AI Design Sprint MENA empowers media professionals with AI Tools

The AI Design Sprint MENA programme, a collaborative effort by the Google News Initiative (GNI), FT Strategies, the UAE Media Council, and the Saudi Ministry of Media, recently concluded with great success in Dubai.

The event, held at Google's Innovation Hub in Dubai Internet City, aimed to help media professionals across the MENA region enhance their operations by leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence.

The programme featured a series of specialised workshops and discussions led by experts from FT Strategies, focusing on the practical application of AI in media. The workshops were designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to harness AI for innovation, efficiency, and growth in their media organizations.

The event attracted leading figures from the media industry, including Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy at the UAE Media Council.

Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi expressed her appreciation for the partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Media, Google, and FT Strategies, emphasising that the programme aligned with the UAE Media Council's vision of fostering innovation and digital transformation within the region’s media sector.

She noted that the event was a significant step towards empowering media professionals with the skills and insights needed to navigate the evolving media landscape confidently.

The workshops addressed both the opportunities AI offers and the risks associated with its integration into media operations. Participants were encouraged to explore AI use cases, assess their impact, and develop tailored strategies for implementing AI solutions in their organisations.

The focus was on designing innovative AI-driven solutions that can enhance business growth, improve content creation, and streamline newsroom operations.

The AI Design Sprint MENA programme is part of a larger effort to foster a sustainable, innovative media ecosystem across the region, with a focus on strengthening the capacity of local and regional media institutions.

This collaborative initiative is expected to pave the way for more AI-driven solutions that will transform the media landscape, making it more adaptable, efficient, and forward-thinking.