Daijiworld Media Network - Cairo

Cairo, Aug 28: Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has called on Arab nations to intensify cooperation in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and significantly increase investment in research and development to keep pace with global technological advancement.

Speaking at the inaugural Arab AI Forum held in New Alamein, Egypt, on Wednesday, Gheit emphasized the importance of adopting the AL’s ethical charter on AI, a document approved last month designed to guide responsible and culturally sensitive use of AI technologies across the Arab world.

The charter, he noted, aims to ensure that the development and deployment of AI aligns with social values and regional priorities, promoting fairness while safeguarding local cultural specificities.

Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, echoed these concerns, declaring that AI cooperation “is no longer a luxury but a pressing necessity” for the Arab region. He proposed creating a Council of Arab Ministers for AI and Emerging Technologies under the Arab League to harmonize policies and amplify the Arab world's influence in the evolving global tech landscape.

Talaat also announced that Egypt will host the first AI Everything Middle East and Africa Summit in February 2026, aimed at deepening regional partnerships and innovation in AI.

The two-day Arab AI Forum, hosted by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in collaboration with the Arab League General Secretariat, convened government officials, diplomats, tech experts, business leaders, and academics to discuss emerging trends, risks, and opportunities in AI.

The forum represents a milestone in regional tech diplomacy, signaling growing momentum behind Arab efforts to institutionalize AI governance, promote innovation, and foster a unified voice in global discussions on digital transformation.