Latest news with #TRENDSResearch&Advisory
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
TRENDS study explores the use of AI in journalism
1 July 2025 10:44 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory has released a new study — AI-Generated Content in Journalism: The Rise of Automated Reporting — examining the profound transformation within the media sector due to rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) by lead researcher Nour Al-Mazrouei, Head of the AI and Advanced Technology Program at TRENDS, the study highlights how AI tools based on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) are being used to produce fast and accurate news content—particularly in data-driven fields such as financial, sports, and weather study emphasises key outcomes, notably the increase in production reporting systems, such as those used by the Associated Press for financial coverage, can generate thousands of articles in record it also warns of the risk of 'hallucination' in AI models—where systems may produce inaccurate or biased information due to limitations in training study stresses the importance of upholding traditional journalistic values such as integrity and diversity while leveraging AI efficiency. It recommends enhancing human review mechanisms for AI-generated content, developing ethical frameworks to guide AI use in newsrooms, and investing in training journalists to work with digital tools. This publication is part of TRENDS' research series on the impact of emerging technologies on vital sectors, and their role in shaping the future of media. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Prospects for stopping the financing of extremist groups in Europe
29 June 2025 18:41 By Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali*Since its ouster from power in several Arab countries, the Muslim Brotherhood has faced a string of crises. Yet, it continues to operate in Europe, hiding under various names and receiving direct or indirect support. This persists despite the consensus on the need to counter the spread of extremist Islamist currents across societies, whether in the Middle East, Europe, or the entire world. In this context, TRENDS Research & Advisory, in cooperation with French Senator Nathalie Goulet, is organising a symposium at the French Senate titled "Stopping the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe" to address the challenges involved and the mechanisms required to stop such Muslim Brotherhood has long exploited Europe's open and free environment to spread its ideology and manage extensive financial networks. This tactic is not new; it has been used for decades, starting with the establishment and control of Islamic centres across Europe, followed by deep infiltration into charitable and humanitarian organisations and other forms of civil society institutions. The group operates through multiple organisational structures, effectively diverting attention away from the true nature of these entities, many of which receive European funding without recognising that these organisations follow the Brotherhood's ideological design. These institutions often serve as arms of the Brotherhood, active around the world in promoting extremist ideologies, soliciting donations, and channelling them into activities that threaten national security and deepen radicalisation in situation is made worse by the fact that the Brotherhood, which has been designated as a terrorist group in several Arab countries and its original home of Egypt, still has representative branches in dozens of countries worldwide. Some branches operate openly, while others disguise themselves as charitable, civil society, or even human rights organisations. In recent years, Europe has become a safe haven for the Brotherhood. Its affiliated organisations and institutions continue to pursue their agendas across the continent through a vast and multifaceted network that includes investment portfolios, banking operations, civil society work, the halal trade, and offshore business some European governments have tried to target the group's activities and place restrictions on prominent and well-known members. However, firm, coordinated crackdown measures have not been taken, probably because of the close links that some leaders of the international organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood have in European countries. Nevertheless, a confrontation is inevitable, as the Brotherhood actively works to establish hotbeds of extremism wherever it goes. Strict oversight in Europe is necessary to expose the extent of its activities, as is rigorous monitoring of its funding sources and connections to global terrorist networks. Ultimately, this could pave the way for the Brotherhood to be designated as a terrorist organisation, rather than waiting until it succeeds in expanding ideological infiltration across Europe and triggering social unrest and clashes with state countries have already begun rethinking their position on the Brotherhood. Growing security concerns about the group's influence on European societies, its promotion of hate speech, separatist ideologies, and religious extremism have led to concrete action. Austria, for example, banned the Muslim Brotherhood under anti-terrorism laws, while France has been closely monitoring the group's activities and assessing its infiltration into social, political, and even governmental structures. However, the absence of a unified European stance on designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist group continues to provide it with loopholes, enabling it to shift operations from one country to another and interact, remotely, with communities that have rejected its presence, while using European platforms to propagate a discourse of extremism and the lack of coordinated European action, there is consensus regarding the risks posed by the Muslim Brotherhood's activities in Europe. There is an urgent need to confront ideological projects that aim to undermine the foundations of the modern state, especially given that groups like the Brotherhood exploit the margins of freedom of expression to gradually build influence, infiltrate political and local institutions, reshape societal cultures, and exert pressure on national structures, including the European Union itself. This is often done through a number of transnational European organisations that share the same intensive activity of Brotherhood-affiliated entities in Europe is aimed at influencing national policies. Some of these groups appear to have developed working relationships with figures in finance and politics. They operate through networks that undermine the integration of minority