Speaking at SIBF 2025, the author and former Google executive urges young people to seek truth, master their fields, and safeguard human connection
Mo Gawdat led an insightful conversation on happiness, technology and modern life at the 44th
Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), urging young people to reclaim truth, prioritise
relationships, and build meaningful lives in an age increasingly shaped by algorithms. The
author and former Google executive stressed that happiness is a conscious, daily choice
strengthened by clarity, discipline, and emotional intelligence.
Speaking at a session titled “How to Achieve Success and Happiness in Challenging Times”,
Gawdat offered his take on the friction between rapid technological advancement and human
well-being. He warned against the rise of shallow digital content and called for critical thinking,
resilience, and deeper engagement with one’s surroundings. In a world filling up with AI,
automation and misinformation, he said, human connection and integrity remain vital.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Gawdat spoke about his deeply moving personal experience
after the loss of his son, explaining that what he learned from his journey was patience,
acceptance, and the importance of focusing on life’s meaningful moments. This, he noted, is
what inspired him to write his book on happiness, with the aim of spreading a positive,
educational message and expanding its impact to reach millions of readers.
Gawdat also addressed the continuing relevance of books in a digital world, commanding the
role of Sharjah International Book Fair in advancing the culture of reading. While acknowledging
that fast-evolving fields like artificial intelligence are often better followed through digital
platforms, he emphasised that books still offer unmatched depth and remain essential for
building critical understanding.
Turning to AI, Gawdat challenged widespread misconceptions by arguing that artificial
intelligence itself is not dangerous. Rather, he said, the risk lies in human misuse. Technology
does not decide how it is applied — “humans do” — whether in automating jobs or services.
Drawing on his experience at Google, he highlighted AI’s potential to address global challenges,
from optimising systems to advancing cancer research, while calling for informed and ethical
development.
He also cautioned against the dominance of superficial trends and misinformation on social
media, noting how constant noise weakens attention spans and distorts public judgment.
Authenticity, he stressed, is needed now more than ever. He urged audiences to question the
content they consume, refine their discernment, and remain anchored to facts. He concluded by reiterating that the pursuit of happiness begins internally, not through changing external circumstances. Many, he said, lose their sense of fulfilment by searching in the wrong places. Instead, he called for a return to clarity, purpose and shared human values as the foundations of a more grounded and content society.
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