
Culture Summit Abu Dhabi explores confluence of technology, humanity
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The seventh edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, a global platform exploring the intersection between culture, technology, and global governance, is witnessing wide participation of thought leaders, policymakers, celebrated artists, and creative innovators from across the world.Held at Abu Dhabi's cultural hotspot Manarat Al Saadiyat under the theme "Culture for Humanity and Beyond", the event aims to foster novel approaches on reimagining tomorrow.Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the summit runs until Tuesday.Speaking to Aletihad, speakers highlighted the emerging trends in the cultural landscape, especially the rise of artificial intelligence, and Abu Dhabi's role as global cultural hub.Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture of India, said discussions centred around the growing impact of artificial intelligence, where participants expressed their concerns while also welcoming the accompanying opportunities, and the important role of culture in fostering global peace."Culture is the only thing which can resolve geopolitical gaps, bring us closer together, and establish peace," Shekhawat told Aletihad.Regarding India's participation, Shekhawat said: "India has been a member of the G20 cultural group and the UNESCO cultural team for many years. Since their inception, we have been part of them. And India, being such a diverse country - with its many cultures, crafts, cuisines, music, and all possible verticals - has a lot to contribute."Glenn Lowry, Director of New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), highlighted the role of AI in the museum sector."I'm going to talk about artificial intelligence in the museum space. I'm interested in the way museums are places of imagination - not just of objects or architecture," he said."I want to show how AI can be a partner in the creation of art, not a problem," he added.Underscoring the importance of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, he noted that the event offers 'an incredible opportunity to bring people together to think out loud and exchange ideas"."We need to remember to talk and learn from each other. Art and culture are among the most powerful ways to share ideas.""Abu Dhabi is an amazing place that brings people from all over the world together in an atmosphere grounded in culture. This is a place of rich global conversation."Kinan Azmeh, a composer, who is attending the summit for the first time, valued Abu Dhabi's efforts to bring global cultures together.For Azmeh, music is a tool to communicate and build understanding between people."Investing in culture is maybe the best human investment. Scientific advances are great, but they stand short without human expression," he added.Prof. Iyad Rahwan, director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, praised Abu Dhabi's role as a major player both in artificial intelligence and cultural curation."It is ideally positioned where technology and culture can coalesce - from music to visual arts," he said."Abu Dhabi also shows how tradition and modernity can be reconciled. Tradition gives strength as we move forward, and you can feel that walking among its cultural institutions," he added.Moving to the role of emerging tech, he described AI as "a cultural technology first before anything else"."We used to preserve culture orally, then through writing and printing. Artificial intelligence is a monumental new technology that changes preservation - it can capture how a person speaks, paints, or writes poetry."
Rowdha Alsayegh, creative director and storyteller, said the event's focus on humanity shows that, even with AI's rise, "culture is about human essence, not just technology".
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UAE Moments
2 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Fans Disappointed With the Stereotypes in the Trailer of 'Param Sundari'
The recently released trailer for Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, quickly ignited backlash—not for its romance, but for its reliance on time-worn stereotypes about Malayali culture. Within just forty seconds, the film's portrayal drew sharp criticism from fans and creators who demanded better accuracy and diversity from Bollywood's cultural depictions. Janhvi Kapoor's character introduces herself with a stereotypical long-winded Malayalam name, 'Thekappatil Sundari Damodaran Pillai,' combining place and name in a way that many view as antiquated and unrealistic. The trailer continues with clichéd sequences of Mohiniyattam dance, backwater boating, coconut-tree climbing, and Kalaripayattu martial arts—suggesting Malayalees are permanently stuck in these tropes. Malayalam singer and presenter Pavithra Menon also joined the chorus of criticism. She questioned why a non-Malayalee was cast to play such a culturally rooted character and attacked Janhvi's accent and attire as forced and inauthentic. Her Instagram commentary was briefly removed due to a copyright claim, but she reposted it, pointing out the blatant misrepresentation and demanding accountability. Even critics not from Kerala chimed in. In The Indian Express, Rohan Manoj noted that the trailer's name, Thekkappetta Sundari ("dumped beauty"), unintentionally becomes a punchline—reflecting poor script choices. He also took aim at the film's superficial geography tour, calling attention to the repeated cinematic pattern of exoticizing Kerala rather than portraying real life.


