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The future is artificial, but ethical decisions remain human

The future is artificial, but ethical decisions remain human

The future is artificial, but ethical decisions remain human
While the future may be artificial, our ethical decisions remain very much human. (Shutterstock photo)
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In a world where artificial intelligence is poised to rule our lives, one man stands at the intersection of technological advancement and ethical oversight: Mr. Gus.

With a flair for irony and a heart of gold (somewhere beneath the layers of skepticism), Gus is on a mission to restore dignity to our historical sites and water caves — places that have suffered under the relentless assault of plastic and human negligence.

As Techville embraces its reputation as a hub of innovation, it is hard to ignore the plastic pollution that silently chokes our beloved natural wonders. Socrates McHipster, a local philosopher, once said: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Yet, in Techville, it seems the unexamined rubbish is here to stay. Gus, a self-proclaimed environmentalist with a PhD in sarcasm from the University of Everyday Life, has taken it upon himself to lead the charge against this growing crisis.

“You’d think with all the AI we have, we could program people to not throw their trash everywhere,” Gus mused, surveying the remnants of last weekend’s picnic at Crystal Water Cave. “But here we are, drowning in a sea of plastic straws and forgotten snack wrappers, like a bad dream brought to life by a malfunctioning AI.”

As AI continues to revolutionize industries from healthcare to dog grooming, it raises a compelling question: Can AI teach us ethical behavior? Perhaps a robotic conscience could be the answer. Picture this: an AI system programmed to chastise litterbugs, reminding them of their moral obligations with an eerie yet oddly endearing voice.

“Hey, buddy, did you really think that chip bag belonged in the cave?” the AI could say, followed by an awkward silence, a pause for reflection, and maybe a robotic sigh. Ah, ethics in the age of machines.

But as we know, the irony of our digital age is that while technology advances, human behavior often lags behind. The ancient philosopher Aristotle wisely declared: “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” In Techville, knowing yourself seems to include knowing which trash can is closest — often leading to the conclusion that “the nearest bush” is an acceptable disposal method.

Gus, armed with a recycled clipboard and an unyielding spirit, has assembled a motley crew of fellow Techville residents, including techies, environmentalists, and those who just really love wearing matching T-shirts. Together, they’re committed to cleaning up their city, but not without a good dose of irony.

“Some say we should harness AI to manage waste,” Gus said while deftly dodging a half-buried plastic bottle at the cave entrance. “But I’d settle for teaching people to manage their own waste first. Maybe AI can help us learn to remember basic concepts like ‘don’t litter’ and ‘we don’t live in a dumpster.’”

As AI continues to revolutionize industries from healthcare to dog grooming, it raises a compelling question: Can AI teach us ethical behavior?

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago

His team, known as “The Green Guardians of Techville,” have made it their mission to not only clean up but also educate the community on ethical behavior in our increasingly plastic-laden society. They’ve even created a catchy slogan: “Trash it, and you’ll crash it!”

As the Guardians tackle the plastic plague, they often find themselves reflecting on history. Techville, known for its innovation, is also home to historical sites that deserve better than to be adorned with plastic. “It’s like putting a clown wig on the Mona Lisa,” Gus said. “You wouldn’t do that to a masterpiece, so why do it to our natural wonders?”

Philosopher Immanuel Kant once stated: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.” If only everyone could adopt this principle when reaching for a snack. If we all acted with the consideration that our actions have broader implications, perhaps Gus wouldn’t have to remind us that a water cave is not a rubbish bin.

Yet, as Gus and his crew dive into the depths of this ethical quagmire, they encounter the undeniable truth: the challenge is not simply to remove the rubbish; it’s to address the human condition itself. The ethical conundrum isn’t just about plastic, it’s about our capacity for change.

“Maybe we need AI to give us the moral pep talk we’ve been avoiding,” Gus mused. “Something like, ‘Hey, remember that time you threw your trash on the ground? How did that work out for you?’”

