Beirut

The Arab Federation for Digital Economy, a member of the Executive Office of the Forum of Specialized Arab Federations at the League of Arab States, participated in the workshop organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which was held via videoconferencing technology and brought together a group of experts and officials from various sectors and international and regional institutions to discuss the various dimensions of artificial intelligence and its impact on Arab economies and sustainable development.

Mr. Ayman Mokhtar Ghoneim, Assistant Secretary General of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, participated in a speech in which he discussed that developing a large Arabic language model represents a strategic necessity for the Arab world in light of the rapid digital transformations that the world is witnessing. He explained that this project is not just a technical initiative, but rather a long-term investment in the future of the Arabic language and its role in the global digital arena. He pointed out that the Arabic language, spoken by more than 400 million people around the world, has a rich cultural and historical heritage that qualifies it to be a major player in the digital economy. However, Arabic digital content represents only a small percentage of no more than 3% of the total global content, which highlights the need to enhance the presence of the Arabic language in the digital world.

In his speech, he also referred to successful models for developing artificial intelligence technologies in the Arab world, such as the Falcon 40B model developed in the UAE and the Saudi “Allam” initiative, which have proven their ability to improve the uses of artificial intelligence in the region.

Ghoneim concluded by stressing that creating a large Arabic language model requires concerted Arab efforts to overcome the technical and financial challenges associated with this project, stressing the importance of establishing a joint Arab fund to support this model and provide the necessary funding. He added that regional cooperation can reduce costs and enhance the efficiency of resource use, allowing Arab countries the opportunity to achieve full benefit from artificial intelligence technologies, whether in education, media or government sectors.

Highlighting the diverse aspects of artificial intelligence

In addition to Mr. Ayman Ghoneim’s speech, the workshop included various speeches delivered by prominent figures from ESCWA, the League of Arab States, and the International Telecommunication Union. These speeches addressed the importance of establishing comprehensive governance frameworks for AI, while emphasizing the risks associated with the unregulated use of these technologies.

The workshop also discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on education, reviewing international experiences such as Finland and the United States in using these technologies to provide personalized education that matches each student’s abilities. The role of the large Arabic language model in providing innovative educational solutions that enhance Arabic language learning and develop students’ skills in scientific subjects was emphasized.

Discussion sessions and main outcomes

The workshop witnessed a number of discussion sessions that focused on pressing issues such as AI governance, infrastructure challenges, and ways to enhance cooperation between Arab countries. Participants stressed the importance of providing qualified human resources to support these projects through specialized training programs and scholarships. Speakers also called for strengthening partnerships with global technology companies to provide modern technical infrastructure and accelerate the pace of development.

Final Recommendations: A Roadmap for the Future

At the end of the workshop, a set of recommendations were agreed upon to support the development of artificial intelligence in the Arab world. Participants called for the establishment of regional alliances to develop a large Arabic language model, with the establishment of regulatory policies and ethical frameworks that ensure the safe and fair use of these technologies. The need to support research and development in this field by allocating financial resources and a shared infrastructure was also emphasized.

The participation of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy in this workshop comes within the framework of its continuous keenness to enhance regional and international cooperation, and consolidate its leadership role in leading digital transformations in the Arab world, in a way that contributes to achieving sustainable development and economic prosperity.