The Arab League, represented by Assistant Secretary-General Ahmed Rashid Khatiby, participated in the opening session of the Second International Scientific Meeting on Language and Media. During his speech, Khatiby underscored the widespread integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across various economic, productive, industrial, healthcare, media, and sports sectors. Furthermore, AI has become the focal point of technological competition between global powers and digital corporations, transcending geographical boundaries into a limitless virtual world.
He emphasized the urgent need for regional cooperation to establish an Arab strategy for artificial intelligence, similar to several comparable organizations and groups. This strategy should facilitate the exchange of expertise and the use of smart applications, contributing to the enhancement of productive capabilities and the acceleration of sustainable development in alignment with national priorities and the spiritual values that honor human beings as the genuine source of creative innovation.
Khatiby highlighted that, while the benefits and gains of artificial intelligence are valuable for achieving sustainable development, it raises legal, ethical, and ideological concerns. These concerns cast shadows over unsafe applications, especially in areas related to human rights, personal data protection, cybercrime, and lethal autonomous weapons, which the UN Secretary-General has deemed a threat to international peace and security.
He called for active engagement in efforts aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance sustainability. He further urged the active contribution to the establishment of international governance frameworks for AI and the optimal utilization of its services to ensure a decent life for citizens.
This includes food security, beneficial education, adequate housing, and the right to healthcare. He also stressed the ambition to achieve digital sovereignty for Arab countries, advancing their developmental paths and seizing opportunities in the digital transformation.
