- The AAIR Initiative to strengthen the role of Agentic AI and intelligent academic agents in academic research and international publishing
The Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF), in collaboration with the University of Dubai and the Arab AI Index in Universities (AIU), has announced the launch of the fourth cohort of the Arab AI Researchers (AAIR) initiative, scheduled for November 5–7, 2026.
The initiative will bring together four Arab universities — the University of Dubai, the University of Khorfakkan, Badr University in Cairo, and Al Qasimia University — to enhance the capabilities of Arab researchers and academics in utilizing Agentic AI technologies and developing intelligent research systems that support scientific productivity and international academic publishing.
The University of Dubai, in collaboration with AIJRF, first announced the Arab AI Researchers (AAIR) initiative in June 2025. Since then, three cohorts have been conducted under the framework of the Arab AI Index in Universities, which was launched at the University of Dubai in 2024.
AI Agents for International Academic Publishing
The fourth edition will be held under the official theme:
“Arab AI Researchers: From Generative AI to Intelligent Academic Agents in Academic Research.”
The new edition will feature 15 hours of hands-on training over three days, introducing participants to more than 15 AI tools and applications.
The program will focus on transitioning from the individual use of generative AI tools to developing intelligent academic agents capable of performing interconnected research tasks under human supervision and in accordance with academic integrity and governance standards.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Abdulzaher, CEO of the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF), said the fourth edition represents a significant evolution in the initiative’s approach, with a comprehensive focus on developing AI agents and strengthening the role of Agentic AI as an intelligent research assistant.
He stated:
“Through this edition, we aim to move beyond the concept of researchers simply using artificial intelligence toward a new model in which researchers lead intelligent ecosystems of specialized academic AI agents. We will train participants to build AI agents that support scientific publishing in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, while also developing teams of agents to manage literature reviews, research surveys, interviews, and data analysis. This will allow Arab researchers to devote greater attention to critical thinking, innovation, and meaningful scientific contributions.”
Dr. Abdulzaher emphasized that Agentic AI will not replace researchers’ intellectual creativity or scientific contributions but will fundamentally reshape the research skills required in the coming years.
He added:
“Agentic AI will not eliminate the creative or scientific role of researchers. Rather, it will redefine the research competencies needed in the years ahead. The ability to design, manage, and evaluate academic AI agents, while verifying their outputs, will become an essential skill for researchers and university faculty members. Those who master prompt engineering and the management of AI agents will be better positioned to manage academic and educational content efficiently.”
Three Practical Training Modules
The fourth edition introduces a substantial development in its training structure through three main hands-on modules designed to enable participants to build and manage specialized academic AI agents.
- Developing an AI Agent for Research and Publishing in Scopus-Indexed Journals
The first module focuses on training participants to design and develop an AI agent that supports scientific research and international publication in journals indexed in Scopus.
The training will cover searching academic literature, analyzing references and previous studies, identifying suitable journals within specific research disciplines, reviewing publication requirements, and assisting in the preparation of scientific manuscripts in accordance with recognized academic standards.
- Developing an AI Agent for Publishing in Web of Science-Indexed Journals
The second module focuses on developing a specialized AI agent to support international academic publishing in journals indexed in Web of Science.
The agent will assist researchers in analyzing scientific publishing trends, identifying appropriate academic journals, reviewing manuscript preparation requirements, improving the quality of research papers, and checking their alignment with journal guidelines, editorial policies, and research ethics.
- Building an Academic Multi-Agent Research Team
The third module focuses on developing an integrated Academic Multi-Agent Team, in which each intelligent agent is assigned specific research responsibilities.
These responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, analyzing previous studies, processing quantitative and qualitative research data, managing research surveys, supporting the design of academic interviews, and analyzing interview findings.
The module seeks to empower researchers to manage hybrid research teams that combine human expertise with the capabilities of specialized AI agents.
This approach is expected to improve research efficiency, reduce the time required for repetitive tasks, and allow researchers to focus on higher-value intellectual and scientific activities while maintaining full human responsibility for the accuracy of findings, the reliability of sources, and academic decisions.
Four Arab Universities Strengthen Academic Collaboration
The participation of the University of Dubai, the University of Khorfakkan, Badr University in Cairo, and Al Qasimia University reflects the initiative’s expanding network of academic partnerships and its commitment to promoting knowledge exchange among Arab higher education institutions.
The initiative seeks to establish an Arab research community capable of benefiting from global advances in artificial intelligence, encouraging collaborative research projects among universities, supporting Arabic-language scientific knowledge production, and strengthening the international academic publishing presence of Arab researchers.
The program targets university faculty members, researchers, postgraduate students, professionals working in research and innovation centers, and specialists in the application of artificial intelligence in higher education.
Arab AI Index in Universities: Supporting Academic Transformation
The fourth edition forms part of the joint efforts of the University of Dubai, AIJRF, and the Arab AI Index in Universities (AIU) to advance the integration of artificial intelligence technologies across Arab higher education institutions.
These efforts aim to develop academic and research competencies associated with digital transformation, technological innovation, and the growing adoption of Agentic AI in university education and scientific research.
