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Arab News
11-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Arab News honored in London on its 50th anniversary
LONDON: To mark the 50th anniversary of Arab News, the Global Arab Network hosted on Friday an event at the Frontline Club featuring a documentary preview and a panel discussion on the newspaper's digital transformation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the future of media. Welcoming guests, Ghassan Ibrahim, founder of the London-based Global Arab Network, commended Arab News, saying it has become 'one of the most trusted newspapers in the Middle East.' 'Global Arab Network works to help people from Arab countries and other parts of the world understand each other better. They support projects that connect cultures, support development, and share news and ideas,' he said. 'Their work is similar to what Arab News does — they both want to bring the East and West closer together.' In his address, Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas said: 'We thank the Global Arab Network for hosting this event and presenting the documentary. We hope that the attendees can benefit from the Arab News digital transformation success story as we all brace for an AI-led future' He added: 'For the past 50 years, Arab News has been at the forefront of technology when it comes to news gathering, verification, research and distribution. We vow to continue on this path, and our latest podcast, launched using Google NotebookLM, is a testimony to our commitment.' The Frontline Club event in London was attended by renowned dignitaries, diplomats and journalists including Saudi Editor Othman Al-Omair, Asharq Network's Nabeel Khatib and Al Majalla Editor in Chief, Ibrahim Hamidi. Members of parliament, lecturers from British universities and former ministers and ambassadors were also among the attendees. The event saw a preview of 'Rewriting Arab News,' a short film about the newspaper's relaunch and digital transformation between 2016 and 2018, which was presented by Global Arab Network. The event paid tribute to the brothers Hisham and Mohammed Ali Hafiz, who launched Arab News as Saudi Arabia's first English-language daily newspaper, from a small garage in their hometown, Jeddah, while depicting the publication's growth and milestones in the runup to it relaunch. The evening also discussed how Arab News is consistently launching new initiatives and projects as part of its preparations for an AI-driven future. 'In 2000, less than 7 percent of the world's population was connected to the internet; 25 years later, more than 60 percent of the world is connected to the internet,' Abbas said. 'We are at the brink of an AI revolution that is already happening, and the evolution of the news industry continues. We hope that Arab news can continue this challenge and thrive under this challenge.' Arab News was established in 1975 under the slogan, 'The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily,' to give Arabs a voice in English while documenting the major transformations taking place across the Middle East. In April 2018, Arab News changed its 43-year-old logo with a new one as well as its motto to 'The Voice of a Changing Region.' The newspaper relaunched with a new design and a new approach to stories that it believed was better suited to the internet age. 'Since 1975, Arab News has been the voice of the Arab world and the newspaper of record for Saudi Arabia and the wider region. As this region changes, and as the Arab world faces new challenges and new political, social and economic realities, so must that voice change. And so must Arab News,' the newspaper said in an editorial on April 4. Arab News is marking its 50th anniversary at a shifting moment, as Lebanon and Syria form new governments and the Middle East prepares for a high-level conference on the Palestinian two-state solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, in New York this June. 'It's remarkable looking back at history to see the pattern of how history repeats itself, but sometimes it could be a happy ending,' said Abbas. A panel discussion after the screening of the documentary featured Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu); Juan Senor, partner at Innovation Media Consulting Group; and Abbas. 'Like Arab News, tech giants Apple and Google also started in garages — there's something to be said about that,' Doyle said. He praised Arab News for consistently reinventing itself 'not just to keep up with the times, but to stay ahead of them.' In April, Arab News launched its 50th anniversary collection, highlighting key events that shaped the Middle East over the past five decades, alongside the newspaper's own evolution. As part of its digital transformation efforts and complementing the anniversary project, Arab News released a podcast series last month. Produced using Google's AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM, it features artificial hosts and AI-generated voices recounting pivotal moments that defined the region's recent history. Senor said: 'Arab News has consistently set the standard for English-language journalism in the region, offering clarity and credibility at a time when balanced narratives about the Middle East are more important than ever.' He added: 'Arab News has played a crucial role in elevating regional voices that were often overlooked or misrepresented in international discourse — it's journalism with purpose, not just headlines.' As part of the same series of initiatives marking its 50th anniversary, Arab News hosted a special reception and talk last month in collaboration with Google on the opening day of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai in the UAE. During the May 26 reception, Mona Al-Marri, director-general of Dubai Media Office, Government of Dubai, said: 'I hope that all media outlets in our region follow in the steps of Arab News, because this is when you set a good working model for the whole region. … Arab News is leading this transformation.' In a region where over 50 percent of the population is young, she added, 'we should all follow this model.' In his keynote speech at the event, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said: 'Let's all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically. Look at the average attention span, which is eight seconds.' He said the disruptive power of AI — from disinformation to audience mistrust — makes the 'human touch' more vital than ever. 