AI preparedness vital as technology reshapes media and society, says National Media Authority chairman
Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed told the Arab Media Summit that governments, schools and communities must build awareness of AI to counter sophisticated misinformation that can threaten national security and public trust.
Awareness and vigilance urged as AI advances
Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, urged governments, organisations and individuals to prepare for the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, warning that the technology is already reshaping information, media and everyday life.
Speaking at the Arab Media Summit 2026 session titled “The Next Chapter for Arab Media” in Dubai, he said societies must increase understanding of AI as increasingly convincing content makes it harder to distinguish genuine material from fabrications. He called for preparedness to extend beyond ministries and companies to schools, communities and children.
“The world is changing, and it is our responsibility to keep pace with that change,” Al Hamed said, underlining the need for public awareness alongside institutional measures. He highlighted the role of citizens and residents in challenging false reports on social media by publishing footage that shows what is actually happening on the ground.
National security and the challenge of fabricated content
Al Hamed warned that AI-fuelled misinformation can pose risks to national security if governments and societies are not equipped to understand and respond to the technology. He referred to recent regional developments in which fabricated videos and reports attempted to create fear by falsely suggesting incidents had taken place in the UAE.
He stressed that individuals have a duty to verify information before believing or sharing it, particularly as AI tools become more capable of producing convincing images, video and written content. Al Hamed said he personally uses AI tools to trace the origins of images and to assess source credibility.
Embracing AI responsibly while preserving the human role
Rejecting the notion that avoidance is a viable option, Al Hamed compared current concerns about AI with earlier fears around calculators, which became normalised. “The question is: will it be dangerous while I am prepared for it, or dangerous while I know nothing about it?” he asked, urging people to develop knowledge of both AI’s potential and its risks.
He disclosed using more than 120 AI agents for tasks from emails and calendars to reminders and event planning, and said that while sectors such as film production, journalism, media and law will see AI take over some tasks, human input will remain essential. “No matter how much artificial intelligence develops, the human touch will remain,” he said, encouraging organisations and employees to adopt AI responsibly to improve performance and open new ideas.
Source: WAM