Abu Dhabi Bridges Civilizations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence The 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations & Tolerance Conference concludes with urgent calls for ethical AI, family-centered policies, and a new global compact for coexistence
More than 4,500 policymakers, faith leaders, academics, diplomats, and technologists from over 120 countries convened on Abu Dhabi this week for one of the most ambitious conversations yet on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the most fundamental unit of society: the family.
The 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations & Tolerance Conference (IDCT 2026), held at the Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi under the UAE’s Year of the Family declaration, delivered a message heard across five continents: technological progress must serve human dignity — not erode it. Over three intensive days, the most urgent questions at the intersection of faith, family, and artificial intelligence were placed before the world’s leading voices in religion, governance, and technology.
Organized by the Emirates Scholar Center for Research & Studies in partnership with the Abrahamic Family House — the landmark Abu Dhabi complex housing a mosque, church, and synagogue under one roof — the conference positioned the family as the frontline where civilizational values will either be strengthened or fractured by the AI revolution.
“We want religions as a part of the solution, not the problem. Religions are a great power that can be a bridge for communication between people. Without tolerance of others, wars will occur.”— H.E. Shaykh Abdalla Bin Bayyah, Chairman, UAE Fatwa Council & Head, Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace
The numbers alone tell a story of rapidly growing global appetite for this kind of dialogue. Compared to the first edition in 2024, which drew roughly 500 participants from 30+ nations, IDCT 2026 more than doubled in reach — recording over 4,500 attendees from 120+ countries and more than 200 speakers drawn from governments, the United Nations system, major faith institutions, human rights bodies, universities, and youth networks.
Access the complete IDCT 2026 session agenda, speaker schedule, and track details via the Emirates Scholar Center.
View Full Programme at emiratesscholar.com →“Tolerance is not just a virtue; it is a necessity for global stability. Scientific research must lead the way in embedding these values within the daily behavior of societies.”— Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO, TRENDS Research & Advisory
- Strengthened academic research into AI’s effects on family structures and social cohesion
- Development of robust ethical frameworks for technology that prioritize human dignity and family integrity
- Scaled-up educational and media literacy programmes promoting intercultural understanding from a young age
- Proactive use of AI tools to enhance — rather than replace — human connection and cultural preservation
- Deeper institutional partnerships to turn the Document on Human Fraternity into measurable action
For observers of UAE foreign policy and soft power, IDCT 2026 offered further evidence of Abu Dhabi’s deliberate strategy to position itself as a trusted convener of difficult but necessary conversations. The presence of the Abrahamic Family House — the unique complex housing a mosque, church, and synagogue — provided both symbolic and practical infrastructure for the dialogue. As delegates departed, there was a palpable sense that IDCT has matured from a promising initiative into a vital annual institution.
In an age when technology often feels like it is pulling societies apart, the 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations & Tolerance Conference offered something rare: a space where faith leaders, scientists, policymakers, and youth could sit together and ask not only “What is happening to us?” but also “What kind of future do we want to build — together?” The work continues in 2027.
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