Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt calls for unified Arab AI council to boost regional collaboration
NEW ALAMEIN CITY, Egypt – Under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, the first Arab Forum for Artificial Intelligence has brought together regional leaders, policymakers, and experts for two days of collaboration on the future of AI in the Arab world.
At the forum’s opening, Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, proposed the creation of an Arab Ministers’ Council for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies. This council, envisioned under the League of Arab States, aims to coordinate policies, unify regional efforts, and bolster Arab representation on the global artificial intelligence stage.
“Cooperation among Arab countries in artificial intelligence is no longer a luxury, but an urgent necessity,” Dr. Talaat stated. He emphasized that a unified institutional framework is essential for maximizing shared progress and innovation across the region, ensuring Arab nations keep pace with rapid global developments in AI.
Dr. Talaat also highlighted Egypt’s commitment to translating technological capabilities into practical applications for sustainable development, particularly in vital sectors such as justice and healthcare. Notably, Egypt has recently launched two AI-powered systems: one streamlining remote litigation procedures in criminal courts, and another enabling early detection of women’s tumors—the region’s first locally-developed tool of this kind.
In his speech, Dr. Talaat welcomed the League of Arab States’ new “Arab Initiative for Artificial Intelligence towards Technological Leadership and Sustainable Development,” launched following last year’s Iraq Summit. He called the initiative a strategic beacon to consolidate regional digital integration and promote responsible, ethical AI development.
Arab countries are increasingly aware of the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, Dr. Talaat said. He stressed the importance of anticipatory policies to prepare the workforce for the fast-changing landscape, and the need for robust governance and ethical standards.
Egypt is poised to continue its leadership role, as it prepares to host the inaugural “AI Everything Middle East & Africa Summit” in February 2025. Dr. Talaat invited partners from across the Arab world to actively participate, reinforcing the potential for joint digital transformation.
The opening session was attended by high-level officials, including Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Egypt’s Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif, and other distinguished leaders and technologists.
Dr. Talaat closed by expressing appreciation to all who contributed to the forum’s organization and expressed his confidence that strong Arab cooperation will help propel the region toward a brighter, more inclusive digital future.