As Techville prepares for the upcoming “Clean Up the Cave” event, Mr. Gus reminds us that while technology can help, it’s ultimately our responsibility to change. “AI might be the future,” he said, “but the real question is: Are we ready to evolve alongside it?”

With a wink and a wave, he added: “Now if only we could program it to make a decent cup of coffee while we ponder our ethical dilemmas.”

In a city grappling with its own contradictions, Mr. Gus stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that while the future may be artificial, our ethical decisions remain very much human. And as we look ahead, perhaps we’ll find that it’s not just about cleaning up our caves, but also cleaning up our act.

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago, viscount of Espes, is a Spanish national residing in ֱ and working at the Gulf Research Center.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Israel approves major West Bank settlement project

Israel approves major West Bank settlement project
Updated 1 min 44 sec ago

Israel approves major West Bank settlement project

Israel approves major West Bank settlement project

JERUSALEM: Israel approved a major settlement project on Wednesday in an area of the occupied West Bank that the international community has warned threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.
Israel has long had ambitions to build on the roughly 12-square-kilometer (five-square-mile) parcel known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, but the plan had been stalled for years amid international opposition.
Critics say the settlement would effectively cut the West Bank in two, undermining hopes for a contiguous Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Last week, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich backed plans to build around 3,400 homes on the ultra-sensitive tract of land, which lies between Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim.
“I am pleased to announce that just a short while ago, the civil administration approved the planning for the construction of the E1 neighborhood,” the mayor of Maale Adumim, Guy Yifrach, said in a statement Wednesday.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority swiftly slammed the move.
“This undermines the chances of implementing the two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state on the ground, and fragments its geographic and demographic unity,” the PA’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added the move would entrench “division of the occupied West Bank into isolated areas and cantons that are disconnected from one another, turning them into something akin to real prisons, where movement is only possible through Israeli checkpoints and under the terror of armed settler militias.”
All of Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law, regardless of whether they have Israeli planning permission.
Israel heavily restricts the movement of West Bank Palestinians, who must obtain permits from authorities to travel through checkpoints to cross into east Jerusalem or Israel.
King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday also affirmed his country’s rejection of the E1 project, saying “the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.”
Violence in the West Bank has soared since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war.
Since then, Israeli troops and settlers have killed at least 971 Palestinians in the West Bank, including many militants, according to health ministry figures.
Over the same period, at least 36 Israelis, including security forces, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations, according to official figures.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned last week that constructing Israeli homes in the E1 area would “put an end to” hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Aviv Tatarsky, a researcher at Ir Amim, an Israeli NGO focusing on Jerusalem within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, also condemned the move.
“Today’s approval demonstrates how determined Israel is in pursuing what Minister Smotrich has described as a strategic program to bury the possibility of a Palestinian state and to effectively annex the West Bank,” he said.
“This is a conscious Israeli choice to implement an apartheid regime,” he added, calling on the international community to take urgent and effective measures against the move.
Far-right Israeli ministers have in recent months openly called for Israel’s annexation of the territory.
Israeli NGO Peace Now, which monitors settlement activity in the West Bank, said last week that infrastructure work in E1 could begin within a few months, and housing construction within about a year.
Excluding east Jerusalem, the West Bank is home to around three million Palestinians, as well as about 500,000 Israeli settlers.


Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals

Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals
Updated 9 min 58 sec ago

Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals

Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals
  • The championships, staged earlier this month on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Thailand, brought together elite competitors from 13 nations

JEDDAH: ֱ’s rowing team returned from the 2025 Asian Coastal (Beach Sprint) Rowing Championships with a haul of four medals, marking one of the Kingdom’s strongest international performances to date.

The championships, staged earlier this month on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Thailand, brought together elite competitors from 13 nations, including rowing powerhouses China, Japan, Korea, the UAE and Kuwait.

Despite the stiff competition, the Saudi contingent delivered a performance that underlined the growing strength of the sport in the Kingdom.

