The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined global leaders at the International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance (IDCT) Conference in Abu Dhabi from June 3–5, 2026, organized by the Emirates Scholar Research Center. The conference highlighted the importance of families in an age shaped by new media and artificial intelligence.
Elder David A. Bednar Abu Dhabi UAE IDCT Conference
Elder David A. Bednar, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addresses the audience during the closing ceremony of the IDCT Conference on June 5, 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The conference, held under the theme “The Impact of New Media and AI on Family and Community,” brought together government officials, academics, religious leaders, media professionals and subject matter experts from the United Arab Emirates and across the world.
The Church was among the sponsors of the event, alongside organizations including the Abrahamic Family House, Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, and the American Jewish Committee. Brigham Young University (BYU) and FamilySearch also participated in the conference.
Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella of the Middle East/Africa North Area Presidency spoke during the conference’s opening ceremony, emphasizing the family as “the most important unit in society and the foundation for individual growth.” He noted that mindful use of media and AI can strengthen families, promote understanding and support values of faith and coexistence.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Addressing participants through a prerecorded message at the closing ceremony, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles highlighted the family as the central environment where character is formed, describing it as “a mirror that helps us become aware of imperfections” and the ideal setting to model wise and balanced technology use. He cautioned against being “captured by negative or addictive influences,” particularly in the age of AI.
Brigham Young University representatives played an active role at the conference in Abu Dhabi. BYU professors, including Richard Osguthorpe, Brett G. Scharffs and Brian J. Willoughby, contributed as featured speakers and panelists in discussions focused on the impact of media, AI and family life.
In addition to their speaking roles, BYU also maintained a dedicated presence within the conference exhibition space, engaging attendees and highlighting research and academic perspectives on strengthening families and communities.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
FamilySearch representatives engaged visitors at their booth, highlighting the importance of connecting with ancestors. They shared how family history can strengthen identity and relationships—an idea that resonates deeply in the Arab world.
Throughout the conference, members of the Church volunteered at the Church’s booth focused on children and technology. They engaged in conversations with conference attendees about the appropriate and safe use of technology.
Sister Jessica Satterley, who volunteered at the Church’s booth, said she was grateful for the opportunity to participate, calling it “an excellent event, with exceptional speakers who delivered powerful messages of support and unity across nationalities, faiths and cultures.”
“Having the chance to interact with people from many different countries and communities and find shared values was a real highlight for me personally,” she added.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Reflecting on the Church’s support of the IDCT Conference, Elder Bednar stated: “For a second consecutive year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is privileged to collaborate with Emirates Scholar Research Center and engage in this high-level forum. We value the forum as an opportunity to encourage thoughtful dialogue across different sectors.”
He added, “In the UAE ‘Year of the Family,’ the theme of this conference is particularly relevant. As we navigate the digital era, embracing modern technology thoughtfully and in a measured way is essential.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the family is central to God’s plan and that emerging technologies should be used in ways that strengthen family relationships and promote understanding among individuals and communities.
The Church engages in dialogue platforms in the UAE and across the globe to support initiatives that advance intercultural understanding and explore the role of AI and new media in strengthening social cohesion while giving careful consideration to ethical and well-being concerns.