'AI may be the hero of the next media chapter, but self-critique, adaptability and editorial responsibility will define its success,' Belhoul said. Arab News, headquartered in Riyadh, has expanded its digital voice by establishing bureaus in London, Pakistan and Dubai, besides editions published in French and Japanese.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Global media recognizes regional reporting talent, says CNN Arabic leader
DUBAI: Global media houses recognize that people from the region are the best to cover the news happening here, said CNN Arabic Services Vice President Caroline Faraj on Tuesday. 'This region invested in its youth and its education whether you are educated here or abroad, we have a cultured multilingual youth that understands the perspective of this region. 'This attracted global media outlets to come and hire this talent from the country itself,' she added during a session at the Arab Media Summit. 'When global media outlets need the truth, they go for the locals for our special talent,' added Faraj. Faraj said authenticity in news gathering remains vital, in whatever language it occurs. She said CNN was still adapting to artificial intelligence technology and warned that checks and balances are still needed. 'We still need people to be editors and to verify what AI is doing,' said Faraj. Arab News' Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas said on the technology: 'AI is a reality; it's a fact and it's not something that is going to happen in the future. 'People talk about the concerns and challenges, but AI is an opportunity … There is no problem with AI, there is a problem with the lack of natural intelligence to use it.' Maha Eldahan, Reuters' Gulf bureau chief, added: 'We can't use AI without a human touch, we can't publish an article that was translated by AI without checking it and I don't think this will ever happen.' Abbas added: 'We are utilizing AI softwares to help cut down on cost and time, it can help us produce the same amount of work in half the time and for virtually no cost at all, so we need to be able to harness this technology for our benefit.'
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception
DUBAI: As part of a series of initiatives marking its 50th anniversary, Arab News hosted a special reception and talk in collaboration with Google on the opening day of the Arab Media Forum, reflecting on five decades of events that shaped the Middle East and exploring the future of the region's media landscape. During the reception, held at the Dubai Future Foundation under the theme 'Reimagining the Future of Media,' Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, addressed the challenges facing the media industry and how emerging technologies are reshaping its future. 'The future does not wait, the future is already here, and we should remember that the future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it, as Dubai Ruler H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid always says,' said Abbas. 'As an industry, we have suffered far too long from paralysis by analysis,' he added. 'While artificial intelligence is evolving every day, we should simply just do it and remember that amateurs talk strategy, while professionals talk logistics, as the late World War II general, Omar Bradley, once said.' For her part, Mona Al-Marri, director-general of Dubai Media Office, Government of Dubai, welcomed the attendees and congratulated Arab News on its 50th anniversary in her opening remarks. 'Congratulations to the entire Arab News team,' she said, noting the newspaper's pivotal role in the regional media landscape and its long-standing contribution to the Arab Media Summit since its inception 23 years ago — 'whether through participation, contribution, or by organizing events like this.' Al-Marri praised the leadership of Abbas, saying that 'having a young editor-in-chief running such a major platform makes' a real difference. 'How can we transform such a platform into digital? Today's (event) actually marks the importance of having such collaboration, like with Google and the Dubai Future Foundation, where we feel this is the future of the Arab media. I hope that all media outlets in our region follow in the steps of Arab News, because this is when you set a good working model for the whole region.' 'Arab News is leading this transformation,' she added. In a region where over 50 percent of the population is young, 'we should all follow this model.' Speaking on the future of the industry in his keynote speech, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, outlined seven key predictions for media over the next year. 'Let's all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically,' he said during his address at the Dubai Future Foundation Auditorium in Emirates Towers. 'Look at the average attention span, which is eight seconds.' He noted how sports consumption has dramatically changed beyond live games and consequently the demand for content has exploded. 