Dubai: In a rich intellectual and media atmosphere, Dr. Ibrahim Kaldari's weekly Majlis in Dubai hosted a dialogue session titled "The Evolution of Journalism from Traditional to Digital in the Light of Artificial Intelligence." Presented by media personality Fadhila Al Muaini, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Journalists Association, the session was attended by a select group of journalists, media professionals, researchers, thinkers, and prominent community figures.

The session was moderated by media personality Mohammed Al-Joker and provided an open space for exchanging insights into the changing media landscape.

Fadhila Al Muaini began her speech by reviewing the evolution of Emirati journalism, from its print inception to its entry into the digital transformation era. She explained that these successive phases reflected the growth and cultural development witnessed by the UAE.

During her speech, she highlighted the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, in granting the UAE Journalists Association a fully equipped headquarters befitting its media mission. She emphasized that this generous initiative has contributed to strengthening the association's position as a comprehensive professional umbrella and has provided journalists with an inspiring environment that supports their efforts to serve the community and develop their professional capabilities.

Fadhila Al Muaini added that the association has witnessed a significant increase in the number of affiliated and active members over the past few months, with the number of registered journalists exceeding 1,500. This reflects the growing confidence in the association's pioneering role in caring for and empowering journalists, she added.

She also reviewed her rich personal experience in the world of journalism, speaking about the milestones in her professional career and the lessons learned from working in print journalism to digital media. She noted that these experiences have shaped her professional character and enabled her to keep pace with the ongoing transformations in the media sector.

She emphasized the importance of empowering Emirati youth and encouraging them to engage in journalism, noting that the UAE Journalists Association has launched numerous initiatives and training programs aimed at qualifying young media professionals and equipping them with highly professional journalistic skills and a strong sense of patriotism.

During the session, attendees emphasized the continued appeal of print journalism despite the fierce competition from digital media. They noted that print newspapers hold a special emotional appeal for readers, due to their authenticity, reliability, and connection to the scent of ink and the memory of reading for an entire generation.

The interventions also emphasized the need to preserve Arabic as the primary language of the media, as it is the foundation of national identity and a means of preserving cultural heritage.

For his part, Dr. Ibrahim Kaldari expressed his pride in hosting this session, saying, “Our weekly council aims to host experts from various fields, serving as a platform for cultural and intellectual dialogue. Today’s session was distinguished by the large turnout and diverse expertise of its attendees, reflecting the importance of journalism in Emirati society and confirming the great value of the expertise and knowledge provided by Professor Fadhila Al Muaini, which has contributed to enriching the national media landscape.”