Role of AI in preserving national identity explored

Ways to design for human well-being in future and how well we can make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in preserving national identity were two subjects in focus at the Design Muscat 2024, an interdisciplinary space for debate and international networking in art and design to preserve national identity through hybrid presentations and interactive workshops, recently.

Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, opened the first day of the Design Muscat 2024, which dedicated a session to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in preserving national identity and how well we can put AI concepts in to practice.

The absence of experience faced during the pandemic continues to remind people on how valuable human interaction is and how critical spaces are in enriching lives. The Scientific College of Design (SCD) has been a hub for Omani art and design innovation, which provides space, and a platform for the college and its learning programmes.

The dedicated Art and Design Innovation Hub has been empowering staff, students, and the public to engage with inspirational art experiences that help them understand how they can convert emotions into wisdom to manage their lives better with greater calm and greater connection.

"Events of this grandeur, enhancing engagement and brainstorming sessions are crucial in supporting the national strategy of a creative world and Design Muscat 2024, which is backed up by the global narratives, case studies, challenges, and policy recommendations through the experiences of practitioners, research of academics and innovations of designers can help in formulating usage of designs for a better world," said Dr Khamis al Balushi, Chairman of Board of Trustees.

The first day focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the creative industries; ethical use of AI in producing artworks, integrating AI in academic programmes and its repercussions, governmental strategies and support for incorporating technologies, designing Muscat as a smart sustainable city, and case studies from Italy and Egypt. All sessions of the 3-day were dedicated to the productive use of Artificial Intelligence.

"We welcomed over 850 participants out of which 100 were international, such as Italy, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Jordan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to the Design Muscat," said Mona Kamal Ismail, Dean of the SCD.

She said there were representatives from the Ministries of Housing, Transportation, Communication and Information Technology, Tourism and Heritage, Culture, Sports, and Youth, as well as the members of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit.

Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism opened the 2nd day of the symposium which was aimed at those in the creative industries of a variety of roles to share tangible, real-world actions towards preserving national identity. The symposium included an overview of the Oman Society of Engineers; highlights of the Sustainable City Yiti, New perspectives of sustainability in Italy, The architectural and urban regeneration of Doha. Discussion on cultural heritage as an opportunity for urban regeneration, innovation and design, design solutions incorporating the local identity, also included sustainable materials in the Omani market.

Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture inaugurated the third day, which focused on the practices of the creative industries. The role of the Youth Centre as an incubator for the creative industries, an overview of Oman Design Association, a photography presentation showcasing Oman’s deserts; the strategies of Bait Al Zubair in preserving the national identity, and initiation of business ventures in the creative industries were in focus.

“We have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Campania in Italy to exchange expertise, student exchange, mutual support in research and exhibitions while as many as 84 presentations from international and national artists and designers and five panel discussions by keynote speakers, two exhibitions of students and professional artists, and thirty-four workshops were conducted a part of the Design Muscat,” said Dr Rahma al Rashdi, Head of Visual Arts Department, and head of organising committee Design Muscat 2024.