'For me, sport is all about pre-game, game, post-game interviews and conversations. And we need to adapt to that.' Belhoul emphasized that this shift is forcing a transformation of media business models. 'New media means new roles,' he said, listing predictions such as AI-generated news anchors, governments licensing content creators, and AI-powered productions by major streaming platforms. He also highlighted the rise of 'slow media' as a cultural counterbalance to viral, unchecked content. He said that the disruptive power of AI — from disinformation to audience mistrust — makes the 'human touch' more vital than ever. 'AI may be the hero of the next media chapter, but self-critique, adaptability and editorial responsibility will define its success,' he said. Now in its 24th edition, the three-day Arab Media Forum in Dubai brings together senior government officials, media executives, thought leaders, and influential content creators from the Arab region and beyond. It is now held under a bigger event called the Arab Media Summit, which includes various other forums and award ceremonies. The summit runs until May 28 and focuses on fostering collaboration among media platforms, senior officials, and governments to create a positive impact on shaping vital sectors of everyday life in the region. In light of this connection, the summit features an impressive lineup of prominent personalities including Nawaf Salam, the prime minister of Lebanon, and Asaad Al-Shaibani, Syria's foreign minister, among others. A panel discussion featuring information ministers from several Arab countries explores the future of public media and strategies to strengthen collaboration with the private sector. Ghassan Salameh, Lebanon's minister of culture, will share insights on the media's role in shaping a path toward regional stability, while prominent media figure Piers Morgan is set to address the summit audience in a key session. Addressing the pivotal role of AI in reshaping the media landscape, Anthony Nakache, managing director of Google MENA, highlighted Google's initiatives and products aimed at enhancing user experience and supporting content creation in an era of rapid digital transformation. He said: 'Since Google was founded, our mission has been to organize the world information, make it universally accessible and useful for everyone. 26 years later, that vision has not changed, and we are actually more committed to it than ever.' 'We considered exploring new initiatives such as the AI Launch Lab with FT Strategies and the Google News initiative and FT Strategies AI design sprint in collaboration with The Saudi Ministry of Media and the UAE Media Council.' He added: 'By (choosing) to invest in innovation, to uphold the highest standards of quality information, and by empowering journalists to use AI tools and digital solutions, we can all together forge a very dynamic and successful future for journalism in the region. A great example of that is what we are going to showcase tonight, which is our partnership with Arab News that is now exploring the latest of our AI tools to create new ways to engage with their audience.' Nakache said he was 'very excited' about the upcoming Arab News podcast series powered by Google's latest AI tool, NotebookLM 2, a smart note-taking solution that automatically generates podcasts. The tool was recently recognized as one of the most innovative AI solutions of 2024 by Time magazine. 'But the best (results come) when it is put in the hands of journalists, creating magic for users,' he added. Monday evening concluded with the announcement of Arab News' collaboration with Google for a special podcast series titled 'Recounting the Moments that Changed the Middle East.' The five-episode podcast series spans five decades, with each episode focusing on a pivotal decade in Middle East history — from 1975 to the present. Produced using NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered research tool, the project employed artificial hosts and AI-generated voices to narrate major events that shaped the region, highlighting how emerging technology can support storytelling, research and historical reflection in modern journalism. You can access the podcast by visiting
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Arab News
New Arab News podcast tells story of five pivotal decades
DUBAI: Arab News launched a podcast series on Monday about the past five decades of pivotal moments that have changed the Middle East. The project uses NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered research tool, and features artificial hosts and AI-generated voices. 'This is a first step into what will be a very exciting future, whereby artificial intelligence is going to help us tell the story of the region to a wider audience,' Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas said at a reception and talk during the Arab Media Forum in Dubai. The project illustrated how emerging technology could support storytelling, research, and historical reflection in modern journalism, said Anthony Nakache, managing director of Google MENA. 'By empowering journalists to use AI tools ... we can together forge a dynamic and successful future for journalism in the region,' he said. Arab News is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first publication by looking back at those decades and the moments that defined the region. Each episode of the podcast focuses on a decade in Middle East history from 1975 until now. The series 'comes at a pivotal time in the region, and offers a different way of telling the stories that shaped the Middle East as it is today,' said Tarek Ali Ahmad, head of Arab News Research & Studies.
