As AI shapes everything around us, Qatar is doubling the key role of the core science field. The Star of Science– Makes a universal impact to create local innovation.
Doha, Qatar, September 15th, 2025 /prnewswire/ – Crossing the Qatar and Arab worlds, competition for the use of artificial intelligence is intensifying. Government, university and startup incubators are aligned to transform the region into an AI hub. But amid this momentum, the main voices of science and technology are spurring a return to the fundamentals. In particular, studies like MIT reveal that students who rely on ChatGPT showed the lowest brain involvement and consistently performed lower than peers using search engines.
As the longest ju apprentice in Stars of Science, Professor Fouad Mrad returns to Season 17, bringing decades of expertise to the next generation of Arab innovators.
This vision is embodied The Star of Scienceit's now 17 seasons. The edutainment show captures the innovation journey of young Arab innovators who transform their ideas into real-world solutions rooted in scientific principles. Far from treating AI as a buzzword, the program highlights the importance of ground breakthroughs in tested data experiments, already generating innovations with 14 AI-powered innovations.
“AI applies science at its heart,” says Professor Fouad Mrad, one of the show's longest-serving ju-secret umpires and one of its scientific advisors. “What I learned two years ago may already be outdated. But the basics are with you.”
This belief is woven strictly into Qatar's broader agenda to build a diverse, knowledge-based economy. Under Qatar National Vision 2030, the country continues to invest in scientific research and science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) education at all levels. The launch of “Fanar,” the Arabic Generation AI platform by Hamad bin Khalifa University, will enable Arabic-speaking innovators to apply AI in a science- and context-based way.
Even at the global stage, this view is entrenched. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google Deepmind and 2024 Nobel Prize winner, recently highlighted that success in AI still depends on mastering basic fields such as mathematics, physics and biology. His reasoning is simple. AI is a powerful amplifier of knowledge and is not a replacement.
This approach already shapes the work The Star of Science Alumni who demonstrates that AI can transform entire fields when combined with scientific principles.
Dr. Ahmad Nabeel, a Kuwaiti finalist for Season 9, created “Klens,” a self-cleaning laparoscope that addresses the longstanding challenges of minimally invasive surgery: lens occlusion. The device uses predictive AI trained with surgical data to detect when fog and liquids will impair vision, and may trigger a cleaning mechanism before the view is impaired.
Rather than reinventing the solution, Nabeel's innovation is based on proven medical practices enhanced through AI. Today he leads Gulf Medical Technology. In 2024, his company partnered with Mayo Clinic to further develop and commercialize “Clen.” Through this work, Nabeel illustrates how AI can affect strengthening rather than shortcuts, rather than scientific processes.
This integrity of education, innovation and mentorship can also be seen in the wider ecosystem of the Qatar Foundation. Continued support from Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), the global hub of impactful deep tech, and members of the Qatar Foundation The Star of Science and other startups as part of their mission to create a future where technology and science have a positive impact on humanity and nature. At Web Summit Qatar 2025, QSTP has launched programs like shell.ai Futures pitches to support AI-focused sustainability ventures reinforce the country's commitment to science-backed innovation.
Going forward, Mrad believes future success in AI across the Arab world will be defined by those who use scientific foundations as their starting point.
“The most influential ideas we see are those that combine AI with deep domain knowledge,” he said. “We hope that in the coming season there will be more projects that will not only use AI, but also enhance it through science.”
By celebrating innovators who invest in education, build AI tools and use AI responsibly, Qatar will not only respond to global change, but also help define it.
Following the competitor's journey as they build impactful AI The Star of ScienceFind the latest broadcast details Starsofscience.com.
About The Star of Science:
Through 17 years of success, The Star of Science – Qatar Foundation (QF)'s edutainment TV initiative – Leveraging its position as the best innovation show in the Arab world, it has enabled Arab innovators to successfully create innovative ideas and strengthen the culture of innovation among young Arabs. In a sustainable journey that began in 2009, the show aims to help young Arab innovators develop technical solutions for their communities, improve people's well-being, provide economic opportunities for local citizens, and promote sustainable development.
Over 12 weeks, competitors will experimentally develop solutions in the field of shared innovation, competing with time with mentorship and support for a team of experienced engineers and product developers.
The ju apprentice panel will evaluate and select more promising innovators and their projects weekly in several prototyping and testing rounds until the three finalists compete to win the grand prize. Jury deliberations and online voting from the public will determine the rankings of the two top winners.
To find out more The Star of Scienceplease see: Website, Facebook, TwitterYouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and LinkedIn
For media inquiries, please contact us. oussama rahal – orahal@webershandwick.com
Acclaimed innovator and season 9 finalist Dr. Ahmad Nabir is now in his fourth guest ju umpire at Stars in Science Season 17, bringing his journey from innovator to Mentorful Circle.
Stars of Science alumni, Mohammed Al-Qassabi, captures a moment of celebration with contestants during the casting of Stars of Science Season 17.
Stars of Science Season 16 finalist Nada Elkharashi worked in the lab as he was improving the project during the development stage.
Watching Arab innovators take the stage in Season 17 of Science Star, they compete for the title of Arab Top Innovators.
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