KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25: Dr. Yaqoub Al-Kandari, the head of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center, emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is a bridge connecting various branches of knowledge, a tool for innovation, and a fundamental pillar of the desired development that cannot be achieved without it in today's world.

Dr. Al-Kandari made these remarks in his speech on Monday during the opening of the 51st International Conference titled "Issues of the Gulf Society in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Development Prospects". The conference is being organized by the International Organization for Women Empowerment and Capacity Building (Tamkeen) in collaboration with the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center.

Al-Kandari explained that the conference will focus on the latest developments and technologies in AI that benefit all fields of science, including social, behavioral, and human sciences, over its three-day sessions. He noted that the conference will feature over 20 scientific papers, a variety of working papers, and a discussion panel, with the hope that the event will result in recommendations that can assist decision-makers and foster the exchange of ideas and opinions. This, he said, would contribute to intellectual growth in the field.

He further stated that AI has become a vital driver of progress and development in the information and technology age. It has expanded beyond natural, scientific, and medical sciences to encompass social, human, and behavioral sciences, as well as various fields of art and literature.

Dr. Al-Kandari stressed the center's commitment to staying at the forefront of prominent scientific issues, bringing them to discussion, and offering sound academic opinions in cooperation with the International Organization for Women Empowerment and Capacity Building. This partnership also involves Abdullah Al-Salem University in organizing this scientific conference.

In her speech, Ibtisam Al-Qaoud, head of the Tamkeen Organization, highlighted that the conference brings together academic and social expertise from countries with experience in using AI in education and social responsibility. The goal is to share these successful experiences with the community and benefit from them.

Al-Qaoud also acknowledged the collaboration between Kuwait University, Abdullah Al-Salem University, and the National Society for Combating Community Violence as a pioneering example of fruitful cooperation between governmental institutions and civil society centers for community development, particularly in the field of youth empowerment.