Arab League’s Dialogue Circle on AI Begins in Cairo


Cairo: The Arab Dialogue Circle on “Artificial Intelligence in the Arab World: Innovative Applications and Ethical Challenges” began at the Arab League headquarters on Sunday.



According to Qatar News Agency, the two-day event is organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Arab League. This initiative is part of the implementation of the resolution of the 56th session of the higher coordination committee for common Arab action scheduled for April 2024.



The circle is set to discuss an array of pivotal topics related to artificial intelligence, including “Modern Innovations in Artificial Intelligence”, “Artificial Intelligence in the Service of Diplomacy and Peacekeeping”, and “Ethics of Using Artificial Intelligence.”



In his opening remarks, Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, emphasized the intense global race to develop and dominate AI technologies. He highlighted the massive multi-billion investments and attempts to control critical AI technologies, alongside the widespread attention surrounding new program launches.



Aboul Gheit also warned that while this race will continue for some time, it is crucial not to overlook the significant risks associated with AI. He pointed out that organized crime cartels have leveraged these technologies, with a recent report indicating that 85 percent of cybercrime techniques have incorporated advanced AI technologies.



Furthermore, Aboul Gheit mentioned potential environmental risks due to the substantial consumption of water and electricity by firms developing these technologies. He stressed the need for attention to potential ethical challenges and called for the development of appropriate legislation and proactive measures to address these issues.