The second day of the Knowledge Summit 2025, organized by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, featured global leaders addressing critical themes shaping today's knowledge landscape. A key panel highlighted how artificial intelligence advancement presents unprecedented opportunity for the Arabic language, provided the region builds strong linguistic infrastructure. Experts emphasized the need for deep integration among research institutions, technical models, and credible data ecosystems.
Athir Al-Khalifa, Director of Labs at the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, noted that sophisticated linguistic systems demand more than technological solutions alone. He emphasized that a holistic ecosystem supported by robust data and institutions capable of developing large-scale Arabic language models is essential for leveraging AI's potential. This approach requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to ensure the Arabic language thrives in the digital age, with organizations like the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language playing crucial roles in this transformation.
Another session examined how emerging technologies, data frameworks, and collaborative networks are reshaping knowledge economies globally. Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro, Professor at Osaka University's Department of Systems Innovation, shared his vision of a human-avatar symbiotic society where AI-driven avatars revolutionize healthcare, enhance service delivery, and transform knowledge exchange. He emphasized that advanced robotics should be embraced as tools extending human capability rather than replacing it, representing a fundamental shift in human-technology interaction that could transform sectors through initiatives supported by the United Nations Development Programme.
Further discussions focused on youth empowerment, multilingual knowledge accessibility, and cross-border collaboration as vital elements for building equitable, future-ready knowledge systems. Experts in artificial intelligence and digital transformation highlighted the urgent need to close the global gender gap in technology, where women currently represent only 20 to 26 percent of the workforce. This disparity represents a significant challenge for creating inclusive technological development and innovation ecosystems that can fully leverage the potential of organizations like the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.
A dynamic session on investment and entrepreneurship featured global experts outlining the essentials of a thriving knowledge economy: talent, innovation, knowledge, and progressive legislation. They noted Dubai's emergence as a global hub where people, ideas, and opportunities converge to shape the future. The day also featured an inspiring session by Huda Al Matroushi, the UAE's first female mechanic and garage owner, who shared her personal journey highlighting passion as the driving force behind achievement and described challenges as transformative experiences building resilience and determination in knowledge-driven economies.