The Arab AI Index in Universities seeks to promote greater awareness of the readiness of Arab universities to adopt artificial intelligence applications in teaching, research, and innovation.
It also supports the development of more advanced academic ecosystems capable of responding effectively to technological developments and evolving labor market requirements.
Practical Projects and Professional Certificates
Participants in the fourth edition are expected to conclude the program by developing practical projects involving specialized academic AI agents that can be applied within their respective research disciplines.
The final projects will emphasize the practical implementation, scalability, and potential integration of intelligent agents into scientific research and higher education environments.
Participants who successfully fulfill the program requirements will receive a certificate of training completion in accordance with the initiative’s approved guidelines.
About AIJRF
Founded in Dubai in 2018, the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF) is an international research and applied institution specializing in artificial intelligence, media, content creation, scientific research, and future forecasting.
AIJRF continues to develop specialized academic and professional training initiatives focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while strengthening partnerships with universities, research institutions, and academic organizations across the Arab region and internationally.
Through initiatives such as Arab AI Researchers (AAIR) and the Arab AI Index in Universities (AIU), the institution seeks to support the responsible integration of AI technologies into scientific research, academic publishing, and higher education.
Registration
Researchers, academics, and postgraduate students interested in participating in the fourth cohort of the Arab AI Researchers initiative may register through the official AIJRF training platform:
Registration Link: https://aijournalism.net/en/welcome-to-the-aijrf-training-program/
About AIJRF
Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF) is the first leading academic and applied institution and think tank in media studies, artificial intelligence and content in general, the Media of the Metaverse , and technologies of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions. It was founded in 2018 in the United Arab Emirates, by a group of professors and researchers specialized in media studies, artificial intelligence, the fourth industrial revolution, and the humanities.
AIJRF currently has more than 25 global and regional initiatives in artificial intelligence, media, and university education, and has more than 120 training programs, including “professional diplomas” and specialized programs in using artificial intelligence tools and applications and integrating them into a number of specializations, including : “Education, Media, Intelligent Government Services, Financial Services, Marketing, the Metaverse, Future Cities, Sustainable Development, and creating all forms of content using artificial intelligence.”
AIJRF Works on Three Main Pillars:
1- AIJRF provides Academic and scientific research, reports and educational curricula in Artificial Intelligence Journalism, Media of Metaverse, 7G Journalism, Robotization of Marketing and AI & Media.
2- AIJRF works to develop new tools, technologies, Apps and solutions in the content industry through artificial intelligence and Metaverse in the fields of: media, education, healthcare, and the Intelligence Government Services.
3- AIJRF Develops and upgrades the Dynamic Human Skills (DHS) of individuals, institutions, universities and governments in line with the requirements of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions and the skills of the future and Media of Metaverse.
About the Arab AI Index in Universities (AIU)
In May 2024, the University of Dubai and the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF) announced the launch of the Arab Index for Artificial Intelligence in Universities (AIU), the first global index of its kind dedicated to monitoring and analyzing the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into humanities and theoretical disciplines within higher education institutions.
The index assesses AI integration through six main indicators and a total of 18 sub-indicators, covering key areas such as academic curricula, university faculty members, smart laboratories, students’ AI skills, and scientific research.
The Arab Index for Artificial Intelligence in Universities (AIU) is an international benchmarking and assessment initiative published by AIJRF, a pioneering global institution specializing in artificial intelligence research and technologies associated with the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, in collaboration with the University of Dubai.
The AIU Index serves as an applied assessment framework designed to measure the extent to which artificial intelligence technologies are integrated into humanities and theoretical academic disciplines across leading Arab universities, including top-ranked Arab higher education institutions based on international university rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings.
Main Indicators of the AIU Index
The index is structured around six main indicators and 18 sub-indicators, providing a comprehensive framework for evaluating AI integration in higher education.
- Educational Curricula
Evaluates the extent to which AI technologies, tools, and applications are integrated into academic curricula, course content, teaching methodologies, and learning outcomes across university disciplines.
- University Professors
Assesses faculty members’ AI competencies, professional development, and ability to effectively integrate artificial intelligence tools and technologies into classroom instruction, academic assessment, and teaching practices.
- Smart Laboratories
Measures the availability, accessibility, and utilization of AI-powered laboratories, intelligent educational facilities, and technological infrastructure that support practical learning, academic experimentation, and student projects.
- Student Skills
Evaluates students’ AI literacy, practical competencies, digital readiness, and ability to apply artificial intelligence technologies in academic learning, research activities, and real-world projects.
- Scientific Research Index
Measures universities’ research activities, scientific output, publications, and academic contributions related to artificial intelligence, including AI-driven research projects, interdisciplinary studies, and international scientific publishing.
- Integration Metrics
Assesses the extent to which universities adopt comprehensive institutional strategies, governance frameworks, and operational mechanisms for integrating artificial intelligence and advanced technologies associated with the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions into academic, research, and institutional activities
________END______
For more Info and PR : media@aijournalism.net