Abu Dhabi is set to host the seventh edition of the Culture Summit, a global platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, from April 27 to 29 at Manarat Al-Saadiyat. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, this three-day event aims to gather policymakers, artists, scholars, and innovators under the theme “Culture for Humanity and Beyond.” The summit will focus on the intersection of culture, technology, and global governance.

Credit: Arab News

The program will feature a variety of activities, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, artist talks, and workshops. Notable speakers confirmed for the summit include Mo Gawdat, former chief business officer at Google X; philosopher Susan Buck-Morss; Prof. Iyad Rahwan from the Max Planck Institute; and Glenn D. Lowry, director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Among the topics to be discussed, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industries will be a significant focus. Sessions such as “AI Revolution: Redefining Creativity in the Age of Machines” and “Should Governments Regulate AI to Compensate the Creative Industries?” will explore how generative technologies are transforming artistic expression and creative labor.

Additionally, the summit will host the second edition of the Mondiacult Ministerial Dialogue, inviting over 10 culture ministers to discuss AI’s influence on culture and the arts’ role in peacebuilding and sustainability. Another essential session will delve into the implementation of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education, building on outcomes from a related global conference held in Abu Dhabi earlier in 2024.

The summit will also emphasize cultural issues such as environmental sustainability and heritage preservation. Sessions titled “Turning Green: What Happens When Cultural Leaders Take Action for the Planet” and “From Ruins to Resilience: A New Era of Heritage Rehabilitation” will highlight culture as a public good.

Prominent creative figures, including Thomas Heatherwick, Colleen Atwood, Refik Anadol, and Herbie Hancock, will participate in artist talks and panels. The program aims to showcase the work of regional talents, offering insights into the UAE’s burgeoning creative sector. Global partners for the event include UNESCO, The Economist Impact, Google, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, among others.