Ajman Media Forum convenes to navigate the transformation of journalism in an age of artificial intelligence

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, the inaugural Ajman Media Forum opens this November to bring together global media leaders and technology experts for critical dialogue on how emerging technologies are reshaping the industry.

The future of journalism unfolds not in isolation but in conversation. On 18th November, Ajman will host THE SIGNAL 2026, the inaugural Ajman Media Forum, a two-day gathering convened under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman. The forum, held at the Emirates Hospitality Centre, takes as its central question one that increasingly preoccupies newsrooms across the world: “Who Owns the Signal?”

Organised by the Ajman Government Media Office, this ambitious assembly brings together 68 speakers from 17 countries, alongside 53 media organisations, government institutions and technology partners. Across 23 sessions, the forum will examine how artificial intelligence, digital platforms and algorithmic systems are fundamentally reshaping the creation, distribution and consumption of news and information.

The conversations will navigate genuine complexity. Sessions will explore how AI influences editorial decision-making, the credibility threats posed by deepfakes, and the evolving relationship between media organisations and their audiences in an age of algorithmic curation. Participants will also address cognitive security, disinformation campaigns and the capacity of digital platforms to engage audiences in meaningful ways. The programme examines too the role of media in government communication, diplomacy and crisis management, and the professional and ethical challenges that arise when covering conflicts in an era of artificial content.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Ajman Government Media Office, explains that the forum creates a platform for responsible dialogue and knowledge exchange on the profound changes reshaping the media sector. “The forum aims to advance media practices, strengthen integration between the media and technology sectors and anticipate trends influencing media decision-making,” he states.

A particular focus emerges on human-centred storytelling and how local narratives might reach global audiences through international partnerships. This reflects a broader concern: that as technology transforms the mechanisms of journalism, the human dimension of storytelling remains central to the profession’s future. A youth debate titled “Is the Artificial Partner a Partner or a Competitor to the Media Professional?” will bring together young council representatives to discuss the implications of AI for the next generation of journalists.

The forum’s breadth reflects the urgency of these questions. The first day programme addresses AI and audience trust, government communication in the algorithmic age, narrative competition, newsroom transformation and AI’s impact on filmmaking and visual storytelling. A special presentation by Chinese technology company iFlytek will offer international perspective. The second day turns to broader questions of public trust, economic opportunities in the media and creative industries, and the practical responses media organisations must develop as news and information production undergoes transformation.

Workshops and Partners Platform sessions, including activities with TRENDS Research & Advisory, will examine AI, audience trust and the changing patterns of digital content consumption. In this context, it is notable that as we reported in our coverage of the Arab Youth Centre’s graduation of 50 young media leaders from across the Arab world, emerging professionals across the region are already engaging with artificial intelligence, digital storytelling and information verification as essential skills. Meanwhile, Ajman Government’s deployment of AI-powered services in public administration demonstrates how the emirate continues to explore the technology’s broader applications across sectors.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Ajman Media Forum represents a significant moment for the UAE’s media ecosystem. By convening leaders, researchers and practitioners from 17 countries, the emirate positions itself as a centre for thoughtful dialogue on how journalism must evolve in response to technological change. The forum’s focus on responsible media practices, information credibility and the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to fostering informed discourse on artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

For media professionals across Abu Dhabi and the wider Emirates, the forum offers both a mirror and a map. As newsrooms navigate algorithmic systems, audience engagement platforms and the proliferation of synthetic media, the conversations taking place in Ajman will illuminate the challenges and opportunities ahead. The emphasis on local storytelling reaching global audiences, and on maintaining human-centred approaches amid technological change, speaks to enduring values that will guide journalism’s evolution across the region.

Source: WAM