The Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has launched a consultation on Egypt's Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) for artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative evaluates Egypt's preparedness for adopting AI sustainably and responsibly while supporting national policies and strategies in this vital field. The first national consultation sessions for stakeholders have commenced, focusing on four key areas where AI plays a pivotal role: policies and legislation, cultural and social domains, scientific research and infrastructure, and the economic sector. These sessions include participation from diverse stakeholders and experts, including representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and young entrepreneurs. Egypt's participation in the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology launched by UNESCO reflects its commitment to deploying AI responsibly across all sectors. This approach aligns with UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, ensuring that all state sectors benefit from AI's transformative potential while maintaining a balance between accelerating innovation, supporting sustainable development goals, and addressing ethical and technical challenges. UNESCO collaborates with the Egyptian government to evaluate and enhance the resilience of laws, policies, and institutions related to AI implementation. This cooperation ensures AI systems align with the values and principles outlined in UNESCO's AI ethics recommendation. In his opening speech, Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized Egypt's prioritization of AI since 2019. He noted that the first version of the National AI Strategy included several key workstreams, such as expanding the pool of trained AI professionals and utilizing AI to address societal challenges. In collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, more than 12 AI-specialized colleges have been established, along with Egypt University of Informatics—the first university in Africa dedicated to communications and information technology. Additionally, various training initiatives have been launched to develop AI skills and prepare a generation capable of leveraging these technologies effectively. Talaat highlighted the establishment of the Applied Innovation Center as part of the strategy's implementation. The center develops projects using advanced technologies across various sectors, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and language recognition—especially for Arabic in both its classical and Egyptian colloquial forms. The center also focuses on converting spoken text into written form and vice versa, with translation capabilities for multiple languages. He emphasized the government's commitment to pairing AI adoption with ethical considerations, ensuring data neutrality and aligning citizens' skills with job market demands. In this context, Egypt launched the Responsible AI Charter in 2023. These efforts have contributed to Egypt advancing nearly 50 positions in AI ranking indices between 2020 and 2024. Talaat noted Egypt's active role in regional and international AI forums, leading both the Arab AI Group and the African AI Group within the African Union. Egypt has contributed to developing a unified Arab AI vision and formulating the African Union's continental AI strategy. Ongoing cooperation with UNESCO in AI-related fields further reinforces these efforts. He stated that the second version of the National AI Strategy, launched last January, focuses on six key pillars: expanding computational infrastructure, managing data to balance AI companies' access to data while protecting privacy, broadening AI training and skill development, increasing AI application deployment, raising societal awareness of AI while supporting startups, and establishing a governance framework. This strategy aims to maximize AI's potential while mitigating associated risks and challenges. Talaat stressed that data is the foundation of AI, highlighting the need to balance data exchange to safeguard citizens' privacy without restricting AI systems' ability to innovate. He underscored the necessity of a governance framework that ensures data neutrality, personal data protection, and regulated data exchange. The national consultations continue Egypt's efforts to integrate ethical considerations into AI initiatives. These discussions strengthen dialogue among stakeholders and align with UNESCO's global frameworks to support national efforts in achieving responsible and inclusive AI deployment. In January, Egypt launched the second edition of its National AI Strategy (2025–2030) to establish a comprehensive AI framework that accelerates the realization of the "Digital Egypt" vision. This strategy fosters development across various sectors, deepens regional and international cooperation, and positions Egypt as a leading AI hub in Africa and the Arab region. The initiative aligns with Egypt's broader development goals, focusing on governance, technology, data infrastructure, and talent development for long-term sustainability and global competitiveness. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, stated: "This event represents a cornerstone of our work. We must ensure that legal frameworks are in place and policy structures are built to mitigate negative impacts while guiding AI system development and deployment in alignment with national priorities and global challenges." Nuria Sanz, Regional Director of UNESCO's Cairo Office, said: "Today's consultations mark the first step in preparing for close collaboration between Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and UNESCO's Cairo Office. This effort is fully aligned with the second phase of the AI Strategy launched last January, with ethics at the heart of discussions for the benefit of humanity." The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology plays a crucial role in shaping Egypt's AI landscape. Through its leadership in these consultations, the ministry reaffirms its commitment to developing governance frameworks that implement ethical guidelines practically. This approach fosters a responsible and sustainable AI innovation environment, contributing to economic and social development while maximizing AI's benefits.
