Officials and guests at the session yesterday.
Doha: The UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, in partnership with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Al Rayyan Municipality, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, yesterday hosted the concluding session of a regional initiative on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The talk was attended by youth, journalists, community leaders, and decision-makers from public, private, and civil society sectors across the Gulf States and Yemen.
This session marked the wrap-up of a series of three regional talks earlier this year, which targeted the public sector, private sector, and civil society. It brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders to synthesize insights, foster intergenerational dialogue, and co-create a shared roadmap for advancing MIL and responsible AI practices across the GCC and Yemen region.
In his opening remarks, Director of the Unesco Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, Salah Khaled emphasised the importance of inclusive and multi-sector engagement, stating: "In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the intersection of Media, Information Literacy, Journalism, and Artificial Intelligence has never been more critical. Each sector plays a unique role in adapting to these changes, ensuring accurate and trustworthy communication, and fostering intergenerational understanding.” During the session, participants examined the intersection of MIL and AI across sectors, developed strategies to enhance digital literacy, combat misinformation, and promote ethical AI use, and explored opportunities for youth-led initiatives and sector-specific policies.
Building on these discussions, participants contributed to a shared roadmap for MIL and AI, which outlines key strategies and practical recommendations for policymakers, institutions, and communities. The roadmap provides guidance on strengthening digital literacy, fostering cross-sector collaboration, promoting responsible AI use, and empowering youth and influencers to actively shape a resilient and inclusive media ecosystem.
