Dubai Media Academy, the specialized training and research arm of Dubai Media Incorporated, has launched the “Artificial Intelligence Initiative in Arab Media.” This initiative was unveiled during Dubai AI Week, which runs from April 21-25, and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE. The initiative aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem of AI tools and solutions that effectively support Arabic language content across various Arab media platforms.

The launch of this initiative is a direct response to recommendations made by the academy after conducting workshops and sessions over the past year. These discussions revealed a significant lack of AI tools that can handle the complexities and cultural nuances of the Arabic language, which includes diverse dialects and cultural contexts.

The Initiative will foster collaborations with media outlets, technology firms, developers, universities, and research institutions to drive innovations addressing challenges such as dialect representation, visual content authenticity, and the limited availability of reliable Arabic training data.

Muna Busamra, the Director of Dubai Media Academy, stated that the “Artificial Intelligence Initiative in Arab Media” is a direct response to the needs expressed by stakeholders in the Arab media sector. She emphasized that the academy recognizes the pressing need for AI tools that can understand the Arabic language while considering the cultural diversity of Arab societies.

To accompany this launch, Dubai Media Academy has also released the first edition of a white paper titled “Status of Artificial Intelligence in Arab Media.” This document serves as a strategic roadmap that outlines priorities for researchers and technology developers, identifying technical requirements, providing clear guidelines, and highlighting opportunities to create AI-driven solutions tailored for the Arab media landscape.

Advisor to Dubai Media Academy, Asem Galal, highlighted the collective enthusiasm among all parties involved in the media and technology sectors, noting their efforts to shape the future of Arab media with intelligent tools capable of understanding the cultural context. He remarked that this initiative represents a significant advancement toward utilizing artificial intelligence to shape the future of the nation.

Throughout Dubai AI Week, the Academy will host targeted workshops and discussions, with additional strategic projects and partnerships expected to be announced throughout the year.