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ABU DHABI: Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi hosted a thought-provoking exchange on Sunday as Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor Mo Amer joined Egyptian technologist and author Mo Gawdat for a panel titled “The Power of Personal Narratives in the Age of AI” at the annual Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries.

Over the course of the discussion, Gawdat — Google X’s former chief business officer and a prominent voice on artificial intelligence — warned of the rapid pace of technological change. “AI is already smarter than us in everything,” he said, adding that society faces a choice: use these tools to improve life or allow them to fuel greed, war, and control.

While he acknowledged AI’s transformative potential, Gawdat insisted that “it will never create a comedian,” because true comedy requires a uniquely human spark.

Amer responded with his trademark humor and touching perspective. Born in Kuwait and raised in the US, he recalled discovering stand-up in Houston and realizing immediately “this was it” because of the raw storytelling the art form allows.

“Comedy is the greatest art,” he told the audience, emphasizing that every comedian offers a different truth and connection. Amer reflected on his own journey to representation on platforms such as Netflix, hoping young viewers can see themselves in his story and feel empowered to tell their own.

The conversation moved fluidly between technology, faith, and creativity. Gawdat mused on whether AI could ever possess a “spark of spirit,” while Amer countered that humanity’s heart and soul cannot be replicated by machines.

When asked if he is scared that he could be replaced by AI, Amer said: “I’m not scared of AI because AI can never be me. A joke written by me, delivered by someone else, will never be the same. That’s happened to me before where I go up on stage and be like, ‘Let me show you how the joke is done.’ The joke kills and everyone’s laughing and they go, ‘Oh, it’s the person who is delivering the joke, who is the author of the joke, who really lands it.’”

DUBAI: The war in Gaza was certainly on the minds of some attendees at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

Megan Stalter, one of the breakout stars of comedy hit “Hacks,” showed up casual in a white T-shirt and jeans, but her handbag did all the talking.

The black purse had white tape on it with a simple message: “Ceasefire!”

And Javier Bardem, a nominee for best supporting actor in a limited series for “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” wore a black and white keffiyeh around his neck.

“A lot of people are giving me their support in whispers, and I go, ‘Don't whisper, say it out loud,’” Bardem told AFP on the red carpet.

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor did not want to talk about his work on “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” but rather the ongoing war in Gaza.

“At the end of August, the IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars who studied thoroughly the concept of genocide, called what is going on in Gaza today a genocide,” Bardem said. “And that’s why we ask for the commercial and diplomatic blockade and the sanctions on Israel to stop this genocide. Free Palestine.”

He continued: “We are getting together Film Workers for Palestine. It’s a great union (and) group that is getting more and more people attached. It’s also important to clarify to Paramount that we do not target individuals by their identity. That’s absolutely wrong. Don’t send that message, that is a wrong thing. What we target are those complicit film companies and institutions that are involved in whitewashing or justifying the genocide of Israel in Gaza and its apartheid regime. And we stand with those who fight and stand in solidarity with the oppressed.”

Commenters on social media also praised the media outlet’s reporter for not shying away from the statement  and instead inviting Bardem to expand on his views.

Meanwhile, best supporting actress Hannah Einbinder from “Hacks” used her victory speech to deliver a brief, but very much no-holds-barred statement that called for a free Palestine, slammed immigration raids in the US, and declared her support for the Philadelphia Eagles.