Alwaleed Philanthropies conducts verbal abuse social experiment on metaverse 

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The Digital center on the Metaverse, launched in 2022, uses cultural dialogue, artistic exhibitions, and historical artifacts as a tool to bridge cultures. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 August 2023
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Alwaleed Philanthropies conducts verbal abuse social experiment on metaverse 

  • Study found 70% of bystanders did not respond to an intervention 
  • More should be done to safeguard users from intolerance in virtual spaces, says AP secretary-general

RIYADH: Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Alwaleed Philanthropies conducted a case study on the metaverse to measure users’ responses to verbal abuse in a virtual space.

AP Secretary-General Princess Lamia bint Majed said that the main goal of the study was to “capture a jarring discrepancy between the standards of social conduct in immersive spaces, versus what’s typically considered as acceptable behavior in the physical world.”

After receiving “unsettling reports citing abusive behavior” via its Digital Center on the Metaverse, AP decided to launch the study to advocate for meaningful change.

The social experiment was performed on artificial simulations acting as perpetrators and victims.

Users’ avatars were created to appear of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. The experiment observed users’ willingness to intervene in situations with discrimination, and how long it would take for them to do so.

The result revealed significant disparity in kinds of abuse, particularly about ethnicity or religious orientation.

All the instances of abuse took place in congested parts of popular metaverse platforms: Decentraland, Sandbox, and Spatial.

Seventy percent of bystanders showed no response at all, and if an intervention occurred, it took an average of 2:02 minutes to occur.

In the three experiments where users were exposed to racial abuse and discrimination, no users intervened — despite taking place in typically crowded areas on the platform.

However, when the perpetrators’ avatars verbally harassed them due to their ethnic and religious backgrounds, there was a response from 2.8 percent of users.

Princess Lamia said: “We needed to show how a prevailing culture of ‘lawlessness’ in the virtual world could undermine the progress and values we fight for.”

She added: “Although we provide a snapshot of abusive behavior on the metaverse, it’s clear that more should be done to safeguard users from intolerance in virtual spaces.

“We all have a collective responsibility to drive social change, which often starts by changing mindsets.”

AP has remained committed to using its platform to combat social misconceptions and promote meaningful inclusion in the metaverse.

Its Digital Center on the Metaverse uses cultural dialogue, artistic exhibitions, and historical artifacts as tools to bridge cultures, allowing users to learn more about Islamic history and culture. 

“The digital-cultural nexus is a springboard that can help raise awareness around our shared history, so we’re excited to continue working in this new and exciting space,” the princess said.

“Rather than gate-keeping cultural resources, users were able to access exhibitions and engage with new ideas in cyberspace.

“We saw how social polarization grew in digital spaces, so we thought about using the same technology to foster tolerance and inclusion through education and dialogue,” she added. 

The organization has also launched Alwaleed Cultural Network in collaboration with many known institutions such as Harvard and Oxford University to promote cross-cultural dialogue through education.

Princess Lamia highlighted the importance of being responsible and accountable amid technological progress. 

“We can’t let rapid technological change compromise our historic progress on inclusion and tolerance. Generally speaking, accountability always comes back to a broader sense of ‘collective good,’” she said.

“We firmly believe that accountability is, and will always be, an active pursuit. So, whether we work on expanding access to cultural resources, or advocating for better safeguarding measures on the metaverse — our message focuses on protecting the inclusion and freedom we fight for. This helps build on our social consciousness, at both the individual and community levels,” she added.


‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh 

Updated 04 July 2025
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‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh 

  • Artist’s work depicts serene scenes of mountains and lakes
  • Exhibition showcases cultural ties between China and Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Art Pure Gallery Foundation is currently hosting an exhibition, “Songs of Silence in Nature,” by the renowned Chinese artist Shu Li.

Organized in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the exhibition opened on June 24, 2024 and will run until July 25, 2025 in the Saudi capital. 

A leading figure in contemporary Chinese art, Shu Li has held distinguished roles within China’s national cultural institutions.

His works have been showcased in more than 20 countries, including the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Italy. 

He has received numerous international accolades in countries such as Russia, Belgium, the US, Ukraine and India, and is a distinguished academician of the Russian Academy of Arts. 

His paintings are featured in some of China’s most iconic venues, including the National Art Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, and the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party.

He has also published more than 20 catalogues chronicling his artistic evolution. 

Shu Li’s work blends traditional Chinese techniques with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.

Characterized by tranquil landscapes, his pieces often depict mist-shrouded mountains and serene lakes. These works invite viewers to enter a meditative and reflective state. 

“Art is not merely a visual encounter,” the artist explained, “but an emotional journey.

“Through my oil paintings, I aim to capture those fleeting moments of beauty that enrich our daily existence.

“My work is a dialogue between the canvas and the world it portrays — a world where light dances across surfaces and color speaks more powerfully than words.

“Each painting is an exploration of texture, form and the expressive potential of oil as a medium. I draw inspiration from nature, human experience and the myriad ways in which art connects us to both. I invite viewers to do more than just observe my work; I want them to feel it and enter the narrative that each painting weaves.”  

This exhibition is part of an increasing cultural dialogue between China and Saudi Arabia. It reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen their artistic exchange and deepen the ties between these two ancient and influential civilizations. 

Contemporary Chinese art embodies a rich synthesis of millennia-old traditions and modern perspectives.

Since the late-20th century, Chinese artists have experimented with various forms, including painting, sculpture, installation and video, to explore the tensions between heritage, rapid urbanization and evolving social realities.  

Often merging classical craftsmanship with avant-garde techniques, they explore themes of identity, collective memory and the challenges of the present age. 

Today, China’s vibrant art scene is widely recognized internationally, with many leading Chinese artists playing a pivotal role in reshaping the global contemporary art landscape. 

The Art Pure Gallery Foundation is a leading Saudi cultural institution founded in 1999.


AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

Updated 04 July 2025
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AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

  • Launched in September 2024, AI skills program targets citizens of all ages and professional backgrounds

RIYADH: A total of 334,000 Saudi Arabia citizens have benefitted from a government program aimed at empowering citizens with artificial intelligence skills, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The “One Million Saudis in AI” program was set up in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in September 2024.

During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted key features of the program.

He said the partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom globally in empowering women in AI, and community awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Launched at the Global AI Summit, the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, or ATHKA Competition.

More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said.

One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on AI concepts.

Another was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” initiative, which trained over 10,000 teachers.

The SDAIA and Education Ministry had also established the Center for Excellence in Education.

This was “designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes.”


Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.


Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.

A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.

Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.

The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.

At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
 


Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

Updated 03 July 2025
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Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

  • Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.

Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.

Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.

Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.

“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”

The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.

He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change. 

He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.

The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.