KUWAIT: Women of different ages got the chance to get hands-on with one of Kuwait’s oldest crafts through a workshop teaching participants how to weave decorative and functional cup coasters using traditional Sadu techniques. Held at Sadu House and organized by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) in collaboration with Al-Sadu Society, the workshop offered a beginner-friendly introduction to simple loom weaving with colorful wool threads. It’s one of various activities featured as part of the 17th edition of Kuwait’s Summer Cultural Festival.

“This workshop attracted many adults who love handicrafts and those just starting out in weaving,” said trainer and Sadu Society member Hayat Al-Balushi, in a statement to KUNA. “Participants made circular cup coasters that add an elegant touch to the table,” she added, noting that all necessary materials were provided on site.

Al-Balushi praised the NCCAL’s efforts in organizing the workshop and similar initiatives during the summer break. “These kinds of activities help young people and children use their free time productively and creatively, while strengthening their skills and connection to cultural identity,” she said.

She explained that Sadu is one of the oldest traditional crafts in Kuwait and the Gulf region, rooted in Bedouin life. “It involves weaving wool on a simple handmade loom, with geometric patterns that carry symbolic meanings drawn from the desert environment and folk beliefs,” she said.

Historically, Sadu weaving was used to make tents, camel saddles, rugs, and decorative home items. In recognition of the craft’s cultural importance, Kuwait established Sadu House in 1979 as a heritage center dedicated to preserving and teaching Sadu weaving to new generations. The center regularly hosts workshops and exhibitions to support local craftswomen and highlight the art form’s role in expressing national identity.

In March 2025, the World Crafts Council officially designated Kuwait City as a World City of Sadu Weaving, honoring its leadership in the field and commitment to preserving intangible heritage. This recognition reflects Kuwait’s cultural institutions’ dedication to protecting and passing on this traditional craft. — KUNA

By Lujain Marafie

KUWAIT: Anyone nowadays can turn their ideas into reality with the mere clicks of a button. Visualizing an elephant playing basketball or a basketball in the shape of an elephant? AI can do that for you. Even more abstract ideas pose no issue for these algorithms.

But does this use of technology make everyone an artist? Can an elephant-shaped basketball generated with AI be considered art? If the definition of art has already been controversial, the introduction of AI into the artistic sphere has made this debate all the more heated.

Definitions and distortions

“You can’t really define art, it’s different according to everyone,” says Omar Al-Nakib, a visual designer. “Marcel Duchamp would say: If you call yourself an artist and you put something in a space in which it’s supposed to be observed and appreciated, you’ve made a work of art. So, it could be anything. Art is not beauty; art is not ugliness. Art is not a descriptor.”

Nasser Hussain, a videographer and graphic designer, agrees that it’s difficult to define. However, the lines become even more blurred when discussing AI art. Hussain adds that “if you’re putting everything on AI, then no, it’s not art. But, for example, if you have a vision that can’t be drawn and you want to see it, then yes. But to fully create an art with AI is not art.”

Zainab Al-Mashoor, another graphic designer, agrees. “AI is required in my field because it really helps me. Before I would spend half an hour editing something, but AI makes it in a minute,” she says. “But if you rely on it 100 percent, how can you be an artist? You just know how to use the tools, and that’s great, but then who is the actual artist? AI.”

Some artists consider AI to be helpful for retouching their works and turning their ideas into reality. “I mostly use it to remove stuff from images or videos,” says Hussain. “Something that needs to be cleaned, so it doesn’t show. Other times, I use it if I have a vision and I don’t have time.”

Other artists have chosen not to incorporate AI into their art. “I’ve personally never used AI for my art,” says Al-Nakib. “I have no interest because it kills the joy. And the reason why is not because I think I’m above it or anything like that. It’s because the whole point of making art is discovery. I love finding my way into this sort of creative flow state – and for me, AI takes the fun out of it.”

The (basketball-playing) elephant in the room

At this point in time, AI can do more than take the fun out of art – some argue that it has the potential to snatch away artists’ entire livelihood. “Concept artists are gone, people who work in creative agencies are experiencing massive layoffs,” says Al-Nakib. “Generally, in the commercial sphere, when you’re dealing with corporations, AI has already replaced artists and the people who would’ve made money off something.”

“I think that the artistic middle class is gone now,” continues Al-Nakib. “You’re either going to make a lot of money off your art, or you’re going to make no money at all.”

Hussain has similar thoughts, specifically with regards to professions like photography. With AI, a simple shot taken by a phone can be easily turned into a professional product, therefore removing the need for a professional camera — and the person behind it. “That’s a very big hit for photographers … I can’t even say it’s replacing; it’s just gone. The title of photographer will not be there.”

Al-Mashoor does not share similar worries. “When AI first came out, people were scared of it, saying that ‘it would replace us.’ But in my surroundings, it’s not happening. People need AI now. This is a trend, and if you’re in media work, you need the trends. If you want to reach, you need to use what people use.”

Will AI truly replace artists?

“You can generate anything by AI, but can it really give you what you want? We should adapt, but we should also be creative. We should try to be better than AI,” says Hussain.

Al-Mashoor isn’t so sure what the future has in store, but she nonetheless holds positive views on AI integration. “It’s amazing. You know those old movies that show how the future is? AI makes you see that. It’s like, we’re here now, and they’re showing you a better future, and better videos.”

