Egypt has embarked on a comprehensive journey to regulate and promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). With several key initiatives, the country aims to harness the potential of AI while ensuring ethical standards, transparency, and international cooperation. The National Council for AI, established in 2019, serves as the governance arm of Egypt’s AI Strategy. It is responsible for formalizing and governing the strategy’s implementation to align with international best practices. The Council aims to ensure sustainable and competitive AI development in Egypt through responsible governance and international collaboration. This initiative addresses several OECD AI principles, including inclusive growth, sustainable development, fostering a digital ecosystem for AI, building human capacity, and preparing for labor market transition.
In addition to the Personal Data Protection Law, Egypt is actively involved in UNESCO’s initiatives, represented as a member and vice-chair of the UNESCO Adhoc Expert Group (AHEG), which is tasked with preparing the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. This initiative, which started in 2019, aims to draft a global normative instrument on the ethics of AI, addressing the OECD AI principle of international cooperation for trustworthy AI.
The Egypt National AI Strategy, which ran from 2019 to 2022, is crucial for achieving Egypt’s sustainable development goals. It includes the rapid adoption of AI technologies in government processes and key developmental sectors. The strategy aims to create a robust AI industry in Egypt, enhance skills, and establish Egypt as a regional hub for AI activities. This initiative addresses several OECD AI principles, including inclusive growth, sustainable development, human-centered values, investing in AI R&D, and international cooperation.
The Arab AI Working Group, initiated in 2019, aims to develop a common Arab strategy and regulatory frameworks for leveraging AI to serve the goals of Arab countries. This group, comprising the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Arab League Member States (ALMS), and the League of Arab States (LAS), seeks to create a unified AI strategy, address the skills gap, and initiate AI projects across the Arab region. This effort addresses the OECD AI principles of inclusive growth, sustainable development, and international cooperation for trustworthy AI. The African Working Group on AI, established in 2019, aims to develop a unified AI strategy for Africa, addressing the continent’s specific priorities and challenges. This working group, comprising the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), African Union Member States (AUMS), and the African Union (AU), seeks to form a common African stance on AI, create a joint capacity-building framework, and initiate AI projects that serve sustainable development goals. This initiative addresses the OECD AI principles of inclusive growth, sustainable development, investing in AI R&D, and building human capacity
Launched in 2020, Egypt’s Personal Data Protection Law emphasizes the country’s commitment to the responsible use and governance of data. This law regulates and governs the relationship between data owners, data controllers, and data processors, with the primary objective of protecting personal data and fostering transparency between data handlers and owners. It addresses the OECD AI principles of fostering a digital ecosystem for AI and providing an enabling policy environment.
In 2023, Egypt introduced the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI, representing the country’s interpretation of various international guidelines on ethical and responsible AI, adapted to the local context. This charter aims to ensure the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI systems, empowering citizens and stakeholders to incorporate ethical considerations into AI adoption. It signals Egypt’s readiness for responsible AI practices and addresses the OECD AI principles of building human capacity and fostering a digital ecosystem for AI.
Egypt’s AI regulations and initiatives reflect a forward-thinking approach to harnessing AI’s potential while ensuring ethical standards and international cooperation. These efforts position Egypt as a leader in AI innovation, responsible use, and regional collaboration, aligning with global standards and principles for sustainable and inclusive growth. By focusing on building human capacity, fostering a digital ecosystem, and preparing for labor market transitions, Egypt is setting the stage for a robust and ethically sound AI landscape.