Hashem Al-Gayli, a science communicator and filmmaker, was able to bring his film ideas to life that would previously have required Hollywood-level budgets, major studios, and large production teams. This situation has changed thanks to the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Al-Gayli believes that individual creators are no longer limited by a lack of access to expensive equipment or large crews; instead, only their imagination limits them. He noted that AI-based tools have made the production process more accessible and faster, allowing independent creators to realize projects that previously demanded enormous resources.
His works reach over 45 million subscribers across various platforms and have garnered over 100 billion views, including more than 30 billion video views. He is currently sharing his experience as a judge in the AI category at the second edition of KT+150, where he is part of a panel of 15 judges helping to determine the next generation of innovators and change-makers in the UAE.
The KT+150 list aims to recognize the 150 most active residents of the UAE aged 35 and under, with 10 laureates selected from each of the 15 categories. The public can nominate candidates themselves or on behalf of others via the specified link. Candidates will be evaluated by the KT Editorial Policy Committee and a professional judge from the relevant field.
When evaluating nominees in the AI category, Al-Gayli looks not only at technical skill. Originality, quality of execution, project impact, and the underlying idea play an important role, but the strongest ideas, in his opinion, must retain a distinctly human element. He emphasized that the project must evoke an emotional response in people, rather than appearing robotic or entirely generated.
Technical skills are important, but they are not the sole deciding factor. Al-Gayli stated that skills develop over time, and having a compelling idea and vision for its realization is far more important. Furthermore, he will consider whether the project provides tangible benefit, inspires people, solves a problem, educates, or elicits genuine emotional engagement. If the work has already been published, audience reaction can provide additional insight into the depth of viewer engagement.
Al-Gayli added that the thought behind the idea is as important as the final result. He expressed enthusiasm for what he will see among the KT+150 nominees and how they use AI for storytelling and innovation.
Al-Gayli's journey began long before social media and artificial intelligence became central elements of his work. His interest in science arose in childhood when he published interesting scientific facts in children's magazines and spent hours reading about topics that fascinated him most. He recalled that science was always his favorite subject in school due to an interest in fundamental questions: the principles of how things function, the origin of humanity, and the composition of the universe.
In 2008, while pursuing a bachelor's degree in biotechnology at Peshawar University in Pakistan, he discovered the potential of Facebook as a platform for disseminating scientific knowledge to a wide audience. He began publishing educational science content on his personal profile, driven by the same curiosity that prompted him to share facts in magazines as a child.
Over time, his aspirations changed: he wanted to do more than just explain complex concepts; he wanted the audience to feel connected to them. Since he has always loved stories, films, and cinema, combining storytelling with science seemed like a natural progression. He believed that storytelling possesses an incredible ability to make complex ideas understandable, emotional, and memorable.
For several years, Al-Gayli continued to publish educational science content. In 2015, he converted his Facebook profile into a public page, which allowed him to better analyze audience engagement and understand what people liked. Around the same time, he decided to transition to video content, which, according to him, 'completely changed everything.'
After this, he expanded his activities to YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, and other social media platforms. Looking back, he notes that it all started with a simple passion for sharing scientific knowledge with others. Today, his ideas can arise from almost any source: it could be a recently published scientific study, an interesting story he heard, or an old film that inspires a completely new direction.
When he finds an idea, Al-Gayli spends significant time refining it. He creates a plan, thoroughly researches the topic, and revisits it multiple times until he is satisfied with the structure and message. This iterative process, he says, is extremely important.
Although AI has become an integral part of this workflow, Al-Gayli clearly asserts that the ideas always originate from the creator. He sees AI not as a replacement for creativity, but as a creative partner that assists in brainstorming, refining and critiquing concepts, generating visual and video sequences, and realizing ambitious stories in ways that were previously unavailable.
For Al-Gayli, it is important to distinguish between using AI as a tool and perceiving it as a creative force. He concludes that ultimately, AI remains merely a tool, and the human remains the creative force that sets the direction, writes the prompts, shapes the narrative, and makes creative decisions.
The Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen in the near future, according to Donald Trump, who mentioned that 'very good discussions' were taking place during a visit to California. When questioned later while heading to his Air Force One plane bound for Las Vegas, Trump predicted that this reopening could happen 'tomorrow [today] or the day after'.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, had reported on Tuesday progress in negotiations involving Iran and Oman, whose coastlines border the strait. According to Axios, citing unnamed regional sources, a provisional 60-day agreement is being debated to manage passage through the strait between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman.
This preliminary agreement stipulates that all maritime traffic passing through the strait must use a northern route in Iranian waters, and any departing vessel must follow a meridional trajectory in waters under Omani control, all without the collection of tolls or passage fees. During these 60 days, the central channel would be cleared of mines.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, spoke by phone about efforts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran and bring the two parties closer, according to a statement from the Qatari palace.
As a result of the resumption of diplomatic dialogues, oil prices fell on Wall Street and also in Asian markets on Wednesday morning. The international benchmark Brent barrel plummeted to $78.47 (71.40 euros), and the WTI barrel dropped to $74.73 (68 euros).
The protocol of the agreement signed in June had initiated a 60-day process aimed at definitively ending the Middle East war and resolving various issues, including the Iranian nuclear issue. This agreement also allowed traffic to resume in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global hydrocarbon trade, which had been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the conflict, leading the United States to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.
However, these improvements were brief, as hostilities resumed at the beginning of July, breaking the protocol. Iran intensified its control again after the resumption of American attacks, and ships daring to pass through the strait without Tehran's permission face frequent consequences.
Iran had denied on Monday any talks with Washington, claiming it was only negotiating with Oman. The country does not wish to return to the pre-war situation and currently only authorizes a route along its coasts. Furthermore, Iran discusses the collection of service fees, which is rejected by the United States and other countries, as it contradicts international maritime law.
Donald Trump, who oscillates between promises of mass destruction and optimistic statements about overcoming the crisis since the beginning of the conflict, had previously threatened to 'attack forcefully' the Islamic Republic days before suspending such plans.
Another area of conflict manifested in the Red Sea, involving the Houthi rebels of Yemen, allies of Iran, and Saudi Arabia. These rebels announced a maritime blockade of Saudi ports on July 20 and attacked several vessels. In response, the military coalition led by Riyadh launched attacks against Houthi military installations.
An Indian ship was sunk on Tuesday after being attacked by the Houthis, according to a Yemeni official to the France-Presse agency. Indian authorities confirmed that the 14 crew members were rescued.
The Exalt Mausoleum, designed by Jim Caumeron Design, represents a distinct architectural approach in the field of funerary monuments. While most structures of this type direct visitors' gaze downwards, the Exalt does the exact opposite.
This particular mausoleum was commissioned while the family patriarch was still alive and is located in the Philippines. The project transforms what would be a place of mourning into an environment dedicated to preparation.
Conceived as an architecture of elevation, the design proposes a reconsideration of the spatial language traditionally linked to the concepts of death and memory.
The project team described Minzu Lane Coffee, located on Minzu Road, a historic street in Zhongshan rich in urban memories. The original building is a traditional qilou dating back to the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, characterized by its brick masonry and wooden structure, even retaining its original fireproof walls.
The renovation addressed two simultaneous issues: optimizing the internal space, which is long and narrow, to meet the operational demands of a coffee shop, and at the same time, carrying out a gradual renewal that reintegrated the building into the surrounding historical urban landscape.
The project was presented on ArchDaily in Portuguese.