Among the highlights was a silver medal for rising talent Mofleh Al-Khalidi, who produced a superb display in the Junior Men’s Singles event.

Al-Khalidi also partnered with Abdullah Al-Mami in the Junior Men’s Doubles, where the duo battled through the heats to claim bronze.

In the senior categories, Moayad Al-Rashidi secured a bronze medal in the Men’s Singles, while the mixed pairing of Haya Al-Mami and Turki Al-Aref added further success with a bronze in the Mixed Doubles.

The Saudi team, which included athletes Abdullah Al-Hay, Radaan Al-Dossari and Al-Jazi Al-Ibrahim, was guided by a technical and administrative coaching staff led by head coach Matthew Tarrant, alongside Fernando Ferraz and Humood Al-Shammari.

Saudi Rowing Federation Vice President Sherine Abu Al-Hassan and Executive Director Yousef Jleidan provided support throughout the competition, with officials noting the impact of their presence in lifting the squad’s morale.

In a statement, the federation hailed the results as a milestone, describing it as evidence of the sport’s rapid development across the Kingdom.

The federation said that it would continue working to nurture a new generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest continental and international levels.


Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow joint fight against militancy, to extend CPEC to Kabul

Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow joint fight against militancy, to extend CPEC to Kabul
Updated 19 min 45 sec ago

Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow joint fight against militancy, to extend CPEC to Kabul

Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow joint fight against militancy, to extend CPEC to Kabul
  • Foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, Afghanistan meet in Kabul to discuss political, economic and security cooperation
  • All sides agree to bolster trade, transit cooperation, extend China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, says Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad, Beijing and Kabul have pledged to strengthen joint efforts against “terrorism,” deepen cooperation in several sectors and extend a multi-billion-dollar energy and infrastructure project to Afghanistan, the Pakistani foreign office said on Wednesday following talks between the three sides in Kabul.

The trilateral dialogue between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan was institutionalized in 2017. It aims to promote political trust, counterterrorism coordination and economic integration between the three countries.

The talks helped ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, who have been at odds with each other amid a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan. There has been a thaw in relations after both sides agreed to elevate diplomatic ties in May to the ambassadorial level. China brokered the deal in an informal meeting in Beijing to improve relations between the two neighbors, under which it was also agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.

“The Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue was held on 20 August 2025 in Kabul,” Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said in a statement issued after the meeting, which was attended by the foreign ministers of the three countries.

“The three sides committed to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism,” the statement said, adding that the dialogue focused on political, economic and security cooperation between the three.

“They [Pakistan, China & Afghanistan] also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture, and combating drug trafficking as well as extension of CPEC to Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said.

CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that aims to connect China and Pakistan through a network of roads, railways, and energy pipelines.

Dar held a bilateral meeting with his Afghan counterpart, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the sidelines of the dialogue. Both welcomed the recent elevation of diplomatic ties between the two countries from chargé d’affaires to the ambassadorial level, a separate statement from the foreign office said.

“Dar acknowledged the encouraging progress in political and commercial ties, while expressing progress in the security domain, especially in counterterrorism, continues to lag behind,” the foreign office said.

Dar highlighted a recent surge in militant attacks inside Pakistan, saying the attacks were perpetrated by groups operating from Afghan soil.

He urged Afghan authorities to take “concrete and verifiable measures” against entities such as the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)/Majeed Brigade.

Islamabad alleges these militant groups, which carry out attacks against Pakistani law enforcers, operate from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Kabul denies the accusations.

“The Afghan Acting Foreign Minister reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to ensuring its territory is not used by any terrorist group against Pakistan or other nations,” the statement added.

‘VERY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT’

Foreign affairs experts said the trilateral dialogue in Kabul was a “positive development” that could help address Pakistan and China’s shared concerns over “terrorism.”

“This is a very positive development as Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan sat together and agreed to work jointly to rid the region of terrorist elements,” Naghmana Hashmi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to China, told Arab News.