Al-Nakib has other ideas. “Maybe I’m an optimist or maybe I’m just stupid, but I don’t think AI is really going to replace artists. I think that people are always going to want human-made art,” he says. “As humans, we always look for parasocial relationships — like how you would go to a movie if Timothée Chalamet was starring in it. The point is: you want to have that connection.”

“Maybe in the future it will be segmented. It’ll be like: this is created by AI and this is created by humans,” Al-Nakib continues. “But I think people are still always going to make art, and there will always be people who appreciate that.”

KUWAIT: Environmental sustainability has taken center stage in Kuwait’s national agenda, with the government intensifying efforts over the past two years to outline long-term strategies aimed at reducing pollution, preserving natural resources, and tackling climate change. Backed by the country’s leadership, including directives from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Cabinet has been actively reviewing the national low-carbon roadmap — a key element of the country’s sustainable development policy.

Minister of Oil Dr Tareq Al-Roumi and officials from the Environment Public Authority (EPA) recently presented the roadmap’s vision, which aims to boost national resilience to climate change through innovation, green investment, and circular carbon economy solutions. The roadmap remains in its early implementation phase.

Kuwait has also expanded coordination with China through memorandums of understanding focused on low-carbon systems, renewable energy, waste recycling, and wastewater treatment infrastructure. These agreements are expected to support the country’s broader environmental targets under its “New Kuwait 2035” vision.

Carbon neutral by 2060

In line with that vision, the EPA in November 2023 announced the “Low Carbon Strategy 2050” in cooperation with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and other state sectors. Kuwait became the second Gulf country to submit such a strategy, reaffirming its commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The strategy outlines Kuwait’s long-term goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 through expanded use of renewable energy and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. As of now, implementation details have not been made public.

Progress has included the release of Kuwait’s first State of the Environment report, published last year in cooperation with UNEP. The report offers an in-depth review of seven key issues: climate change, waste management, land and water resources, air quality, biodiversity, and marine and coastal environments. It also examines Kuwait’s institutional and legal environmental frameworks, though follow-up actions on its findings have not yet been disclosed.

The EPA has since announced four strategic environmental projects: The national environmental strategy; a monitoring and enforcement system for the national waste management strategy; a national strategy to combat desertification; and a plan to enhance environmental data management. Details on these projects, which are under development, are not publicly available, but they are expected to guide future policy. They aim to strengthen public-private cooperation, improve performance indicators, and enable better data sharing across agencies to support long-term environmental planning.

Waste management strategy

One of the most detailed initiatives is the National Waste Management Strategy 2040 (KNWMS), announced in mid-2024. It was developed by the EPA in partnership with the German Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), following a five-year study — one of the most comprehensive in the Gulf region to date.

The project team analyzed waste generation trends, studied 20 major landfill sites, and interviewed over 400 waste stakeholders. They also tested hundreds of waste samples and installed 100 electronic “e-noses” in odor-intensive areas to monitor air quality. The resulting strategy sets 28 national goals, including reducing landfill rates and increasing recycling of construction and municipal solid waste. A new geo-database and digital monitoring tools were created to help agencies track and manage waste more efficiently. While the strategy provides a robust framework, its implementation is still in the early stages.

Renewable energy in-progress

Efforts to integrate sustainability into everyday life are also reflected in Kuwait’s development plans. A national program for environmentally harmonious living areas promotes efficient resource use and pollution reduction, with a focus on building eco-friendly cities that use green infrastructure and smart technology. The Fourth Kuwait Master Plan (2040) supports green buildings and improved urban sustainability. Many of these initiatives remain at the policy or pilot-project level. On the legislative front, Kuwait’s environmental protection law outlines measures to safeguard ecosystems, reduce pollution, and promote biodiversity. It includes provisions to identify pollution sources, prevent harmful practices, and impose penalties for violations.

At the 2025 Kuwait Sustainable Energy Conference, the government reaffirmed its plan to derive 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem said Kuwait is pursuing “carefully planned projects” that align with both international climate commitments and national development goals. However, specific milestones or progress updates are yet to be reported.

Kuwait’s renewable energy plans fall into three categories: Long-term initiatives such as the Shagaya project; medium-term projects like Abdaliya; and small-scale efforts under a national energy code requiring all facilities to produce at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources. The Shagaya complex, developed via a public-private partnership, is expected to deliver 1,600 MW in two phases — 1,100 MW in the first and 500 MW in the second.

Combatting desertification

Other government bodies are also involved in environmental efforts. The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) is leading afforestation campaigns across Kuwait, including in northern and southern border areas. Drought-resistant trees like Sidr and Tamarix are being planted to reduce dust pollution and combat desertification. Public parks and green spaces are being expanded, though comprehensive data on completion rates or outcomes has not been made available. Urban green infrastructure is expanding through public gardens, some spanning entire residential districts. Projects for natural reserves and eco-tourism are under discussion, with some initiatives underway.

International organizations have acknowledged Kuwait’s recent environmental actions. UNEP’s Regional Director for West Asia, Sami Dimassi, highlighted Kuwait’s commitment to developing “responsive strategies that meet both current needs and future goals.” Meanwhile, Ghada Al-Taher, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, praised the country’s engagement in efforts to combat desertification, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. — Agencies