For the fifth consecutive day, TRENDS Research & Advisory continued its cultural program at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025. The center launched two new publications, while its pavilion continued to attract visitors, including officials, researchers, academics, students, and members of the public, who praised TRENDS for its intellectual contributions and dynamic global presence. Visitors also commended the center’s prolific output, the diversity of its topics, and the breadth and depth of its research.

The Impact of AI on Identity and Societal Values

As part of its program of activities at the fair, where it serves as a Platinum Sponsor, TRENDS held a symposium titled “Artificial Intelligence and Societal Changes: Understanding Transformations of Identity, Values, and Behavior in the Digital Age”, featuring H.E. Professor Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Professor of Sociology.

The session was moderated by researcher Mohammed Al-Zahouri, Deputy Director of Research Department at TRENDS, who welcomed Dr. Zayed and highlighted his distinguished academic career in analyzing social transformations and cultural values in Arab societies, as well as his critical insights into the effects of modernity, globalization, and now AI on society.

During the session, Dr. Zayed offered his deep perspective on how AI is reshaping identity, values, and patterns of behavior in Arab societies, and the challenges this poses for preserving diversity in this unprecedented digital age.

Identity and Digital Globalization

In response to the first question on how AI is affecting the concept of “social identity”, Dr. Ahmed Zayed explained, through the lens of contemporary sociology, that we are indeed witnessing a phase of rapidly evolving identities amid digital globalization and cultural hybridity. He noted that AI is actively contributing to the reshaping of affiliations and identities but stopped short of definitively stating whether we are facing a case of identity fragmentation or the construction of new hybrid identities.

Liquid Social Relations

When asked about the shift from deep human interaction to digital points of contact, Dr. Zayed emphasized that this transformation is altering social relationships, making them more liquid, characterized by constant change and uncertainty. He also highlighted the implications of this shift for family structures, noting the emerging challenges that families face in adapting to these digital transformations.

Algorithmic Colonialism

Addressing the topic of digital colonialism and the impact of algorithmic colonization of societal consciousness, Dr. Zayed stressed the need to examine not only the economic but also the cultural dimensions of this phenomenon. He underscored the importance of developing mechanisms to protect authentic civilizational narratives in the digital space, independent of the epistemic dependency and narrative domination imposed by algorithms.

Dr. Zayed offered valuable insights on how Arab societies can enhance their adaptability to these transformations, emphasizing the importance of teaching future generations how to engage with digital technologies in a conscious and constructive way, while safeguarding cultural identity in this age.

At the end of the symposium, researcher Mohammed Al-Zahouri expressed his deep appreciation to Dr. Ahmed Zayed for his insights and thanked the audience for their active participation. He also invited them to join other cultural activities of TRENDS.

Intellectual Security in the AI Age

At its pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, TRENDS launched the book “Intellectual Security in the AI Age” by Senior Researcher Ayesha Al-Remeithi, Director of Research Department at TRENDS. The book addresses the growing impact of emerging technologies on the intellectual security of both state and society, warning against the risks posed by the use of AI in spreading misinformation and undermining cultural foundations.

The book, which was signed at the fair and adopts a multidisciplinary analytical approach, asserts that AI is a double-edged sword. While it can be harnessed to reinforce national identity and societal values, it can also pose a threat to intellectual security through deepfakes, the dissemination of fake news, and the spread of alternative facts.

The book recommends the adoption of an integrated strategy for AI governance. This includes the development of technical tools to combat disinformation, the enhancement of algorithmic transparency, the promotion of digital education, and the enactment of legislation to regulate the use of AI in ways that protect intellectual security.

The Future of Banking: Adapting to a Rapidly Changing World

The TRENDS pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair also witnessed the signing of a newly released book by TRENDS titled “The Future of Banking: Adapting to a Rapidly Changing World.” This timely publication addresses the fast-paced transformations in the global banking sector. The book offers an in-depth analysis of the evolving banking landscape amid rapid technological advancements. It explores the impact of digitization, AI, and financial innovation (Fintech) on financial institutions, highlighting how traditional banks are responding to challenges posed by digital banks, cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Among the key themes covered are the rise of fintech firms and their role in increasing both competition and collaboration within the market, the integration of AI and automation into lending and wealth management, and the emerging opportunities and challenges associated with digital payment systems and open banking. The book also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and regulatory practices in shaping the future of the banking sector.

It concludes with a roadmap for banks to develop their business models in line with the demands of the digital age, stressing the need for continuous adaptation and innovation to remain competitive in an ever-shifting financial environment.

TRENDS Pavilion Attracts Visitors

For the fifth consecutive day, the TRENDS pavilion continued to attract visitors, including officials, researchers, academics, students, and members of the public. They praised the center’s intellectual contributions and active global presence. Among the distinguished visitors to the pavilion were: H.E. Major General Faris Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; H.E. Majid Ali Al-Mansouri, Secretary General of the Emirates Falconers Club and President of the International Association for Falconry; H.E. Obaid Rashid Al-Hosan Al-Shamsi, Vice President of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority; Major General Thani Butti Al-Shamsi, Director of the Saif Bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences; Prof. Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina; H.E. Dr. Abdallah Mograby, Undersecretary of the Research and Studies Division at the Presidential Court; and Mr. Liu Dawei, Vice President of the China International Communications Group.