Our ability to think critically the key to future:experts at SIBF

The discussion titled Business Management: Navigating the Present and Shaping the Future moderated by media personality Abdul Karim Hanif, featured notable experts Nadim Sadek, Dr Abderrahman Tenkoul, and Abdulla Alhasawi sharing perspectives on how cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics are reshaping business management.

“AI operates and processes information at incredible speeds, and soon it will drive everything from aeroplanes to sewage systems with remarkable efficiency. So, what will remain uniquely human? Our capacity to feel,” said Irish-Egyptian marketing entrepreneur and author Nadim Sadek, who in 2022 founded Shimmr AI – an automated advertising business that uses AI to drive e-commerce marketing services for publishers and musicians. 

“We’re moving into a new era where the role of knowledge itself is shifting. Historically, wisdom meant retaining and recalling information, but today that’s no longer essential. We’re transitioning from ‘hard disk’ thinking to a ‘streaming’ mindset—learning to organise and access data sources as needed. With AI delivering vast amounts of information, critical thinking and source evaluation become vital skills.”

Author, financial trainer and content maker Abdulla Alhasawi also stressed on the ‘human role’ in harnessing the powers of AI. “With an unprecedented flow of information coming our way, critical thinking and analytical skills are more essential than ever. We need to distinguish between what’s logical and what isn’t, honing our problem-solving abilities to find solutions independently rather than relying solely on AI. We must play an active role in guiding technology, not just depending on it,” said Alhasawi, who’s written two books including Aleiadat Almaliatu (From an idea to creating wealth).

Dr. Abderrahman Tenkoul, who teaches management and institutional communication at the Euromed University of Fes, said: “The real challenge for humanity is learning to journey into the future while staying true to ourselves. It’s remarkable—our lives now intertwine multiple realities, and we think of countless things all at once. In the past, we feared time management. Today, we create the unexpected but try to control the predictable. I’m grateful to witness this incredible era, where we must ride these waves of change. Embracing the unknown nourishes the human soul and gives life a unique flavour.”

The session underscored the importance of establishing a strong digital framework as businesses pivot toward more agile and innovative approaches. The speakers emphasised that leveraging data to gain insights into customer behaviour and streamline processes has become essential for achieving long-term growth and competitiveness.