UAE Moments
2 hours ago
- UAE Moments
First Posters of Ayushmann Khurrana's 'Thama' Revealed
The thriller-romantic comedy Thama has just taken a major step forward, with Maddock Films unveiling its first character posters ahead of the film's teaser release. The highly anticipated new installment in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe drops its first visual treats, offering fans a haunting preview of what's to come. Ayushmann Khurrana appears as Alok, a brooding vampire introduced as "Insaaniyat ki aakhri umeed" (humanity's last hope), blending intensity and mystery in one frame. Opposing him visually and thematically, Rashmika Mandanna is presented as Tadaka, "Roshni ki ek hi pehli kiran" (the first ray of light), emanating brightness and strength in a strikingly medieval avatar. In a chilling departure, Nawazuddin Siddiqui transforms into Yakshasan, titled the "Andhere ka Badshah" (king of darkness), complete with long, bat-like hair and a sinister presence, concretizing his role as the story's shadowy antagonist. Bringing a touch of sardonic levity, Paresh Rawal takes on Mr. Ram Bajaj Goyal, a character perpetually seeking tragedy even in comedy, adding a nuanced, dry humor to the ensemble. This announcement arrives just before The World of Thama teaser is set to be unveiled on August 19 at 11:11 a.m. (Indian time), building even more suspense. The film is scheduled for a Diwali 2025 release, offering fans a 'bloody love story' promised to redefine the genre with a unique blend of horror, romance, and comedy. As the next entry in the celebrated Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe, which includes hits like Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya, Thama positions itself as a bold addition, melding vampire mythology, romance, and dark humor in a way that promises fresh thrills and emotional depth. With its captivating poster campaign, star-studded cast, and looming teaser drop, Thama is fast becoming one of Bollywood's most intriguing upcoming releases—one that fans can't afford to miss this Diwali.


Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Flying taxi services closer as Archer, Joby complete first and longest piloted flights
Flying taxi services in the UAE have moved a step closer to reality, as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation successfully completed their first and longest piloted flights. Joby Aviation signed a definitive agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in February 2024 to launch air taxi services in Dubai by 2026. Meanwhile, Archer Aviation has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to introduce flying taxi services in Abu Dhabi. Both companies are expected to roll out their services later this year or next year. On Monday, Archer announced that its Midnight aircraft successfully completed its longest piloted flight to date, covering approximately 55 miles in 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126mph. The flight took place at Archer's flight test facility in Salinas, California. Test flights in the preceding week reached speeds of nearly 150mph over a variety of patterns. This latest achievement advances toward certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US and near-term commercialisation in the UAE. 'Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialisation that shows the maturity of our programme,' said Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and CEO. Midnight flight test pilots will continue to expand speed and duration, and test mission profiles that map to early commercial operations in the UAE. US-based Archer Aviation last week said it would expand on its in-country operations in the UAE, including pilot training, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) setup and flight testing to gather additional data for certification and commercialisation plans in the UAE and the US over the coming quarters. Joby's successful piloted flight Meanwhile, Joby Aviation said it successfully completed its first piloted flight between two US airports in controlled airspace. Set to launch its commercial flying taxi service in Dubai in the first half of 2026, Joby's piloted flight lasted approximately 12 minutes over 10 nautical miles. It included five minutes in a holding pattern for air traffic spacing, reflecting the progress the electric air taxi firm is making toward securing approval from the US regulator to launch commercial service. In February 2024, Joby Aviation signed a definitive agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in 2026. RTA and Joby also partnered with Skyports for the construction of vertiports. Joby's piloted flight follows a previous successful test flight at its facility at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham, along the Dubai–Al Ain Road, in June 2025. The aircraft completed several loops over the facility and surrounding desert. The US company operated the flight in airspace controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), between Marina (OAR) and Monterey (MRY) airports in California. 'Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated into the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we're prepared for service on day one,' said Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft development and manufacturing at Joby. 'For years, our flight testing has validated our aircraft's capabilities, and we've done this across a wide range of environmental conditions.' Joby recently began the final assembly of its first aircraft for Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA) flight testing – one of the last major steps in FAA certification. The company plans to begin flight testing with FAA pilots early next year. Following certification, Joby aims to launch commercial service in the US, starting in Los Angeles and New York City.