Within the framework to support national efforts for development using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is keen to enhance Egypt's international standing in the field of AI, promote regional and international cooperation and support a number of international initiatives in this field, especially in issues related to the uses of AI for development, AI ethics and its impact on future jobs.
In this context, Egypt has actively participated, in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in drafting the AI recommendations document, which entails the principles for the responsible use of AI, including capacity building, governance, responsibility, humanity, transparency and other important principles.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat ascertained that Egypt seeks to take advantage of the possibilities offered by emerging technologies, especially AI, to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced by Egyptian society, and to contribute to improving the quality of citizens’ life. He pointed to MCIT keenness to participate in international forums, exchange experiences and promote cooperation with international organizations to discuss the role of this technology in vital sectors. This is in addition to unifying regional positions towards priority issues and areas of AI in the framework of enhancing Egypt's position at regional and international levels.
The Advisor to the ICT Minister for AI Golestan Radwan stated that Egypt accepted the document after the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced its issuance, which is in line with the national vision towards promoting the use of technology in all aspects of life and achieving digital transformation. Egypt is the first Arab and African country to formally join the countries accepting the OECD document on responsible AI. Egypt also translated a copy of the recommendation into Arabic to promote the regional dimension and enhance the Egyptian participation in this international forum.
The OECD has invited Egypt to share its experience and the initiatives it has launched in the field of AI. To view Egypt's participation in OECD activities, kindly visit the following website: https://www.oecd.ai/wonk/how-countries-empowering-citizens-ai-the-future-of-work
In addition, Egypt is currently cooperating with OECD, within a group of experts who have been selected to study how to implement the recommendation practically in line with national policies pursued by countries, as the implementation is within a number of initiatives for achieving development.
In a related context, Egypt, as an observer, joined the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), concerned with scientific research in the field of AI, in accordance with the aforementioned recommendation on the responsible use of this emerging technology.
Egypt is currently leading the African Working Group on AI, as well as an Arab working group on AI to unify efforts in the activities related to AI among the member states. Egypt has also been selected for the position of Vice Chair of the UNESCO international team of experts in charge of preparing a draft of the first international document related to the ethics of AI. Egypt has also organized regional consultations at the Arab level on this document, where more than 15 Arab countries have participated. Egypt is currently participating in the governmental negotiations on the document in preparation for its adoption in November 2021 at the UNESCO General Conference.
Furthermore, Egypt actively participates in the activities of international organizations related to discussing AI issues, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Internet Governance Forum, the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI Forum) and Paris Peace Forum, during which the Egyptian AI project entitled "optimal use of water for agriculture" was selected from among the top 100 projects.
