday.

“Thousands of journalists in Gaza are being martyred and more injured and lost their homes and families. This deliberate targeting of journalists aims to silence the truth and to stop the reality of the atrocities in Gaza being broadcast to the world,” he said.

“I call on all media professionals to establish a joint Arab media strategy that will be a shield to protect the truth and our Arab identity,” he said.

Al-Tayeb said Arabs and Muslims suffer from media misinformation and disinformation in the West.

“We as Arab and Muslims have suffered from media damage after being accused of terrorism and being unfair to women and linking Islam to these extremist ideologies,” said Al-Tayeb.

Al-Tayeb said the late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said had demonstrated convincingly how Western cultural production is used to vilify Arabs, Islam and Muslims.

He added: “The destruction happening in Gaza is being criticized by all people of the world but it has been ongoing for 19 months.

“The Arab media has the biggest role in disclosing and showing how the people in Gaza are being treated and keeping the Palestinian cause at the front of everyone’s minds.”

“We are witnessing the change of stances in many EU countries for the Palestinian cause and standing up for the atrocities that Gaza is facing. I would like to thank the efforts of the Arab governments in facilitating the delivery and providing of aid to the people in Gaza,” he said.

Al-Tayeb said many have refused to speak out about the atrocities in Gaza. “Those who criticized us and claimed to care about human principles stayed silent to the injustices in Gaza,” he said.

Al-Tayeb said Al-Azhar had discussions with the late Pope Francis and the Vatican to create an artificial intelligence project that protects the interests of the public.

“The project was almost finalized, however, the pope passed before we had finished and now we are in communication with the Vatican to hopefully finalize the work,” he said.

“The use of AI should be regulated and practiced with morality and ethical considerations in order to avoid it turning into a monster,” he said.


Yaqeen Hammad, 11-year-old activist and influencer, killed in Israeli strike

Yaqeen Hammad, 11-year-old activist and influencer, killed in Israeli strike
Updated 27 May 2025

Yaqeen Hammad, 11-year-old activist and influencer, killed in Israeli strike

Yaqeen Hammad, 11-year-old activist and influencer, killed in Israeli strike
  • Known for her humanitarian and aid work, Hammad was considered a ‘beacon of humanity’ in a region devastated by conflict

LONDON: Palestinian activist and social media influencer Yaqeen Hammad, 11, was killed in an Israeli airstrike over the weekend in northern Gaza, amid an intensifying Israeli military campaign.

Yaqeen died on Friday night when Israeli forces shelled the Al-Baraka area in Deir Al-Balah. Her death came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the entire Gaza Strip under Israeli control by the end of the war.

Known throughout Gaza for her radiant smile, optimism, and humanitarian work, Yaqeen had become a symbol of resilience in a region devastated by conflict. Alongside her older brother, Mohamed Hammad, she delivered food, toys, and clothing to displaced families. She was also an active member of Ouena, a Gaza-based nonprofit focused on aid and relief efforts.

“I try to bring a bit of joy to the other children so that they can forget the war,” she once wrote on social media.

Despite her young age, Yaqeen had gained a large following for her ability to bring comfort and positivity to others during wartime. According to the Palestine Chronicle, she also shared practical survival tips for living under siege, such as cooking without gas, a common hardship in Gaza caused by repeated blockades and infrastructure destruction.

News of her death triggered an outpouring of grief on social media and in Gaza. Activists, journalists, and followers mourned the loss of a child who had become a symbol of light during one of Gaza’s darkest times.

“Always seen with a radiant smile and unwavering spirit, 11-year-old Yaqeen Hammad was a beacon of hope in Palestine’s Gaza,” read one tribute on X.

Photojournalist Mahmoud Bassam wrote: “Her body may be gone, but her impact remains a beacon of humanity.”

Yaqeen's death comes as Israeli airstrikes intensify despite ongoing discussions about a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend, more than 100 people were killed, including 52 on Monday, when a strike hit a school-turned-shelter where many were sleeping.

