Cairo: Dr. Amr Talaat, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted the unprecedented transformation in the telecommunications and information technology sector globally over the past two years. He emphasized that technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things are now pivotal political, economic, and social forces, influencing sectors like agriculture, health, education, and banking.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr. Talaat made these remarks during the opening session of the Arab Dialogue Circle on “Artificial Intelligence in the Arab World: Innovative Applications and Ethical Challenges.” The event, held under the patronage of Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, gathers key figures such as Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar, Dr. Abdul Majid Abdullah Al-Bunyan, and Mr. Mohammed Al-Yamahi.
Dr. Talaat expressed his appreciation for participating in this scientific gathering within the Arab League, which has a long history of cooperation in various fields. He lauded the initiative of the “Arab Dialogue Circle on Artificial Intelligence in the Arab World” as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Arab League, offering a platform for interaction and knowledge exchange to develop shared visions and future strategies in the realm of communications and information technology.
He further explained the challenges posed by technological advancements, which demand a unified vision from Arab countries to address geopolitical competition, bridge the digital divide, and mitigate cyber risks. Dr. Talaat underscored the importance of the Arab League’s role in fostering unified strategies and collective awareness among Arab nations regarding emerging technologies.
Highlighting Egypt’s presidency of the 28th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Communications and Information, Dr. Talaat detailed the Council’s approval of the “Unified Arab Vision for Artificial Intelligence.” This vision aims to enhance government performance, promote AI-based startups, encourage research, and attract investments in digital infrastructure while ensuring safe and ethical AI use.
Dr. Talaat also mentioned Egypt’s push for the Arab Charter on AI Ethics, which aims to balance innovation with responsible use, establishing transparency and accountability in AI systems that reflect Arab values. He noted the Council’s consensus on a unified framework for building human capacities and raising AI awareness.
He called on stakeholders to collaborate during the Arab Dialogue Circle to propose actionable steps for the Unified Arab Strategic Vision for Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Talaat expressed his anticipation for recommendations on AI ethics that would lead to a unified Arab document aligning with regional priorities and development plans.
The Arab Dialogue Circle is organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, in collaboration with the Arab League. It brings together AI experts to discuss applications and ethical challenges, exchanging insights on AI’s societal and economic impact in the Arab world.
Dr. Huda Baraka and Dr. Ahmed Tantawy are also participating in the dialogue, contributing their expertise in technological skills development and applied innovation.