GCC chief receives newly appointed Omani ambassador to Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The sixth Jusoor exhibition, organized by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Islamic Affairs at Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, Kosovo, is attracting a large number of visitors daily.
The exhibition's introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality.
The technology pavilion at the 10-day event has attracted significant interest for its modern digital innovations highlighting the Kingdom's technical progress, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
It includes several ministry-developed applications, notably the Correct Citation app, which features a smart keyboard that accurately integrates Qur'anic verses and Prophetic hadiths, and allows them to be shared as text or images.
The 3D Hajj and Umrah app offers a virtual experience simulating pilgrimage rituals in multiple languages, while the Rushd app provides a comprehensive digital library with books and Islamic content in 51 languages.
Attendees praised the Kingdom's efforts in serving Islam and promoting moderation, the SPA reported.
Visitors also received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, and its role in serving pilgrims.
Additionally, VR technology allows visitors to explore rare photos of Makkah and historic mosques, offering an engaging interactive experience of the Kingdom's history and holy sites.
The ministry recently concluded the fifth Jusoor exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, which welcomed more than 1.25 million visitors from diverse backgrounds.
The 10-day exhibition at Istiqlal Mosque was one of the largest cultural and advocacy events organized by the ministry outside the Kingdom.
Saudi officials also distributed more than 150,000 copies of Qur'an, printed and translated into Indonesian by the King Fahd Qur'an Printing Complex in Madinah.
Indonesian visitors praised the exhibition for its blend of spiritual and cultural themes, strong organization, and diverse, informative content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Jeddah's first ‘AI lab' to boost innovation
JEDDAH: Jeddah launched its first 'artificial intelligence laboratory' on Friday, a groundbreaking program designed to accelerate the growth of local entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. The Start Smart Entrepreneurship Center is spearheading the initiative with backing from the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation. The comprehensive program creates an immersive environment where startup founders, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can harness AI technologies to transform their ventures, SPA reported. The lab establishes a dynamic networking hub connecting participants with innovation hubs, business accelerators, service providers and successful graduates from previous Start Smart cohorts. The laboratory operates through three pathways. Professional practitioners lead 'enrichment encounters,' sharing insights on implementing AI solutions across various industries. The 'technology toolkit' component provides intensive workshops where industry experts guide participants through practical AI applications tailored for startup development. A 'mentor connect' service offers one-on-one consultations with experienced business leaders, enabling participants to tap into proven strategies and learn from both successes and setbacks in the entrepreneurial journey, SPA reported.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AI Lab Opens in Jeddah to Empower Entrepreneurs
The inaugural AI Lab, a collaboration between the StartSmart Entrepreneurship Center and Community Jameel, has launched in Jeddah, aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and startups to enhance their businesses by exploring smart solutions in an innovative environment. The program offers a range of activities, including sessions with professionals on implementing AI through real-world applications and expert-led mentorship, SPA reported. Participants engage in practical exercises to develop their startups using AI. The lab also provides opportunities for visitors to receive specialized advice and learn from the experiences of seasoned entrepreneurs. This initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to support entrepreneurship, increase the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the national economy, and promote digital transformation.
Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
WPP Media's MENA CEO on multinational group's AI-centric approach
Multinational advertising network WPP's media-investment business GroupM at the end of May announced its rebranding to WPP Media, signaling a new era for the network and its clients. WPP Media manages more than $60 billion in annual media investment and works with more than 75 percent of the world's leading advertisers in more than 80 markets, the company said. Arab News spoke with Amer El Hajj, Middle East and North Africa CEO of WPP Media, to understand how the rebrand is being implemented and what its implications are for the group and its clients, particularly in the MENA region. The rebrand represents 'a fundamental shift from GroupM to WPP Media, reflecting our evolution into a fully integrated, AI-powered media company,' he said. Along with a new visual identity, the key change 'is deeper integration across our agencies through WPP Open, enabling seamless collaboration between media, data, production, and creative teams to deliver personalized solutions at scale,' he added. GroupM comprised three agencies: Mindshare, Wavemaker, and Essence Mediacom. These agencies will now serve as 'homes for dedicated client teams' representing a shift from 'separate agency P&Ls (profit and loss statements) … to integrated client service teams that share technology, data, and operational functions while maintaining brand names and identities for client relationships,' El Hajj explained. Commenting on the timing of the rebrand, he said: 'GroupM was built for an era when media scale mattered most. 'Today's reality is different — we're in the AI era where media is everywhere and in everything.' Clients, too, demand integrated capabilities covering media, production, and technology, and so, the rebrand aims to reflect this new landscape, 'emphasizing our AI-driven approach' and integration with WPP's 'creative and technology ecosystem.' Organizations in many industries are adopting AI at an accelerating pace and the advertising and media industry is no exception. One report found that in the US alone, 91 percent of advertising agencies are either currently using (61 percent) generative AI or exploring use cases (30 percent) for the technology. For WPP Media, being 'AI-driven' means embedding AI throughout its operations, El Hajj said. These include tasks such as analyzing vast data sets for deeper consumer understanding, automating media buying for greater efficiency, personalizing creative content in large volumes, and predicting campaign performance, he said. The role of AI in planning, buying and optimizing media campaigns enables 'real-time bidding, audience prediction, and creative personalization at unprecedented scale,' he said. Moreover, generative AI helps write advertising copy and even create multiple content variations, in addition to generating insights from complex data. AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool, but ultimately, it remains just that: a tool. 'It's not about replacing human creativity but amplifying it,' El Hajj said. 'AI enhances rather than threatens human talent' by handling monotonous tasks that free up people for strategic thinking, relationship building, and creative problem-solving, he added. The core tenet of the rebrand — widespread AI adoption — is made possible by WPP Open, the network's AI-enabled marketing operating system that connects all capabilities through one platform. The platform features real-time data and is available to employees of all agencies. This means that data about the performance of adverts can be used to optimize creative production of those ads in real time. Similarly, media targeting decisions by one agency can be made instantly based on creative insights from another agency within the company. 'This integration eliminates traditional silos, accelerates campaign development, and ensures all client touchpoints are coordinated and data-driven rather than operating independently,' El Hajj said. The move comes at a time when clients in the MENA region are 'increasingly sophisticated in AI adoption, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where Vision 2030 and digital transformation initiatives drive innovation.' Contrary to what some believe, El Hajj said, 'many regional clients are actually ahead of some global counterparts in embracing AI for customer experience and operational efficiency.' In Saudi Arabia specifically, he said, the rebrand 'positions us perfectly to capitalize on the Kingdom's unprecedented AI investment landscape,' building on Saudi's $100 billion AI initiative announced late last year. When it comes to dealing with clients in the region, the group has a 'globally powered, locally rooted' approach, as regional clients 'want AI capabilities but implemented with deep understanding of local markets, languages, and cultural nuances,' he said. The restructure is expected to affect 40 percent to 45 percent of GroupM's workforce, which does not necessarily imply layoffs, but rather changes to team structures, according to media reports. El Hajj said that the company is 'heavily investing' in upskilling talent for 'AI-powered marketing' while recruiting specialists in areas like data science and integrated commerce. The company has developed internal training programs targeting different organizational levels. It also provides AI literacy sessions and hands-on training with WPP Open tools for all employees. In the MENA region, WPP Media is creating region-specific modules that address 'local market dynamics and cultural considerations' for employees at all seniority levels, he said. El Hajj added: 'The focus is on evolution, not revolution,' and the future belongs to those 'who can leverage AI tools while bringing uniquely human skills like cultural intelligence and strategic creativity.'
