Nouakchott: The National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation in Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, today hosted a regional meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), attended by representatives of the council’s General Secretariat. On behalf of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) President Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Desouki, the Saudi delegation was represented at the meeting by Dr. Hassan bin Yahya Al-Ayied, the vice president of the GRC board of trustees, representative of the MENA Region, and the consultant to the president for international relations and the Group of Twenty (G20).
According to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Al-Ayied emphasized the importance of careful management of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure its ethical application, aligning with global research priorities. He highlighted the impact of AI on research management, noting its potential to enhance the efficiency of scientific research funding,
minimize bias in research review, uncover emerging scientific trends, and offer practical solutions and insights based on data analysis.
Dr. Al-Ayied pointed out that the MENA region is abundant with aspiring young talents eager to harness innovation in AI applications and collaborate in research to overcome challenges and spearhead transformative global initiatives. He underscored the significance of focusing on scientific achievements within the region to launch initiatives that connect regional experts to global networks, establish sustainable AI research clusters, invest in young researchers’ capabilities, and develop joint funding mechanisms to support multidisciplinary projects addressing issues like water scarcity and sustainable energy.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Al-Ayied welcomed the Kingdom’s hosting of the participants in the 13th annual meeting of the GRC. This event, scheduled from May 18 to 22, 2025, will focus on ‘Research Management in the Age of AI’ and ‘Joint Creative Collaboration to Tack
le Global Challenges,’ sponsored by the Research, Development and Innovation Authority and KACST, in partnership with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).