Artificial intelligence to take centre stage at IGCF in Sharjah

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The 14th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2025) will place artificial intelligence at the centre of its agenda through sessions examining its impact on media, law, training, and cyber security, while giving younger generations space to experiment with its creative tools.

As part of the Forum’s pre-events, the “COMMS” programme focuses on equipping students and graduates of media and communication faculties in the UAE with the most in-demand skills for contemporary government communication environments, emphasising the responsible and effective use of AI tools and technologies. Concluding on Sept.4 at Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah, the programme delivers an integrated training track that pairs academic framing with hands-on application. The forum will take place on Sept.10–11 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life.”

Organised by the Sharjah Press Club of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the debate will be held in the Government Communication Talks hall, which features a diverse programme sponsored by Al Marwan Group.

The debate will explore the profession’s future amid the technology revolution and the balance needed between traditional journalistic values and AI tools, with contributions from Hussam Al Najjar, consultant in AI, education and innovation, and Simon Thethi, consultant in media and technology.

The session “Artificial Intelligence and its Applications in Law,” organised by the Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal within the Government Communication Talks Hall will feature a diverse programme sponsored by Al Marwan Group.

It will focus on AI’s implications for judicial and legislative practice, from smart contracts to judicial prediction, and the importance of ethical frameworks that protect human rights. Speakers include Dr Abdullah Al Nasser, lawyer and legal consultant, with moderation by Adel Fakher, lawyer and legal consultant.

Another session, “Leveraging Digital Media to Increase Cyber-resilience,” will feature lawyers Sabiha Al Suraidi and Zayed Saeed Al Shamsi, moderated by the lawyer Khadija Suhail. It will cover protection against cyber threats, countering disinformation and information attacks, and establishing joint campaigns between government entities and media outlets to raise public awareness.

Youth and the profession’s AI future: From a skills perspective, Al Qasimia University will host a Government Communication Talks session titled “A Glimpse into a Career Shaped by Compassion and Insight,” shedding light on the latest institutional training tools such as adaptive learning systems, virtual coaches, and learning analytics and how to employ them to improve quality of working life.

Speakers include Dr Hisham Abbas, Dean of the College of Communication at Al Qasimia University, Dr Bassam Elmakawi, Head of Mass Communication Department, and Dr Hala Hamdi Gharaba, Professor of Digital Media. The session will be moderated by Professor Atta Hassan Abdelrahim, Director of the Center for Continuing Education and Development at Al Qasimia University.

The Forum also paves the way for adolescents through the “AI Skills Challenge” organised by the Rubu’ Qarn Centre for Science and Technology. Running for three days, the challenge follows an interactive methodology — learn, think, execute, present.

Participants aged 10–16 will be trained by Muthanna Khalaf; Dr. Wedad Akkad; Abdulrahim Al Hashmi; Issa Al Manai; Hoor Saleh; Ahmed Al Jasmi; Abdullah Al Shaloubi; Abdulrahman Al Kamali; Zakaria Abdulrahman; Sultan Al-Qabidh; Mohammed Al Mazrouei; Hamza Qar’an; and Saeed Mohammed. The trainers will deliver specialised modules on AI tools, programming, robotics, 3D printing, and tech soft skills—and how to apply them in communication messages related to food security and quality of life.

“COMMS” — a comprehensive programme

To empower students and graduates with AI competencies, the “COMMS” programme featured the workshop “Specialised Media Content Utilising AI Technologies and Gen AI tools to Reach the Audiences” by Dr Mohamed Abdulzaher, member of the Academic Committee of SGMB, with a practical segment led by trainer Abdulrahman Al Ali from SGMB. This was followed by the Member of the Academic Committee of SGMB Dr Sheren Mousa’s workshop “Principles of Media Coverage for Government Events,” complemented by applied best practices from trainer Sumaya Arif. A third workshop, “Analysing Social Media Performance Using Artificial Intelligence,” was delivered by Dr. Elsayed Bekhit, Professor of Journalism and Media at Zayed University, with practical applications led by trainer Ismail Al Bloushi.