Abu Dhabi's Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries to explore AI, gaming and the creative economy

The upcoming Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries in Abu Dhabi will delve into topics such as AI, gaming, and the growth of the creative economy in the Arab world. Held at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the fifth annual event attracts policymakers, authors, technologists, content creators, and investors for a day-long program of keynotes, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Registration is free.

The conference, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, takes the theme of "Arabic as Infrastructure: Language, Identity and Economic Power in the Digital Age." It aims to explore how Arabic creative industries can expand both regionally and internationally.

Keynote speakers include Anne-Claire Legendre, president of Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, who will address "Arabic Language and Identity in a Changing World." She will be among the first official speakers in the region since her recent appointment.

Sessions will cover the commercial value of Arabic creative works, ranging from book rights and game localization to licensing agreements. Investment gaps in the Middle East and North Africa's creative economy will also be discussed.

The event will examine the role of gamification in language learning and cultural identity, as well as the impact of technology on language and culture. A special session will focus on the UAE's upcoming Arabic Language Law in 2027, which will outline new requirements for Arabic education and its usage in public campaigns and conferences.

Masterclasses will be led by experts such as Egyptian actor, writer, and producer Ahmed Amin, who will teach "Writing Arabic Comedy for Digital." Todd Gallicano, an American novelist and scriptwriter, will conduct "From Storylines to Story Words," discussing how to create fictional worlds with recurring characters for various platforms.

Other topics include AI's role in journalism, dubbing workflows, and creating global intellectual property. The Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries, launched in 2022, has since expanded to cover the entire creative industry landscape beyond publishing, featuring the works of Jordanian director Tima Shomali, Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki, Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer, and Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabry.