Call for Papers

International Conference on Artificial Intelligence – A Bridge to the Future (ICAI 2026)

Dear Scholars, Researchers, and Industry Professionals,

Ahlia University is pleased to invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world to participate in the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence – A Bridge to the Future (ICAI 2026).

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way we live, work, and innovate. From transforming industries and redefining business models to enabling smarter cities and sustainable solutions, AI has become a powerful force driving the future of societies and economies worldwide.

The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence – A Bridge to the Future aims to provide a dynamic international platform for presenting cutting-edge research, exchanging ideas, and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.

The conference will bring together leading experts and emerging scholars to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence and its applications across multiple sectors including business, finance, education, governance, healthcare, and smart technologies.

Hosted by Ahlia University in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the conference will be organized in a hybrid format, enabling both in-person and virtual participation from scholars and professionals across the globe.

Conference Tracks and Topics

Submissions are invited under the following thematic areas:

The Philosophical Foundations of AI

The concept of machine consciousness and self-awareness
Mind vs. Machine: The metaphysics of artificial minds
Free will, decision-making, and moral agency in AI systems
AI and the philosophy of mind: Can machines think?
Ethics of artificial creation and synthetic life

Technical Tools and Theories of AI

Machine learning algorithms and architecture
Deep learning, reinforcement learning, and neural networks
Natural Language Processing and Generative AI (e.g., GPT, BERT)
Explainable AI and trustworthy systems
AI safety, robustness, and risk management
Quantum computing and its implications for AI

Applications of AI in the Real World

AI in healthcare: diagnosis, treatment, and medical imaging
AI in education: adaptive learning and virtual tutoring
AI in finance and business intelligence
AI in transportation and autonomous systems
AI in the arts, media, and entertainment
AI for climate science and environmental sustainability

The Impact of AI on Humanity

AI and the future of work: automation and labor markets
AI governance, policy, and global regulations
Social justice, bias, and algorithmic fairness
Human-AI interaction and augmented intelligence
The cultural and psychological effects of AI integration
AI and global equity: Bridging or widening the digital divide.
Artificial Intelligence: Local and International Legal Perspectives

Publication Opportunities

All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process conducted by at least two independent reviewers to ensure the quality and academic integrity of the conference contributions.

Accepted papers written in English will be published in the conference proceedings/book, which will be published by Springer. The proceedings will be assigned an ISBN and are expected to be indexed in Scopus.

In addition, a selection of high-quality papers presented at the conference will be invited for submission to the Journal of Business and Socio-economic Development, published by Emerald Publishing and jointly owned by Ahlia University and University of Business and Technology. The journal is indexed in Scopus and ranked in Q1.

https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jbsed

Invited papers will be required to undergo further development and an additional peer-review process in accordance with the journal’s editorial policies and the publication procedures of Emerald Publishing, and in full compliance with the ethical standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Important Dates

Conference Dates: October 14-15, 2026

Paper Submission Deadline: September 14, 2026. ‎

Deadline for registration of authors of accepted papers: October 5, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your valuable research contributions and welcoming you to join leading scholars and innovators in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence.

Note: For more details, you can visit the conference website: ahliaai.com; and you can submit your paper via the following link: https://confmanage.com/account/RegisterUser/?id=85

Kind Regards, ‎

Ahlia University

Manama, Bahrain.

Email: esaldhaen@ahlia.edu.bh

Email: ahmdan@ahlia.edu.bh