AI Design Sprint MENA Programme Empowers Regional Media Professionals With AI Tools

The "AI Design Sprint MENA" programme, organised by the Google News Initiative (GNI) and FT Strategies, concluded successfully. This event was held at Google's Innovation Hub in Dubai Internet City. It aimed to enhance the skills of media professionals in the MENA region by focusing on AI tools. The programme included workshops and discussions led by FT Strategies' experts, with participation from Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi and other regional media leaders.

Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy at the UAE Media Council, expressed gratitude to partners like the Saudi Ministry of Media, Google, and FT Strategies for their involvement. She stated, "I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our partners the Saudi Ministry of Media, Google, and FT Strategies for this transformative programme, which brings together media experts from across the MENA region."

Al Suwaidi highlighted that this initiative aligns with the UAE Media Council's vision of fostering an innovative media landscape. It supports capacity building and innovation within the news media ecosystem in the region. The programme leverages FT's publishing expertise alongside Google's AI capabilities to achieve these goals.

Mazen Sabbagh from Google emphasised that this collaboration marks a significant milestone for media growth. He noted that it aids publishers in designing innovative AI solutions that can drive business success. This effort is crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing media environment.

Sabrina Daryanani from FT Strategies explained that their digital transformation programmes support global media organisations. She said, "FT Strategies and the Google News Initiative deliver digital transformation programmes to media organisations worldwide and these include exploring the use of technology to support innovation and sustainability in journalism." The AI Design Sprint provided a platform for developing AI use cases while sharing ideas among participants.

The programme's workshops were attended by experts from key local and regional media organisations. These sessions concentrated on identifying opportunities for innovation and designing effective solutions. They also addressed potential risks associated with AI implementation.

Building Future AI Strategies

Participants were equipped with knowledge and tools essential for future AI strategies. The event aimed to empower them with skills necessary to excel in navigating an evolving media landscape confidently. By engaging in this programme, media professionals gained insights into pursuing their aspirations effectively.

This initiative underscores a commitment to enhancing media operations through artificial intelligence across the MENA region. It reflects a broader effort to integrate advanced technologies into journalism sustainably while fostering innovation among industry professionals.

With inputs from WAM