The Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Chair for Technology Management at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) organised a lecture on the upcoming wave represented by the proliferation of AI applications and the technical dilemmas associated with this technology concerning privacy, technology ethics, and information governance. 

The lecture was presented by the Head of the Innovation and Technology Management Department, Dr Odeh Al Jayyousi, as part of the chair’s scientific activities for the current academic year. During the lecture, which took place yesterday at the university, Dr Al Jayyousi reviewed the history of technological waves since the invention of the wheel, the steam engine, the automobile, and information technology, discussing their implications on civilisation, societal structure, urban development, the economy, and the environment. 

He highlighted the challenges posed by the rapid growth of AI technologies and the convergence of technology with humanity in this forthcoming wave, which presents both opportunities and challenges.

Dr  Al Jayyousi stated: "The upcoming wave of technology will be based on artificial intelligence and industrial biology using quantum computing. The essence of the issue lies in how and the ability of humans to contain this wave and mitigate potential side effects. This requires a new social-technical contract to regulate the governance of technology and its ethics in a changing society."

It is worth noting that His Excellency the President of AGU, Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, places special emphasis on activating scientific chairs within the university's colleges and adopts a strategy to encourage scientific innovation as part of the ongoing effort to enhance the university's academic and educational standing. 

He particularly supports sustainable research projects that benefit Bahraini and Gulf communities and consistently highlights the importance of research chairs in developing scientific research and enhancing the role of scientists and researchers in various fields, thereby strengthening their capacity to contribute to solving global challenges.

He always stresses that investing in research chairs is an investment in the future, as they contribute to shaping a new generation of researchers who will play a prominent role in the evolution of future sciences and technologies. 

He notes that the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Chair for Technology Management represents an important step toward enhancing scientific research in topics relevant to the chair's field, reflecting the university’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for innovation and scientific development.

For her part, the director of the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Chair for Technology Management, Dr Afaf Bugawa, confirmed that the strategic goal of the chair is to enhance academic and research excellence in technology management by developing innovative knowledge and building sustainable partnerships with local and international entities, in addition to preparing qualified human resources capable of effectively leading digital transformation and managing modern technologies to achieve sustainable development