She said the commitment expressed by the three neighboring countries to extend CPEC to Afghanistan was also an encouraging sign that would help the project achieve its true potential.

“It is a natural extension, since without peace in Afghanistan and smooth transit routes through its territory, CPEC cannot fully deliver for Pakistan, which needs access to Central Asian states and beyond,” she added.

Former Pakistani diplomat Asif Durrani said the outcome of the meeting would become evident in the coming weeks, depending on whether cross-border “terrorism” incidents take place or not.

“It is an ongoing process and some improvement has taken place, so we remain cautiously optimistic and keep our fingers crossed,” he said.

Durrani said growing engagements at the leadership level were encouraging for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“It is important that both countries keep talking, as seen in the case of Pakistan and India, where dialogue stopped and unresolved issues created a visible regional impact,” he added.

The trilateral talks took place as Pakistan presses ahead with a deportation drive against “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghans, which it launched in 2023 citing security fears and illegal migration.

The process has continued in phases, with Islamabad now planning to expel documented Afghan refugees after Sept. 1, having refused to extend their stay permits.


JIAT addresses allegations that coalition forces targeted temple, clinic in Yemen

JIAT addresses allegations that coalition forces targeted temple, clinic in Yemen
Updated 16 min 36 sec ago

JIAT addresses allegations that coalition forces targeted temple, clinic in Yemen

JIAT addresses allegations that coalition forces targeted temple, clinic in Yemen
  • Team concluded that coalition forces did not target Al-Maqqah temple on Jan. 14, 2016
  • Team concluded that coalition forces did not target a medical clinic in Khamis Marran on April 1, 2015

RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team on Wednesday issued a statement regarding the allegation that coalition forces targeted Al-Maqqah temple in the Sarwah directorate of Marib governorate in Yemen on Jan. 14, 2016.

The National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights in Yemen reported that Houthi fighters seized archaeological sites in Sarwah, including Al-Maqqah temple. The commission alleged that Arab coalition aircraft struck the site with a missile, causing partial damage to its columns and monuments.

After reviewing various documents, including mission schedules, post-mission reports and satellite images, JIAT found that coalition forces, responding to a request from the legitimate government, carried out a close air support mission against a gathering of Houthi fighters.

In a press conference in Riyadh, JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour said: “Coalition forces, under the guidance of a forward controller, carried out a close air support mission on a gathering of Houthi fighters entrenched in a camouflaged location, about 350 meters from Al-Maqqah temple, using one guided bomb that hit its target directly.”

JIAT said coalition forces conducted no air missions in Sarwah on Jan. 13 or Jan. 15, 2016. Specialists also studied satellite images of the temple and found no traces of aerial targeting.

The team concluded that coalition forces did not target Al-Maqqah temple on Jan. 14, 2016, as claimed.

JIAT also addressed another allegation that coalition forces targeted a gas station in the Harib directorate of Marib governorate on Sept. 3, 2015.

After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, execution procedures, post-mission reports, satellite images and JIAT’s field visit report, the team confirmed that the gas station was located in Harib city, in the eastern part of Marib governorate.

Satellite images and field inspections showed the site consisted of a canopy with gas dispensers, a hangar and a building. 

JIAT found no damage to the canopy or dispensers. Traces of damage were observed on the hangar, though the cause could not be determined, while the building contained bulletholes.

By studying coalition air missions on Sept. 3, 2015, JIAT found no operations over Harib city. Similarly, no missions were carried out on Sept. 2 or Sept. 4.

JIAT concluded that coalition forces did not target a gas station in Harib city on Sept. 3, 2015, as claimed.

JIAT also addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted a medical clinic in Khamis Marran in the Haydan directorate of Saada governorate on April 1, 2015.

The claim, included in a March 2020 report by Physicians for Human Rights, alleged that coalition aircraft struck the clinic, though no coordinates of the site were provided.

After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports, satellite images and coordinates provided by the legitimate Yemeni government, JIAT confirmed that the clinic is located in the southwestern part of Saada governorate and was listed on the coalition’s no-strike list.

