Oman AI Summit highlights efforts to bridge AI gap in the Arab world
MUSCAT, JAN 27
Efforts to address the challenges and opportunities in bridging the gap between global AI advancements and the Arab-speaking world took centrestage at the Oman AI Summit, which began at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre here on Monday.
Nour Taher, Founder and CEO of intella, highlighted the critical role of localised solutions, education, and collaboration in unlocking the region's AI potential.
intella, a leading AI company based in the Middle East, specialises in Arabic natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence solutions. Founded with a vision to revolutionise Arabic language AI, the company has gained recognition for its innovative approach to addressing linguistic and cultural complexities in the region.
In an interview with the Observer, Taher identified three primary obstacles limiting the Arab-speaking world's potential in AI: the scarcity of labeled Arabic datasets, the diversity of dialects, and the inherent complexity of the Arabic language. 'Although Arabic is the fifth most spoken language globally, less than 1% of online content is available in Arabic,' Taher explained. She also highlighted the unique challenges posed by Arabic's phonetics and dialectal diversity, with over 25 major dialects and 80 sub-dialects lacking adequate representation in datasets.
To overcome these barriers, Taher stressed the importance of creating localized labeled datasets. "If AI is the new oil, we really believe that labeled datasets are the new oil rigs," she said, underscoring the need for natural language understanding (NLU) models tailored to Arabic.
EDUCATION AND TALENT: A KEY TO THE FUTURE
Taher also emphasised the critical role of education in closing the AI gap. She noted that much of the region's education is English-dominated, limiting the development of AI expertise in Arabic. 'Talent is there. We have some of the brightest minds globally. However, it's about how we utilise and what opportunities we grant those individuals,' Taher stated. She advocated for the inclusion of Arabic-based curricula to empower future generations and foster AI innovation.
SECTORS AND POLICIES: DRIVING AI ADOPTION
When asked about sectors best positioned to benefit from AI, Taher described AI as a disruptor across all industries. Public sectors, banking, telecom, and traditional industries are already leveraging AI to innovate and remain competitive. However, she emphasised that governments must create policies that foster innovation while ensuring ethical AI use. 'AI is a tool. It's your use of the tool that has to be governed and regulated,' she remarked, comparing AI's evolution to the adoption of calculators in education.
Taher also called for stronger collaborations within the region to enhance the global integration of Arab-speaking countries into the AI ecosystem. 'If you flourish in the region, you can flourish globally,' she said, urging startups, governments, and large enterprises to work together.
A REGION OF EARLY ADOPTERS
Despite challenges, Taher praised the Arab-speaking world's openness to technology. 'We are a region of early adopters, keeping an open mind to trying new things,' she said. However, she noted that global technologies often overlook the region's unique needs, which hinders localised innovation.
Taher's insights at the Oman AI Summit underscored the critical steps needed to bridge the AI gap and positioned Intella as a key player in advancing Arabic language AI solutions.
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