Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is hosting the "4th International Conference on the Present and Future of Communication, Media and the AI Revolution" at Sultan Qaboos University. The opening ceremony took place under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information.
The three-day event features over 60 scholarly papers discussing the philosophical frameworks and practical applications of artificial intelligence in communication and media, both in the Arab region and globally. Topics include the challenges posed by AI in media, media education, training programs, and the future of the media industry.
Dr. Abdullah highlighted the transformative impact of AI on various aspects of life, especially in content creation and media jobs. While acknowledging potential negative consequences, he noted that AI could also generate new job opportunities and enhance media institutions' understanding of audience trends through the analysis of big data.
The conference coincides with two significant events: the 50th anniversary of Oman TV's broadcasting, which began on November 17, 1974, and the implementation of Oman Media Law aimed at balancing freedoms and responsibilities in media practices.
Dr. Abdullah Khamis Al Kindi, Chairman of the Conference's Preparatory Committee, indicated that the market for AI applications in the media sector is projected to grow from $10 billion in 2022 to over $30 billion by 2030. He also noted that approximately 80% of social media users are influenced by AI algorithms in content allocation, with about 70% of global media institutions increasing their reliance on AI for audience interaction analysis and content production efficiency.
The conference aims to enhance research efforts in media and communication within the context of the ongoing AI revolution and to address its future challenges.