Innovation Arabia 12 continued at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 2^nd day, with a number of key panel discussions, debates, scientific sessions and lectures highlighting the impact of innovation in the Arab World while also focusing on the mega changes taking place in key sectors of our regional economies. Running under the theme ‘Building Smart Communities: Balancing Innovation, Change and Transformation’ Innovation Arabia 12 features discussions on 4 parallel tracks comprising Quality and Business Management, Smart Learning, Health and Environment and Artificial Intelligence, introduced for the first time.  Addressing the gathering on the 2^nd day of Innovation Arabia 12, Dr. Rana Hajjeh, Acting DPM, Director, WHO, commented on her topic ‘EMR Vision for Health: Innovation for better Health’, stating, “Firstly, I am indeed excited to be a part of Innovation Arabia 12, which is a meeting that is focusing on encouraging and stimulating innovations in the region to improve health in our region. On its part, The Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean EMR has set forth a new vision: ‘Health for all by All’ that aims at improving key strategic areas in health, including expanding universal health coverage, improving preparedness and response to emergencies and better health promotion. We do recognize that innovations are critical to reach and accelerate progress towards many of our objectives in the region relevant to these priorities.”

Dr. Rana added, “WHO is working closely with countries and partners to strengthen systems for better and earlier detection of communicable diseases (surveillance and laboratories), prevention activities, as well as better and more effective response, and improve human capacity and resources. In this regard, WHO and UAE are working closely together to strengthen systems and capacity to control and prevent communicable diseases and other important public health problems, including non-communicable diseases and environmental threats.”

Commenting on the debate topic Artificial Intelligence – A blessing or a curse for the Human Race, Dr. Hamad Al Awar, Expert in Forensic Gait Analysis at the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, UAE said, “ “I think this debate has been in discussion for many years in the past but it has been a concentrated debate for the last few years because of the evolution and the technology advancements that have happened in the field of AI, machine learning, deep learning and neural networks. I think this is the beginning of the fastest evolution we have seen in the human race for technologies such as AI and we as a human race in general should be aware of its benefits, of its limitations, where its heading and what the future ahead of us has in store.”

He added, “It is very important for us to have these gatherings in the field of innovation as it affects all the fields and I think the majority of innovations these days even in regards to IP’s registered, intellectual properties and patents registered, all have one thing or the other related to Artificial Intelligence. So, it’s very important to bring together the best minds and thinkers to discuss topics that are important to our society and to our human race overall”.

On the second day, under the Smart Learning Track, a Smart Learning Workshop was held under the title ‘Future Career Path Planning’, while a panel discussion addressed the key topic ‘Real World Experiences of Smart Health to Keep us Healthy’ where experts spoke at length about the impact of innovation on health and environment.

In addition, a debate under the Artificial Intelligence Track addressed ‘Artificial Intelligence: A Blessing or a Curse for the Future of Human Existence’ where industry insiders offered their insights and experiences on Artificial Intelligence and its impact on our daily lives.

Additionally, under the Quality and Business Management Track, a key session was held under the title ‘Creating the “Impact Community” to Foster Innovation Ecosystem in the UAE’ while a few other sessions were focused on ‘Re-visiting PERMA framework on the relationship between students’ happiness and higher education institutions’ and ‘Service Quality and Customers Satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in the Health and Environment Track, experts delivered their insights on ‘To Combat Childhood Obesity: Toward a Healthier UAE’ while a session on ‘Let’s Celebrate the Birth of ‘UAE AI Robot’: Zayed Robot’ was held under the Artificial Intelligence Track. In addition, experts discussed a few additional topics such as ‘Team Based Learning System Implementation at a Medical School and ‘Tobacco Smoking Prevention and discontinuance in Youths’ while a separate discussion under the Artificial Intelligence Track was held on ‘SOPHIA Robot from illusions to Inspiration’.

Furthermore, Innovation Arabia 12 continued with a number of scientific and educational activities to inspire and encourage creative thinking among students and industry professionals including the ‘Innovation Arabia Hub’ which provided young entrepreneurs, start-ups and SME’s a unique opportunity to exhibit their talent and showcase new creative ideas.

Among the new successful projects which were featured at Innovation Arabia Hub, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) entrepreneur Hibatallah Nabil Khawaja and founder of the online store Daisy, showcased how her online business creates and sells handmade personalized miniatures which allow customers to express their individuality, build their own product, imagine and get unique customized jewelry while at the same time treasure unique memories and enjoy a fun shopping experience.

In addition, 6 HBMSU entrepreneurs namely Fatima Al Saidi, Kholoud Haroon, Muna Ahmad, Sarah Zareei, Souzan Al Sayadi and Ahmad Al Falasi showcased a new innovative mobile barbershop ‘Barber on Wheels’ which goes to the customer’s doorstep instead of the other way around. Furthermore, Barber on Wheels is not only a van but also a mobile application powered by artificial intelligence. The app includes many features such as: booking the van, choosing the stylists based on others reviews and rating, provide the latest trends in hairstyles, and upload customers photos which enables the app to recommend the perfect style which suits the customer.

On the other hand, the ‘Youth Circle’ continued with a series of discussions on how students and youth leaders from various universities and colleges can take advantage of the Innovation Arabia 12 platform and find new innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the industry.

Innovation Arabia 12 Conference and Exhibition, is organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University in cooperation with INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding.