Photo Credit: WAM
TRENDS Group continued its cultural and knowledge-focused participation at the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, marking the fourth consecutive day of activities with a programme featuring platform launches, research discussions, partnership agreements, book signings and professional training sessions.
The TRENDS pavilion welcomed a number of prominent visitors, while the fair’s main platform hosted the launch of OPINXT, a new initiative by TRENDS Barometre aimed at building a trusted and diverse community of respondents for research studies and public opinion polling.
The platform is designed to support surveys based on scientific standards and rigorous research methodologies, with pre-registration also opened for individuals interested in joining the OPINXT community.
Ibrar Mohammed Al Ali, Principal Researcher at TRENDS Barometre, said the initiative will give members the opportunity to play an active role in TRENDS Group research projects, particularly those related to opinion polling.
The pavilion also hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TRENDS Group and Barakat Holding in the presence of Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation, expand partnerships and explore new areas of joint work.
TRENDS also signed a distribution agreement with Dar Al Kitab Al Jami’i as part of efforts to widen the reach of its research and publications.
Several specialised books were highlighted during the publication-signing programme. These included The Strategic Imperatives of Artificial Intelligence in the UAE: A Comparative Analysis of the National AI Strategy 2031, authored by Emirati academic and artificial intelligence researcher Dr. Saif Saeed Al Neyadi.
Another publication, Space Diplomacy and State Trust: The UAE and the Strategic Rationale for Arab Space Cooperation, was also presented at the pavilion. The event featured Dr. Nasser Abdul Latif Bin Hamadi, Head of International Relations at the UAE Space Agency, and Dr. Mohammed Alimat, a university professor and researcher specialising in international relations and Middle Eastern affairs.
As part of its professional development activities, the TRENDS Training Institute organised a workshop titled Communication Media in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, led by AI researcher Isa Ali Al Manaei.
The workshop examined how artificial intelligence is transforming the media and communications industry, particularly in content production, news editing and report preparation. Participants were also introduced to the growing role of generative AI tools and data analytics in understanding audience behaviour and improving engagement.
TRENDS Global, in cooperation with Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, also organised a specialised dialogue session titled Intellectual Resilience: How Can We Build Tolerant Societies that Reject Extremist Thought?
Held on the Al-Farahidi Platform, the session brought together researchers and specialists to discuss ways of strengthening intellectual resilience and helping communities respond more effectively to extremist narratives.
The discussion was moderated by Hamad Abdullah Al Hosani, Principal Researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory, with Maria Al Hattali, Director of Research Centers at Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, also participating.
Speakers stressed the importance of cooperation between families, schools, universities and the wider community in building stronger intellectual resilience. They also highlighted national identity and inclusive citizenship as important elements in strengthening social belonging and protecting communities from cross-border extremist narratives.
The session further examined the role of traditional media and digital platforms in either promoting tolerance or contributing to polarisation. Participants emphasised the need to improve public awareness of digital content and encourage responsible engagement with online information to support social cohesion.
