AURAK conference highlights AI, entrepreneurship

A number of global experts, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers across disciplines highlighted the need to integrate business management practices, entrepreneurship, and sustainable circular-economy principles at the 2nd International Conference.

The two-day conference themed “Disrupting for Good: AI, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Circular Economy” (AIECE) was hosted by the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) at its campus.

The goal of the conference was to explore how artificial intelligence, responsible entrepreneurship, and circular economy principles can shape a more sustainable and inclusive future through keynote speeches and masterclasses by international experts.

“AURAK is pleased to host this conference that addresses the intersection of three domains – AI, Entrepreneurship, and Circular Economy,” said Prof. Khalid Hussain, Provost of AURAK.

“The aim is to drive positive change, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance economic and social well-being by integrating AI, business management, entrepreneurship, and sustainable circular-economy practices.”

Prof. Tahseen Anwer Arshi, Associate Provost for Research and Sustainability, Dean of the School of Business at AURAK and Conference Chair, called for a shift from efficiency to ethics, from performance to purpose.

“We propose Circular-by-Design Intelligence in which AI systems are trained not only on profit, but on regeneration; algorithms that recognise carbon, waste, and social cost as real data; and business models where growth is decoupled from depletion.”

Among the keynote speakers, Prof. KC Santosh, Professor, Chair, and Director of the AI Lab at the University of South Dakota, USA, spoke on “Towards Carbon-Neutral Human AI” and provided insights into carbon footprints in large research institutions, including tech companies, and on building sustainable AI solutions and human ASI. He also touched on liquid neural networks and medical imaging tools.

Dr Jasmina Locke, CEO of Integrated Development Solutions Group (IDSG), UNWTO Expert and Auditor, delivered a keynote titled “Accelerating Systems Change for Circular Growth in the Age of AI,” highlighting how green talent demand is exceeding supply and stressing the need for reskilling and upskilling.

She said: “In the next decade, we can expect to see millions of new jobs created globally, driven by new climate policies and commitments, especially in renewables and the environment. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that green energy infrastructure alone will need to fill 14m new roles around the world by 2030.”