Amman, September 9 – Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Forum hosted Professor Dr. Osama Al-Khatib yesterday evening as part of the 2025 Guest of Honor Program. Dr. Al-Khatib, considered one of the leading figures in robotics worldwide, gave a lecture moderated by former Minister of Investment, Eng. Muthanna Gharaibeh, sharing his experience in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence.
During the lecture, he highlighted the ethical and legal aspects of robotics and AI, as well as issues related to privacy, security, and more. Dr. Al-Khatib emphasized that robots and AI are rapidly transforming the world, likely to have a deep and comprehensive impact on the future across all aspects of life. He stated:
"Robots today are increasingly becoming part of our daily lives; we find them in factories, operating rooms, homes as smart assistants, and even on the roads as self-driving cars."
He also shared how his passion for the sea and nature led him to dedicate part of his research to exploring the ocean depths. Expressing this passion and his sense of environmental responsibility, he noted that after winning the “Arab Genius” Award, he decided to dedicate the award’s prize of one million UAE dirhams to support initiatives for ocean conservation.
Dr. Al-Khatib stressed the importance of creating a supportive environment for Arab scientists, noting that “many talented students lack opportunities,” and expressed his hope to see an Arab scientific renaissance, reclaiming the glory of the past when Arab scholars were at the forefront of civilization.
He outlined the key sectors likely to be affected by AI, including healthcare, education, the labor market, transportation, and everyday life in general.
At the conclusion of the event, the foundation’s CEO, Valentina Kassisieh, honored Dr. Al-Khatib for his significant scientific contributions and achievements, which have revolutionized the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Al-Khatib was born in 1950 in Aleppo, Syria, and moved to France in 1971, where he earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Montpellier, followed by a PhD in Automatic Systems from the National School of Civil Aviation and Aerospace in Toulouse in 1980.
In 1981, he joined Stanford University in the United States, progressing through academic positions until becoming a full professor in Computer Science. He is also one of the founders of the Stanford Robotics Lab, which he manages and holds academic positions at prestigious universities worldwide.
Dr. Al-Khatib has profoundly influenced the fields of robotics and AI, authoring over 300 groundbreaking scientific publications. He was among the early developers of methodologies such as Artificial Potential Fields (1978) and Operational Space (1980), along with pioneering innovations in motion control and interactive robot planning. His work contributed to the development of robotic platforms that became the foundation for modern robots.
He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Arab Genius Award 2024, the French National Order of Merit 2023, the Engelberger Robotics Award 2022, and prestigious IEEE awards. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and an IEEE Fellow and is considered one of the world’s leading trailblazers in robotics.
Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum organizes the Guest of Honor Program to explore the best global practices and experiences in development issues and to rally support for change within the framework of policies, procedures, and legislation. The program identifies world-renowned figures who have made significant contributions to their country in comprehensive development, education, or technological advancement.
The program began in 2015, hosting figures such as former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Dr. Philip Yeo, former head of the Singaporean Development Agency. The foundation also documents all Guest of Honor lectures to enrich Arab cultural content and provide a reference for researchers and interested parties.