The ongoing bombardment has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. International organizations have condemned Israel’s blockade on aid, saying that the enclave’s 2.3 million residents are facing starvation.


Global media recognizes regional reporting talent, says CNN Arabic leader

Global media recognizes regional reporting talent, says CNN Arabic leader
Updated 27 May 2025

Global media recognizes regional reporting talent, says CNN Arabic leader

Global media recognizes regional reporting talent, says CNN Arabic leader
  • Caroline Faraj says region’s youth are educated, multilingual
  • Arab News’ Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas highlights uses of AI

DUBAI: Global media houses recognize that people from the region are the best to cover the news happening here, said CNN Arabic Services Vice President Caroline Faraj on Tuesday.

“This region invested in its youth and its education whether you are educated here or abroad, we have a cultured multilingual youth that understands the perspective of this region.

“This attracted global media outlets to come and hire this talent from the country itself,” she added during a session at the Arab Media Summit.

“When global media outlets need the truth, they go for the locals for our special talent,” added Faraj.

Faraj said authenticity in news gathering remains vital, in whatever language it occurs.

She said CNN was still adapting to artificial intelligence technology and warned that checks and balances are still needed.

“We still need people to be editors and to verify what AI is doing,” said Faraj.

Arab News’ Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas said on the technology: “AI is a reality; it’s a fact and it’s not something that is going to happen in the future.

“People talk about the concerns and challenges, but AI is an opportunity … There is no problem with AI, there is a problem with the lack of natural intelligence to use it.”

Maha Eldahan, Reuters’ Gulf bureau chief, added: “We can’t use AI without a human touch, we can’t publish an article that was translated by AI without checking it and I don’t think this will ever happen.”

Abbas added: “We are utilizing AI softwares to help cut down on cost and time, it can help us produce the same amount of work in half the time and for virtually no cost at all, so we need to be able to harness this technology for our benefit.”


‘News is a human need and not a luxury,’ says MBC leader at Arab Media Summit

‘News is a human need and not a luxury,’ says MBC leader at Arab Media Summit
Updated 27 May 2025

‘News is a human need and not a luxury,’ says MBC leader at Arab Media Summit

‘News is a human need and not a luxury,’ says MBC leader at Arab Media Summit
  • MBC’s Group Director Ali Jaber highlights social media power
  • Youth mobilized around Gaza as Western media ‘failed’ in duty

DUBAI: “News is a human need and not a luxury,” said MBC’s Group Director Ali Jaber in Dubai on Tuesday.

“It is a need for everyone to know what’s happening around us, a world without news is not a world that we would ever live in,” said Jaber in a session at the Arab Media Summit.

“Social media and traditional media have a complementary relationship, social media has none of the restrictions that traditional media outlets have.

“Social media platforms are not journalistic platforms but can be utilized for that purpose,” he said.

Jaber said social media has proven to influence change in the news world, and cited the crisis in Gaza as an example. Jaber said he believes global outrage from the youth was mobilized by social media.

“Social media moved generations during the Gaza crisis, especially since traditional media in the West failed. Social media filled the gap that was generated by the obvious bias in Western traditional media,” said Jaber.

“Under the motto of freedom of speech, social media is attracting a larger number of audience who are trying to find faster and shorter news to consume,” he said.

Jaber said traditional media needs to implement the quick and fast nature of social media.

“We are in a changing world, it’s naive to say traditional media will stay dominant … We have to teach newsrooms to write 360 news that can be adapted into any form including social media,” he added.

“TV benefited a lot from social media, we use social media as a means of promoting for us, we need to have a community that we can work with around the clock and that is promoted by social media,” he said.

Jaber said although he is an artificial intelligence skeptic, he believes education is key to utilizing this technology safely and to their full potential.

“AI is a real milestone and a great pillar of everything we want to do … AI will be a key part of our work in the journalism world,” he added.

“We need to educate people on how to deal with things like fake news and other problems that may arise from utilizing AI,” he said.