communities, fuel ethnic tensions, promote hatred, and maintain ties to global terrorist groups. Confronting the dangers of such activity requires an intellectual response to extremist ideologies, the promotion of values of tolerance and coexistence, and the strengthening of international cooperation, particularly between Europe and the Middle East. It is equally important to review the sources of financing and both direct and indirect support provided to civil society organisations to ensure that such resources do not fall into the hands of extremist groups like the Brotherhood, which could ultimately turn those resources against our societies in the form of radicalisation and Research & Advisory has played a leading role in combating extremist ideologies and Islamist movements, with a particular focus on the Muslim Brotherhood. The centre's efforts are dedicated to dismantling the narratives of terrorist thought, challenging anarchic doctrines, exposing doctrinal distortions, and countering radical methods of spreading extremism. Through a diverse range of publications, TRENDS explores various aspects of these groups across the Middle East, Europe, and the world and works with governments, decision-makers, and parliamentarians to lay the groundwork for effectively confronting the threat of extremist organisations in order to build societies based on peace, dialogue, and shared values. *The writer is the CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
TRENDS to hold France session on stopping Brotherhood funding in Europe, launch Paris virtual office
28 June 2025 10:39 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory is continuing to expand its international presence by launching a new virtual office in Paris, the French capital. The office aims to serve as a platform for intellectual exchange between the Arab and Francophone launch of the office coincides with the second session of the international symposium, held in the form of a workshop, and titled 'Toward Concerted Efforts to Stop the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities'. It will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Salle Monory at the headquarters of the French Senator Nathalie Goulet and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, will open the event. They will highlight the importance of Europe–Arab cooperation in addressing critical challenges related to the financing of extremist Wael Saleh, Political Islam Affairs Advisor and Director of TRENDS in Canada, and Senator Nathalie Goulet will moderate the workshop. It will address several topics, including the structure of financing networks, obstacles to halting financial flows, and a European road map for confronting the phenomenon.A panel of European and Arab experts and officials will participate in the session, including Laure Anas Renaud, representative of the French Financial Intelligence Unit; Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Director of the Mohammed bin Zayed University for the Humanities; Mr. Ali Faisal Ba'Alawi, Head of the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit and Representative of the Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing; François Volpoet, Director of Chain Spy; Levi Vial, Director of the Centre for University Studies in France; Hamad Al Hosani, researcher and Head of the Political Islam Studies Section at TRENDS; as well as researchers Shamsa Al Qubaisi and Shaikha Al-Nuaimi.'The launch of our virtual office in Paris represents a pivotal strategic step toward strengthening intellectual and knowledge-based communication between the Arab world and the Francophone world,' Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, said.'We believe that this office will be a vital platform for exchanging ideas and visions on common global issues, especially those related to combating the financing of extremist groups,' he added, pointing out that this step comes in conjunction with holding the second session of our important international symposium on stopping the financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. The move confirms TRENDS' commitment to strengthening cooperation in confronting security and intellectual challenges. Dr. Muhammad Al-Ali emphasised that through this new presence, TRENDS aims to monitor and analyse French knowledge and production, convey visions of the Arab world to this vital space, and contribute to formulating effective policies for a safer and more stable future. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
23-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Experts, academics assert funding cuts key to safeguarding societies from extremism
23 June 2025 12:06 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory organised a symposium – Toward Concerted Efforts to Stop the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe – addressing one of the most pressing intellectual and security challenges facing modern societies: the financing of extremist groups, chief among them the Muslim including experts and academics, emphasised that stopping funding is the first step in protecting societies from ideological and organisational infiltration. They warned of the danger posed by the continuous financial support the group receives through transnational networks operating under religious, educational, and charitable the symposium was initially planned to be held entirely in-person at the TRENDS headquarters, regional developments necessitated its transformation into a hybrid format, combining on-site attendance with virtual participation. The event also served as a prelude to a major symposium that TRENDS will organise in Paris later this month. Understanding Extremism Economic Structure In his opening remarks, Dr. Muhammad Al-Ali, CEO of the TRENDS Research & Advisory, emphasised that 'the symposium tackles one of the most serious challenges of our time, that is the financing of extremist groups.' He noted that understanding the economic structure of the Muslim Brotherhood is key to analysing the mechanisms behind its influence and Al-Ali explained that TRENDS devotes special research attention to this issue, citing the fourth study in its Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Economic Construction of the Muslim Brotherhood: Financial, Business and Finance Networks. The study highlights how the group established an intricate web of financial networks and how these resources have been crucial in reinforcing its ideology.'Through this symposium, we aim to analyse the current state of extremist group financing, identify sources of risk and prospects for counteraction, and send a clear message that all forms of financial support for these