TRENDS Research & Advisory participated in an Interactive Workshop «Change Makers.. Values Inspire Tomorrow» organized by the Federal Youth Authority and Solutions+ Youth Council, to mark International Youth Day. Eissa Al Mannai, a TRENDS researcher specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI), discussed the role of youth in using AI technologies to serve communities, demonstrate leadership, and support sustainable development efforts.

Eissa Al Mannai emphasized that young people could use AI to develop innovative solutions to social and environmental problems, such as smart water desalination systems and improved energy efficiency. They can develop practical educational and training tools to enhance the quality of education. They can also create advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools and improve community engagement through interactive platforms that foster participation and active communication between individuals and institutions.

AI Agents

Al Mannai stated that today’s youth are full of creativity and skills that can be applied in every aspect of life, whether at work, during travel, or at home. Discussions earlier focused on large language models, but societies are now entering a new phase in which individuals are empowered to use AI in innovative ways. He cited a recent event in a Stanford laboratory, where 92 AI agents collaborated to design treatments for new strains of the coronavirus. Human intervention in the process accounted for less than one percent. If we assume specialized humans carried out the work, it would require several months to complete.

That shows AI today is not just a supporting tool, but a true partner in achieving and advancing progress, as we have been able to invest in AI technologies and human skills capable of using them, so that the future will be more secure and advanced. The UAE youth may also succeed in advancing in this field, and at an unprecedented speed. The matter depends on the extent to which society needs to adopt and utilize these technologies to achieve its goals.

Realistic and Smart Solutions

The researcher specializing in AI at TRENDS pointed out that digital technologies were the reason for transparency and participation, especially for youth. We have open data platforms, such as the UAE government’s official data portal, which makes information available to everyone, including youth, entrepreneurs, and government entities, to analyze and use in developing realistic, innovative solutions.

He explained that AI plays a fundamental role in this system, as it can analyze thousands of comments and suggestions, categorize them based on priority, and present them clearly to decision-makers. This can also be integrated with dedicated youth applications that combine initiatives and outcomes into a single platform, providing a powerful tool for making data-driven decisions based on the actual needs of youth.