Satellite images showed the site consisted of one building surrounded by a fence with signs of damage, though the cause could not be determined.

Analyzing coalition air missions on April 1, 2015, JIAT found that forces carried out a strike against a military target 3,500 meters away from the clinic, using guided bombs that hit their target precisely. Images of the strike site confirmed traces of aerial targeting.

JIAT added that no missions were carried out in Khamis Marran on March 31 or April 2, 2015.

The team concluded that coalition forces did not target the medical clinic in Khamis Marran on April 1, 2015, as claimed.

JIAT further issued a statement regarding the allegation that coalition forces targeted a water truck in Al-Baydha governorate on March 4, 2019.

Reports claimed that at 1 a.m. on that date, coalition aircraft struck a water truck on its way to Hariah dam to collect water.

After examining various documents, including air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports, satellite images and coalition rules of engagement in line with international humanitarian law, JIAT found that the claimed location lacked specific coordinates.

Analyzing coalition air missions on March 4, 2019, JIAT found no evidence of operations in Al-Baydha. Similarly, no missions were carried out there on March 3 or March 5.

The team concluded that coalition forces did not target a water truck in Al-Baydha governorate on March 4, 2019, as claimed.


Moderate to heavy rains to hit Makkah, most of Saudi regions

Moderate to heavy rains to hit Makkah, most of Saudi regions
Updated 48 min 54 sec ago

Moderate to heavy rains to hit Makkah, most of Saudi regions

Moderate to heavy rains to hit Makkah, most of Saudi regions
  • National Center for Meteorology forecasts strong winds, hail and thunderstorms
  • General Directorate of Civil Defense also called for caution and adherence to guidelines due to the rainy weather forecast for several regions

RIYADH: In much-awaited relief from the searing heat of this summer, most of the regions in ֱ, including Makkah, Jazan, Najran and Asir, will experience moderate to heavy rainfall starting Thursday.

The welcome rain will continue until the middle of the next week, according to the forecast by the National Center of Meteorology.

The center forecast on Wednesday issued a warning of moderate to heavy rainfall in Makkah, accompanied by strong winds, reduced visibility, flash floods, hail and thunderstorms.

It indicated that these conditions are expected to persist until 9 p.m.

Forecasting light to moderate and heavy rainfall in different areas across the Kingdom, the center said that starting on Thursday, Jazan and Baha regions will experience heavy rainfall continuing until the weekend, while moderate rains are expected until the middle of the next week.

The holy city of Makkah, the resort city of Taif and the Asir region will experience moderate to heavy rainfall until the middle of the next week, whereas Jeddah will experience light to moderate rainfall.

Najran and Badr areas will receive moderate to heavy rains, while Madinah and Yanbu will experience light to moderate rainfall.

According to the center, the Saudi capital region of Riyadh and the Eastern Province will experience light to moderate rains this weekend.

Amid the warning of rainfall accompanied by strong winds, reduced visibility, flash floods, hail and thunderstorms, the center called on the public to follow its weather updates on its website and social media platforms and to adhere to the instructions of the relevant authorities, including the Civil Defense, to ensure public safety.  

The General Directorate of Civil Defense also called for caution and adherence to guidelines due to the rainy weather forecast for several regions.

The Civil Defense team in Jazan is prepared for field efforts during the rainy days, it said, posting pictures of their rescue team ready for the rainy weather.

"#ForYourSafety ... During rainfall ... stay away from low-lying areas, water gatherings, and valleys,” the General Directorate posted on its social media platforms, including X.

Abdullah Alotaibi, from Taif, who is working in Riyadh, told Arab News: “This forecast came as a big sigh of relief from the ongoing scorching heat. With the welcome showers expected in many parts, the weather will turn pleasant with temperature going down and people will feel better after drizzle in different parts.”   

“We are eagerly awaiting for rain in Riyadh, currently experiencing excessive heat, to reduce the mercury level,” he said.