In brief
On Nov. 7, 2026, a dialogue hosted by Umm Al‑Qaiwain University students brought together experts in cybersecurity, policing and artificial intelligence to discuss how smart technologies can help counter misinformation that spreads quickly during crises. Panelists explained the risks of rapid viral fake content, the need for a verification culture and the promise of AI under human oversight. They emphasized that institutions and individuals must work together to protect the information environment and keep trust in reliable sources.
On November 7, 2026, students from Umm Al Qaiwain University organized a dialogue session in their College of Mass Communication. The event, part of their graduation project titled Truth in Times of Crisis: From Rumor to Smart Response, was hosted at the university campus in Abu Dhabi.
TRENDS Research & Advisory, a division of the TRENDS Group, participated as a partner. The panel gathered officials and specialists from several fields, including cybersecurity, policing, artificial intelligence, and media.
Panelists included Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government; Brigadier‑General Abdullah bin Salman Al Nuaimi, Deputy Director of the Operations Department at Ras Al Khaimah Police General Command; Saeed Rashid Al Shehhi; media professional Mohammed Al Ahmad; and Isa Al Manaei, a researcher at TRENDS who specializes in AI.
Discussions focused on the challenges posed by rumours and misinformation during crises and the role of smart technologies. Al Manaei explained how modern AI systems can search multiple sources, generate text, images, and video, and perform complex tasks with a degree of autonomy. He noted that these advances offer opportunities to speed up analysis and support decision‑makers, journalists, and researchers.
However, Al Manaei warned that the ease of creating realistic digital content and the speed at which it can spread on social media make misinformation a serious threat. He highlighted that crises amplify the problem because people demand information quickly but often lack the time to verify it.
Participants stressed the need for a verification culture and for institutions and individuals to protect the information environment. They agreed that, while AI can accelerate response, human oversight remains essential to manage the risks and to maintain trust in reliable sources.
