Cairo
Source: Al-Wafd Newspaper
Prof. Dr. Ali Mohammed Al-Khoury
Egypt is today considered one of the most promising countries in the Arab region to benefit from artificial intelligence technology. The government seeks to strengthen this vital sector through national policies launched to drive innovation, create new investment opportunities, and enhance efficiency across various sectors. It also aspires to become a regional hub for this advanced technology.
According to the World Economic Forum, investment in artificial intelligence is experiencing significant growth worldwide, with global spending on this technology expected to reach more than $300 billion by 2026.
In Egypt, the information technology sector is experiencing steady growth, with investments in this field reaching approximately $3.5 billion in 2022, with this figure expected to rise in the coming years. This growth reflects the government’s belief in the importance of developing artificial intelligence to support economic development and promote digital transformation.
Internationally, Egypt was among the countries that participated in drafting the recommendations document on the use of artificial intelligence in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This document, which focuses on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence, reinforces Egypt’s leadership position in this field, as it became the first Arab and African country to adopt these guidelines.
Among the areas expected to witness rapid growth thanks to artificial intelligence in Egypt are industrial applications in areas such as agriculture, energy, and healthcare. This technology can significantly contribute to improving productivity and efficiency in these vital sectors, while reducing costs and enhancing the quality of services. For example, in the healthcare sector, artificial intelligence can be used to analyze medical data and develop customized solutions, contributing to improving the quality of healthcare and reducing costs. In the agricultural sector, smart agriculture technology is playing an increasingly important role, with its potential to improve productivity, forecast weather conditions, control diseases and pests, and reduce resource waste.
Despite these opportunities, AI applications and investments in Egypt face several challenges, most notably the lack of specialized expertise and digital infrastructure. This requires focusing on investing in digital infrastructure, building digital skills among youth, and providing the necessary educational and training opportunities to develop these capabilities. This is in addition to developing appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks to encourage investment and ensure legal protection for advanced technology developers.
In this context, the Egyptian government offers numerous incentives to investors, including tax breaks and financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises in the technology sector, establishing technology free zones, providing investment facilities, and business incubators to support startups. This is in addition to international cooperation with global companies and academic institutions to exchange knowledge and expertise, with the aim of accelerating the pace of digital transformation and attracting more foreign investment.
Artificial intelligence undoubtedly represents a significant opportunity for Egypt to strengthen its regional and international position in the technology sector. It is essential for Egypt to have clear strategies that not only rely on adopting the technology, but also include developing legal and regulatory frameworks that ensure the safe and responsible use of these technologies, given the growing global impact of AI on the labor market and the level of digital security.
