{
  "id": 7577744,
  "title": "Bahrain's pearl divers prove AI can't shuck a pearl at ATM 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/bahrains-pearl-divers-prove-ai-cant-shuck-a-pearl-at-atm-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T14:02:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/business/tourism/bahrains-pearl-divers-prove-ai-cant-shuck-a-pearl-at-atm-2026-1.500675518"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mohamed Slaise, a field researcher from the Danat Institute in Bahrain, emphasized at the Bahrain pavilion of the Arabian Travel Market 2026 (ATM 2026) that AI cannot replace the cultural significance of pearl shucking. He explained that Bahrain's waters are teeming with oysters, and it is the skill of pearl divers that sets them apart. He was confident that AI could not replace this traditional practice.\n\nAt the ATM 2026, they showcased the genuine search for pearls. Field researcher Ahmed Ramadhan demonstrated this by cracking open an oyster using his bare hands, carefully removing a small pearl. He then presented the pearl to the audience gathered around the kiosk.\n\nSlaise and Ramadhan have spent over 15 years collaborating to introduce pearl diving to the public, allowing visitors to experience the entire process, from diving for oysters to opening them in search of pearls. Visitors eagerly lined up at the Bahrain pavilion to participate in this unique experience and take home a natural pearl. They could then transform the pearls into chains or turn oyster shells into keychains.\n\nSlaise noted that the team had discovered three significant pearls the day before, a fortunate day even for experienced divers. He highlighted that despite their combined 20 years of diving experience, most of them had never found a pearl of such size. He emphasized that such large pearls are extremely rare.\n\nSlaise pointed out that the polished, oversized pearls often displayed in advertisements bear little resemblance to the actual pearls retrieved by divers. He described them as one of the rarest gems in the world. Ahmed stressed that despite geopolitical tensions, Bahrain's tradition of oyster diving has remained uninterrupted, prioritizing safety above all else. They informed visitors that they could book the experience online, joining divers in collecting oysters, opening them by hand, and searching for their own pearls.\n\nOther attractions at the Bahrain pavilion allowed visitors to convert their pearls into chains and to have their names calligraphed in Arabic. ATM 2026 opened in Dubai on Monday, and enthusiasts were advised to look out for unique offerings at the Arabian Travel Market.",
  "summary": "AI can never replace the culture of Pearl shucking, says Mohamed Slaise, Field Researcher from Danat Institute Bahrain, at the Bahrain pavilion of Arabian Travel Market 2026. “Our seas are full of oysters in every single corner of Bahrain, we have oysters. It's just who can do this is the important part. For sure, AI can't replace this,” he said to Gulf News. At the ATM 2026 , they exhibited the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}