emirates7 - The Google News Initiative (GNI) and FT Strategies, in collaboration with the UAE Media Council and Saudi Ministry of Media, have successfully concluded their "AI Design Sprint MENA" programme. Held at Google's Innovation Hub in Dubai Internet City, the programme included workshops and discussions led by FT Strategies' experts, with participation from Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and prominent media figures from the region.
The event was designed to enhance the capabilities of media and publishing institutions across the MENA region, aiming to accelerate the adoption of AI tools among media professionals. The goal was to enable them to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to improve their media operations.
Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy at the UAE Media Council, expressed her gratitude to the Saudi Ministry of Media, Google, and FT Strategies for their collaboration on this transformative initiative. She highlighted the programme's alignment with the UAE Media Council's vision to foster an innovative and forward-thinking media landscape, support capacity building, and encourage innovation in the region's media sector, leveraging FT’s publishing expertise and Google’s AI capabilities.
Al Suwaidi further emphasized the programme's goal to equip media professionals with the skills, knowledge, and insights needed to excel in the rapidly changing media landscape.
Mazen Sabbagh, News and Publishing Partnerships Lead for MENA at Google, called the collaboration a major milestone, noting the programme's role in helping publishers and implement innovative AI solutions to drive business growth.
Sabrina Daryanani, Principal at FT Strategies, explained that the AI Design Sprint programme allows participants to explore the use of technology to support innovation and sustainability in journalism. It provides a structured process for developing AI use cases and tools to assess and implement AI solutions.
The programme included specialized workshops with experts from key local and regional media organizations, focusing on identifying opportunities, fostering innovation, and designing AI-driven solutions, while also addressing the risks associated with AI and equipping participants with the knowledge to shape their future AI strategies.
The event was designed to enhance the capabilities of media and publishing institutions across the MENA region, aiming to accelerate the adoption of AI tools among media professionals. The goal was to enable them to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to improve their media operations.
Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy at the UAE Media Council, expressed her gratitude to the Saudi Ministry of Media, Google, and FT Strategies for their collaboration on this transformative initiative. She highlighted the programme's alignment with the UAE Media Council's vision to foster an innovative and forward-thinking media landscape, support capacity building, and encourage innovation in the region's media sector, leveraging FT’s publishing expertise and Google’s AI capabilities.
Al Suwaidi further emphasized the programme's goal to equip media professionals with the skills, knowledge, and insights needed to excel in the rapidly changing media landscape.
Mazen Sabbagh, News and Publishing Partnerships Lead for MENA at Google, called the collaboration a major milestone, noting the programme's role in helping publishers and implement innovative AI solutions to drive business growth.
Sabrina Daryanani, Principal at FT Strategies, explained that the AI Design Sprint programme allows participants to explore the use of technology to support innovation and sustainability in journalism. It provides a structured process for developing AI use cases and tools to assess and implement AI solutions.
The programme included specialized workshops with experts from key local and regional media organizations, focusing on identifying opportunities, fostering innovation, and designing AI-driven solutions, while also addressing the risks associated with AI and equipping participants with the knowledge to shape their future AI strategies.