RIYADH: The future of diplomacy, AI, entertainment and fashion were hot topics in Riyadh on Wednesday as the Saudi Media Forum marked its closing day.
The forum, together with the accompanying FOMEX exhibition, saw packed audiences, and featured ambassadors, entertainment officials, TV hosts as well as distinguished journalists.
A panel involving the Thai, British, Belgian, Djiboutian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia saw discussion on the future of diplomacy.
UK Envoy Neil Crompton said: “The world has become more complex in the past decade, especially as some countries reject the old world order, and Saudi Arabia has flexibility in adapting to transformation and change.”
Thai Ambassador Darm Boontham added: “Diplomacy serves as a fortress to prevent conflicts and enhances the values of human coexistence among nations.”
Saudi General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh held a talk with co-founder and CEO of Merwas, Nada Al-Tuwaijri, on the art of entertainment in the Kingdom. Alan Lewis, NEOM’s head of operations for media talent, hosted a workshop detailing the century-long transformation of film production.
Elsewhere, Egyptian TV host Amr Adeeb, one of the best-known faces in Arab media, recounted his experiences working on the MBC show “Al-Hekaya,” and spoke about psychology of the masses.
Adeeb was recently granted Saudi citizenship, which he described as an honor: “I felt honored and appreciated after obtaining Saudi citizenship, especially since the Kingdom chose the individuals it honored.”
AI and technology proved the talk of the town in Riyadh during the two-day forum. During a panel moderated by Arab News’ Noor Nugali, titled “Facing Challenges in Transcontinental Media Management,” Vice President of the European Journalists Association Javier Arribas said: “We need to benefit from today’s journalistic experiences, integrating interesting information to enhance the role of genuine media and preventing the spread of misinformation.”
Juan Senor, president of UK-based Innovation Media Consulting Group, discussed technology’s influence on the newsroom, highlighting AI as a key factor in developing the industry.
“Artificial intelligence cannot find the news, but it may assist in the publishing processes, and this technology can help in disseminating urgent news,” he said.
War correspondent Mohammed Al-Arab, who has worked in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Morocco, shared stories from his decades-long career operating in some of the world’s most dangerous environments.
“I came in through Saada and lived through many battles and witnessed the chaos and division in Yemen,” he said.