groups, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, must be stopped,' he prominent figures participated in the symposium, including Professor Radwan El Sayed, Dean of the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Collage at Mohamed Bin University Zayed for Humanities; Senator Nathalie Goulet, Member of the French Senate representing the Orne District; and Dr. Wael Saleh, Advisor for Political Islam and Extremism Studies at the TRENDS. The event was introduced by researcher Moza Al-Muhairi and moderated by researcher Najla Al-Midfa. Religion is for Tranquility and Peace, Not ConflictProf. Radwan El Sayed offered a critical reading of the book 'Muslim Brotherhood: Side Glances', published by TRENDS Research & Advisory, focusing on the concept of tranquility in religion as a criterion for assessing the authenticity of religious devotion. He emphasised that religion, in its essence, was revealed to promote psychological and social tranquility and peace. However, the Brotherhood has transformed it into a tool for political and ideological conflict. He warned that funding such groups only helps support subversive activities carried out under the guise of religion. Soft Infiltration of French SocietySenator Nathalie Goulet focused on her parliamentary experience investigating the sources of funding for political Islam in France, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. She explained that a portion of this funding is directed to academic and charitable institutions, which are a facade for the group's soft infiltration into French society. Goulet voiced concern over the financing of specific Islamic research and studies, warning that such support may be exploited to promote Islamist agendas and whitewash their image. She called for transparent investigations and stricter controls on suspicious financial flows. Parallel Economy and Ideological IndoctrinationIn a detailed analysis, Dr. Wael Saleh explained that the Muslim Brotherhood possesses intricate financial and organisational networks all over Europe, maintaining control over numerous mosques and centers under religious cover. This structure enables the group to establish a parallel economy within European societies. He explained that the Brotherhood's funding sources range from individual donations and corporate contributions to support from non-governmental organisations, as well as, in some cases, both legal and illicit channels. He emphasised that this funding does not merely sustain acts of violence but also fuels ideological indoctrination, propaganda campaigns, and mobilisation Saleh emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy that balances firm security measures with analytical insight to counter ideological financing effectively. He underscored that such efforts must be carefully implemented to avoid infringing on public freedoms. At the conclusion, symposium participants commended TRENDS' research efforts and its pivotal role in exposing the financial and ideological structure of the Muslim Brotherhood. They emphasised that continued focus on such sensitive issues contributes to equipping decision-makers with the insights needed to craft effective policies to combat extremism and strengthen societal security. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
20-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
TRENDS hosts symposium exploring prospects for China-Middle East relations
20 June 2025 10:45 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its Virtual Office in China, kicked off its participation in the 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair 2025 by organising a research symposium titled 'Prospects for China–Middle East Relations in Light of Global Transformations', held at the centre's booth at the China National Convention in the seminar—moderated by Farida Bai Yi Nan, Head of the Arabic Language Department at China Today magazine—discussed the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in enhancing Arab–Chinese economic integration, the opportunities and domains of cultural and educational cooperation between China and Arab countries, China's position on key Middle Eastern issues, and how Chinese intellectual elites perceive partnerships with Gulf and Arab Jiyuan, a researcher at the Centre for Arab Studies at Zhejiang International Studies University, emphasised that cultural cooperation is a vital component in China–Arab relations. She noted that the exchange of knowledge and culture between China and Arab nations has reached a solid level. For example, over 48 universities in China teach the Arabic language, and enthusiasm for learning Chinese is rising across the Arab world. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have both incorporated Chinese into their national education curricula, and there are currently more than 20 Confucius Institutes across the Middle Al Shehhi, Senior Researcher and Deputy Head of the Scientific Research Sector at TRENDS, stated that China–Arab relations represent a unique model of civilisational interaction, merging the authenticity of tradition with future aspirations for prosperity. What unites Arab nations and China, he said, is a shared vision for a prosperous future that does not come at the expense of history or cultural Shehhi added that recent years have witnessed significant developments in bilateral relations—not only in trade but also in deep cultural and educational cooperation, which serves as the cornerstone of building bridges of mutual understanding between pointed out that it is impossible to speak of Sino–Arab cooperation without mentioning the UAE model, as the UAE is not only China's top trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, but also the most advanced in cultural collaboration. The UAE has announced investments totaling $10 billion in joint cultural and educational projects with China over the next ten Yuxin, a researcher at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, explained that both the UAE and China are committed to playing positive roles in achieving peace and defusing regional and global conflicts—especially in the Middle East, a region of central importance to the entire world. Yang added that China is the top trading partner of the UAE, while the UAE is the largest market for Chinese exports and a key investment destination for China in the Middle East. In recent years, cooperation in renewable energy, photovoltaic power plants, and wind energy has witnessed significant growth. The UAE is also the primary destination for Chinese tourists in the region, with more than one million tourists last year, alongside over 100 Chinese schools in the UAE—further enhancing educational and cultural exchange.
