University of Sharjah has launched an ambitious international conference probing the profound impact of artificial intelligence on society, drawing scholars from 40 nations under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah. The conference is organized by the Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the University of Sharjah (UoS).

The Second International Conference on Applied Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, themed "The Future of Society in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," convened with addresses from key figures including UoS Chancellor, H.E. Prof. Esameldin Agamy, and Sharjah police commander Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer. Over three days, nearly 300 research papers will fuel more than 45 sessions and workshops, fostering global dialogue on AI's ethical challenges, societal shifts and sustainable innovation.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Agamy highlighted the unprecedented pace of the development of AI as a transformative force across all facets of life, urging the humanities and social sciences not merely to keep up but to steer its trajectory. He also stressed the University's commitment to applied research that tackles AI's ripple effects on families, governance and economies, blending interdisciplinary collaboration with evidence-based solutions to balance innovation and ethical responsibility.

Bin Amer, speaking as a keynote, showcased Sharjah Police's proactive embrace of smart digital systems, which anticipate nine future domains through 41 scenarios translated into cutting-edge cybersecurity tools. These innovations enhance response times, service quality and adaptation to evolving crime patterns.

Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research, underscored the need for multidisciplinary inquiry to grasp AI's societal footprint, while institute director, Prof. Fakir Al Gharibeh noted the event's role in forging academic partnerships. Nobel literature laureate Prof. Abdulrazak Gurnah joined other luminaries including UNESCO chair Maria Montoya, Lima University President, Norka Patricia Stewart and Oslo Metropolitan University's Oscar Westlund for keynote speeches.

Local institutions such as UAE University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, Al Ain University, Ajman University and Sorbonne Abu Dhabi also participated. A companion exhibition, "Smart Solutions for Community Security," featured partners like Sharjah police, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and the Sharjah Government Media Office.

Sessions delved into predictive crime analysis, ethical AI in research, green innovations for environmental governance, Islamic and legal applications, and emerging media trends in health and fine arts, all aimed at equipping society for an AI-driven tomorrow.