By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
Egypt
has been elected to chair the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Working
Group and the Quantum Computing Working Group under the Arab Permanent
Committee for AI and Emerging Technologies, reinforcing the country's
leadership in shaping regional policies on advanced technologies.
The
elections were held during the second founding meeting of the Arab Permanent
Committee for AI and Emerging Technologies in Tunisia, where representatives
from Arab member states, alongside regional and international organizations
serving as observers, participated in discussions on advancing cooperation in
artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The
committee operates under the Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of
Ministers (ATICM) and was established following a resolution adopted during the
council's 29th session, held in Egypt in January 2026.
The
body is tasked with strengthening Arab cooperation in AI and emerging
technologies while supporting digital transformation, innovation and the
development of a knowledge-based economy across the region. It also seeks to
promote sustainable development and coordinate unified Arab positions on
technology-related issues in regional and international forums.
As
chair of the AI Governance Working Group, Egypt will lead efforts to develop a
regional framework for AI governance, design technical governance tools and
establish an advisory mechanism to support implementation of the Arab Charter
for AI Ethics. The group will also work to enhance knowledge sharing among
member states and strengthen coordination on AI-related issues in international
policy discussions.
In
its role as chair of the Quantum Computing Working Group, Egypt will oversee
the development of a regional strategy for quantum computing, promote research
and practical applications of the technology, and assess opportunities in areas
such as cybersecurity. The group will also focus on building scientific and
technical expertise while monitoring global developments in the rapidly
evolving field.
The
Arab Permanent Committee for AI and Emerging Technologies has a broad mandate
that includes developing regional strategies and public policies for AI and
emerging technologies, promoting innovation and digital transformation across
sectors, strengthening capacity building, and facilitating the exchange of
knowledge and best practices among member states.
Its
responsibilities also include monitoring global technological developments,
supporting scientific research, reviewing the implementation of committee
recommendations, proposing regional agreements and memoranda of understanding,
coordinating Arab participation in international forums, and developing unified
regional positions on technical issues.
The
committee comprises representatives from Arab member states, while relevant
regional and international organizations participate as observers. It operates
through six specialized working groups covering AI Governance, Capacity
Building and Partnerships, Innovation and Technological Solutions, Data and
Digital Infrastructure, Quantum Computing, and Emerging Technologies.
Egypt
previously hosted the committee's inaugural founding meeting at the
headquarters of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in
Cairo in May 2026.
