Future Investment Initiative Calls for Taking Advantage of AI to Address Global Challenges

Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative, addresses robots during one of the conference sessions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative, addresses robots during one of the conference sessions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Future Investment Initiative Calls for Taking Advantage of AI to Address Global Challenges

Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative, addresses robots during one of the conference sessions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative, addresses robots during one of the conference sessions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) called for taking advantage of Artificial Intelligence in facing challenges, and to benefit from the rapid transformation in various sectors of the global economy.

The 7th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute concluded on Thursday in Riyadh, with participants emphasizing the importance of AI in providing promising solutions to address economic challenges, especially in light of the potential to enhance productivity and enable data-based decision-making to promote economic growth.

Speakers at the event called for the need for governments and organizations to invest in AI, especially in education and training, in order to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the changing career landscape. They also highlighted the necessity to develop regulatory frameworks to address ethical concerns and guarantee the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The three-day forum, which opened its seventh edition on Tuesday under the title, The New Compass, was attended by around 6,000 participants from more than 90 countries, and 500 speakers from different sectors inside and outside the Kingdom. Among its objectives was to highlight possible solutions for economic challenges and rely on the optimal use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, in order to advance global economies.

During a session entitled, The Next Era of Investment in the Middle East, Daniel Loeb, CEO and founder of Third Point, said that 10 percent of businesses in Saudi Arabia are growing at a double-digit rate, which he described as “exciting and not to be underestimated.”

Hong Namkoong, the CEO of the Korean Samsung Engineering Company, stressed that artificial intelligence will come to complement human work.

For his part, Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative, addressed “Sophia,” the first human-like robot, in one of the sessions on the last day of the conference.

Attias asked “Sophia” what she believes about the ability of artificial intelligence and robots to help humans. The robot replied that she had worked to help many people on various global issues and challenges, with a focus on enhancing health policies using technology.

She added that innovation always comes with risks, stressing that technology will greatly help in providing economic opportunities.

Attias revealed that the next edition of the Future Investment Initiative will be held in Hong Kong in December.

“We aspire to focus on many issues related to humanity. We will also be present in Asia, Europe and America,” he said.



Egypt’s Tourism Minister: Stability, Trust Are Driving Sector Growth

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt’s Tourism Minister: Stability, Trust Are Driving Sector Growth

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, has underscored that political stability and decades of built-up trust among international travelers are critical to the continued growth of Egypt’s tourism sector, even amid regional geopolitical challenges.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Fathy said Egypt has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of crises, recovering rapidly and reinforcing its status as a reliable destination.

“This isn’t coincidental,” he said. “It’s the outcome of long-term institutional planning led by the state, supported by strategic marketing and growing investment in infrastructure and hotel services.”

Fathy acknowledged intensifying competition among regional destinations but described it as both “healthy and necessary,” adding that it does not preclude deeper collaboration. He revealed recent talks with Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism that laid the groundwork for joint tourism programs, allowing Arab and foreign travelers to explore multiple destinations through a single package.

“We’re also collaborating with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan,” he said. “We believe a coordinated Arab approach can offer travelers a richer, more integrated experience, with each country contributing its strengths.”

While such initiatives may not immediately deliver major numbers, he said they elevate the overall value of the visitor experience and expand market potential over time.

The minister pointed to Egypt’s diverse tourism portfolio as a unique competitive advantage. “We offer a distinctive product that blends Pharaonic heritage, Coptic and Islamic antiquities, beach and desert tourism, and luxury resort destinations like Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, and the North Coast,” he said.

He also highlighted the ministry’s adoption of cutting-edge digital marketing tools, including AI-driven campaigns aimed at European markets that garnered over 100 million views within days. This, he said, boosted global awareness of Egypt as a safe, diverse destination.

Fathy emphasized the government’s focus on empowering the private sector, which he described as the engine behind tourism growth. “We don’t organize tourist itineraries - we create a competitive environment and raise service standards,” he noted.

He pointed to steady improvements in service quality across airports, hotels, and attractions, and rejected the idea that overcrowding poses a significant challenge, particularly when compared to other popular destinations.

Looking ahead, Fathy projected that Egypt could see an 8% increase in tourist arrivals in 2025, building on a strong first quarter that saw year-on-year growth of 25%. He said maintaining stability and global purchasing power would be key to sustaining momentum.