Arab News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
What Trump's second coming signifies for Saudi-US relations
As President Donald Trump prepares to return to Saudi Arabia for what is expected to be the first international stop in this new chapter of his political life, the significance of the visit cannot be overstated — nor could its timing be more crucial. The world today is in flux. The global order is being tested by war, economic uncertainty, rising extremism, and shifting alliances. In the midst of this complexity, Trump's 'second coming' to the Kingdom sends a loud and clear message: The US recognizes that the challenges of today cannot be tackled without working closely with reliable allies. And when it comes to stability, mediation, and real influence, no one is better positioned than Riyadh. Whether it is Ukraine and Russia — where Saudi Arabia enjoys strong, trust-based relations with both sides — or the escalating crisis in Sudan, the Kingdom has stepped up time and again. Riyadh has taken on the tough assignments others shy away from. When many assumed that a phone call and a press release would suffice to de-escalate the India-Pakistan standoff, Saudi Arabia quietly dispatched one of its most seasoned diplomats, Adel Al-Jubeir, to mediate face-to-face. These are not acts of vanity but strategic contributions to global peace, and, frankly, they serve American interests, too. Putting America first does not mean ignoring opportunities abroad; it means seizing them. Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief A more stable Middle East is not just good for Saudi Arabia; it is good for the world, reducing migration pressures, helping to stabilize energy markets, and curbing the spread of extremist ideologies. It is this exact logic that fuels Saudi Arabia's longstanding advocacy for a two-state solution in Palestine. Riyadh has always maintained that correcting the historic injustice faced by Palestinians is not only morally imperative, but also the most secure path to lasting peace — for Israelis, Arabs, and the wider region. The longer the occupation persists, the more fertile the ground becomes for extremism. Without justice, there can be no peace, and without peace, there can be no prosperity. Of course, some critics — mostly the usual suspects in the Western commentariat — will dismiss this visit with a tired, reductionist take: 'Trump is just going where the money is.' That line of thinking is not only outdated, it is insulting — both to the Kingdom, which is in the midst of a profound transformation under Vision 2030, and to a US administration that has chosen, unapologetically, to put American interests first. But putting America first does not mean ignoring opportunities abroad; it means seizing them. Trump understands, perhaps better than any of his predecessors, that if American companies do not engage with fast-growing markets like Saudi Arabia, others will. We have seen this play out before: in 5G technology, infrastructure, and defense contracts. Strategic gaps left by the US were quickly filled by competitors. The business delegation accompanying Trump will witness a new Saudi Arabia, one that is younger, more open, more dynamic. Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief And make no mistake, there will be billions of dollars of deals signed during this visit — but not because Saudi Arabia has spare change to throw around. These agreements are being forged because a country the size of Western Europe, with one of the top 20 economies in the world, is diversifying, modernizing, and building for the future. From artificial intelligence to renewable energy to nuclear cooperation, we need credible partners — and American firms are among the best. Let us also not forget that the door swings both ways. The business delegation accompanying Trump will witness a new Saudi Arabia, one that is younger, more open, more dynamic, and bursting with investment opportunities across every sector. From tourism and tech to sports and sustainability, those who missed out last time won't want to miss out again — and Trump won't want them to, either. So, let us welcome President Trump, his team, and the business community he brings with him. Let us talk, sign, build, and grow — together. And, yes, let us make Saudi-US relations great again.
