Artificial intelligence race: do Arabs get attached to the knees? – Something for the fatherland – ✍️ Mr. Salah is strange
In a world where the pulse of technology accelerates and its characteristics change every day, the Arabs find themselves in front of a crucial crossroads. Will they remain consumers of innovations, or will they take over the competition circuit to become active actors in the manufacture of the future? This question is extremely important with the start of the first annual Arab forum for artificial intelligence, which was not only ordinary efficiency, but was rather the declaration of intentions and warning at the same time.
The media scene emitted by the forum is a cautious optimism. On the one hand, we see official Arab recognition of the importance of artificial intelligence and the need to adopt a unified strategy. The words of the secretary general of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the Egyptian Minister of Communications and Education, reflect a deep conscience that this technology is not only a luxury, but rather a “revolution” and a “arms race” between the main powers. This perception is the first correct step. Recognizing the size of the challenge is the first steps to overcome it.
But the real challenge lies in the conversion of these dictations into actions. We have heard of ambitious strategies and plans a lot, but what we need today are practical and tangible stages. The forum presents excellent ideas: a common Arabic framework, international partnerships, improving digital infrastructure and human capacity development. All these elements are necessary, but they must be translated into real projects with sufficient funding and specific deadlines.
The biggest obstacle to the realization of these visions is the gap between aspirations and reality. As the secretary general pointed out, there is “a weakness in the extent of spending in this sector”. This weakness is not only a number on paper, but rather a reflection of a difficult reality; A reality is affected by conflicts and economic crises that afflict the region. How can we invest in artificial intelligence while some Arab countries, such as Sudan, find it difficult to rebuild the telecommunications sector affected by wars? It is a real dilemma that requires radical solutions.
Here, the role of joint Arab cooperation is inevitably highlighted. An Arab country cannot win this race alone. The Egyptian proposal to establish an Arabian cabinet for artificial intelligence is a step in the right direction. Such a advice can be a platform to coordinate efforts, exchange experiences and guide investments towards joint priority projects. Instead of each country from zero, it can benefit from the experiences of others and unify standards.
Focusing on the development of human capacities is the cornerstone of any successful strategy. The words of the Egyptian Minister of Education on the introduction of artificial intelligence in the program are hope. Investing in future generations is more profitable long -term investment. We must get out of the culture of indoctrination and adopt a culture of creativity and critical thinking. Teach children the basics of programming and artificial intelligence not only to prepare them for future jobs, but also to allow them to be innovative and capable of solving problems.
But we must be realistic. We cannot import solutions ready to the west and apply them without adapting them. Artificial intelligence is not only a neutral tool. It has its moral and cultural dimensions. The adoption of the “Arab Charter for the ethics of artificial intelligence” is an important step to guarantee that this technology serves our Arab values and identity and does not contradict it. We must use artificial intelligence to improve our culture and our Arabic language, not to marginalize it.
The Arab forum for artificial intelligence is a good start, but this is only the beginning. The road in front of us is long and full of obstacles. We must go from the stage of speech to the stage of action and the stadium of thought at the stadium of implementation. The world is waiting for anyone. Today is a “arms race” period, and tomorrow will be the time of harvest. And if we do not catch up today, we can find ourselves in a very difficult situation tomorrow, just consumers in a world governed by intelligence. Will Arabs be able to transform the vision of artificial intelligence into a practical reality that puts them on the map of the future? This is the challenge that the next few days reveal.
