FII conference to host speakers in ‘futuristic settings’ using new technology
January 27, 2021, 11:24 am

FII conference to host speakers in ‘futuristic settings’ using new technology

FII Future Investment Initiative logo. (AFP)

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute announced that speakers for the FII conference were to be integrated into “futuristic settings” throughout the live event using a new technology called XR Studio, according to a statement.

XR Studio uses a mix of virtual and real-world environments and realities, creating objects in a virtual world that users can interact with as if they were real. The organizers hope for the technology to create an immersive and interconnected environment for attendees at the virtual summit.

“We are narrowing the gap between the physical conferences of the past and the virtual events that have become the new normal during the pandemic,” Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute said in the statement.

The event, now in its fourth edition, is being held under the theme of the ‘The Neo-Renaissance’, with over 150 speakers of which some will be attending from hubs in Paris, Mumbai, Beijing, and New York whilst others will attend the conference in real life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

XR Studio has been installed at the site of the conference, the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center (KAICC).

The virtual sets were specifically created for the occasion. The technology offers futuristic, multi-dimensional environments dedicated to a variety of themes.

“This format will mean that even though we can’t meet in person, we can still mobilize, interact, exchange ideas and challenge current thinking. This is the future of events and conferences- and we are proud that the FII Institute is pioneering this new approach,” Attias added.

The event will take place from January 27-28 and will be attended by tech pioneers, investors, executives, and policymakers to maximize the potential of this impact-oriented conference.

The speakers, of whom 60 will be attending in-person and 90 virtually, will discuss how the new rebirth of the global economy could be shaped despite the barriers imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

source: Tala Michel Issa

Image source: AFP

Levant

EU asks AstraZeneca to publish vaccine contract as supply row deepens Australian watchdog orders government to compensate migrants for privacy breach

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”