Artificial Intelligence to Take Center Stage at World Government Summit in Dubai

Chairman of the World Government Summit (WGS) Organization Mohammad al-Gergawi during a press conference held to reveal the summit's themes last January. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the World Government Summit (WGS) Organization Mohammad al-Gergawi during a press conference held to reveal the summit's themes last January. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Artificial Intelligence to Take Center Stage at World Government Summit in Dubai

Chairman of the World Government Summit (WGS) Organization Mohammad al-Gergawi during a press conference held to reveal the summit's themes last January. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the World Government Summit (WGS) Organization Mohammad al-Gergawi during a press conference held to reveal the summit's themes last January. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Artificial Intelligence and the next frontiers are among the main themes addressed by the upcoming World Government Summit 2024, held in Dubai on February 12-14, due to its profound impact across various key sectors and the potential major transformation it could bring to communities worldwide.

The WGS will host more than 100 personalities and leaders of giant AI companies and will bring together business owners, AI experts and major players, alongside government leaders in meetings that aim to result in solutions that empower governments to keep pace with AI developments and be fully prepared to deal with its challenges and utilize its great potential.

Such meetings also aim to create frameworks to face AI challenges through dialogue and partnerships, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The list of WGS attendees also includes a host of top experts, CEOs and founders of major AI, advanced technology, and smart applications companies, and pioneers of AI integration.

The Summit agenda is full of sessions, workshops, and side events addressing the various aspects of AI and its applications. The Artificial Intelligence Forum will act as a catalyst for international cooperation and multi-sector partnerships, further driving responsible AI-centric progress for the benefit of all communities.

The Forum looks into reaching a global consensus on developing and adopting principles of responsible AI by launching global dialogues that bring together private and public sector officials. It also addresses enhancing AI capabilities by developing education and infrastructure sectors and formulating future policies.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.