Bahrain International e-Government Forum explores AI’s role in shaping social network

TDT | Manama                                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

The 10th edition of the Bahrain International e-Government Forum, a significant gathering focused on technology and innovation, commenced yesterday at the Bahrain Exhibition World, Shakir.

This year’s forum, themed around the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping our social network, promises to delve into the dynamic world of technology and its profound impact on society.

Renowned speakers and experts from various fields have come together to share their insights, experiences, and visions regarding the transformative power of AI. Among them, Ms. Nina Schick, an author, entrepreneur, and specialised advisor in Generative AI, shed light on the intriguing concept of intelligent meets social ethicist.

She emphasised the growing attention AI and generative AI have been receiving recently.

Novel approach

Ms. Schick delineated the distinction between traditional AI and generative AI, explaining that while traditional AI is primarily concerned with labeling or characterising existing data, generative AI is focused on creating new data.

This novel approach to AI can be applied to any human creator or intelligent endeavor, opening up a world of possibilities.

“To give a quick example of the fast-moving AI landscape, foundational models have emerged. These models, trained on massive datasets encompassing the entirety of the internet, possess general-purpose capabilities and can be fine-tuned for multiple tasks. Humans are now their new programming language, meaning we can ask them to do anything, and they will deliver,” Ms. Schick explained.

She further pointed out the transformative potential of AI in the realm of social media, stating that AI-generated content is poised to revolutionize our online experiences. However, this also poses a challenge when it comes to information integrity.

With the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content, it becomes difficult to discern what is real and what is AI-generated.

Emotional content

Another distinguished panelist, Mr. Paul Kelly, CEO of SILA INSIGHTS based in Dubai, highlighted the importance of leveraging AI to better understand people and their emotional content.

By harnessing AI capabilities, organisations can gain valuable insights into individual preferences and backgrounds, enabling them to deliver tailored services.

“While having powerful technology is undoubtedly a great advantage, it also comes with great responsibility. With AI, we can comprehend societal expectations and address them effectively.

“It’s not just about delivering content on social media or running campaigns; it’s about understanding and serving the needs of residents. By analysing trends, identifying driving forces, and assessing the perception of daily life, we can adapt to changing labour forces and create meaningful change,” Mr. Kelly stated.

Enhancing communication

Lastly, Mr. Ali Sabkar, Global Chairman of the Social Media Club Inc., emphasised that AI has the potential to enhance communication not only for governments but also for all organisations seeking to engage with their target audiences. He highlighted the fact that around 60 to 70 percent of social media users belong to the younger generation.