UAE: More Arabic AI models needed to preserve cultural identity, says UAE official

Khaleej Times

26-05-2025

As the global AI race heats up, the UAE is making a strategic push to ensure that the Arabic language isn't left behind.
A top official at the 23rd Arab Media Summit (AMS) in Dubai stressed the urgent need for more Arabic-focused artificial intelligence models to safeguard cultural identity and empower future generation.
'The integration of Arabic into AI isn't optional , it's essential for preserving who we are,' said Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University.
'Language is not just a means of communication, it's the environment of thought. If we want our future generations to retain their cultural identity, Arabic must be embedded in our AI systems and educational tools.'
Earlier this month, the UAE launched a new Arabic language AI model. Falcon Arabic, developed by Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), that aims to capture the full linguistic diversity of the Arab world through a high-quality native (non-translated) Arabic dataset.
This year's three-day summit, which began in Dubai on Monday, will bring together top media figures, policymakers, and cultural influencers from across the Arab world and beyond, to discuss challenges and transformations in the media and education sectors.
Cultural bridges
Nusseibeh, a key figure in the establishment of major Western academic institutions in the UAE such as Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and New York University Abu Dhabi, emphasised that the goal was never to import foreign models blindly, but to create cultural bridges.
'The idea behind bringing global universities here was to expose Arab youth to global education while preserving their identity,' he explained. 'French was the language of Sorbonne, English for the American University, but the cultural environment has always remained Arab.'
Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and Executive Vice President of the American University in Dubai, who took the stage in the session with Nusseibeh, added: 'Western institutions in the UAE should be seen as bridges, not branches,' he said. ' The UAE model proves you can adopt international standards without compromising your roots.'
Both Nusseibeh and BouSaab stressed the urgency of anchoring modern education in Arabic language and culture. 'In this digital age, it's easy for young Arabs to become detached from their heritage,' Nusseibeh warned. 'It is the responsibility of parents, educators, and policymakers to ensure that Arabic remains central, even in tech-driven educational environments.'
Leading in gamification, digial storytelling
Highlighting the rapid evolution of media education in the country, Bou Saab noted that universities in the UAE are taking the lead in fields like gamification and digital storytelling. 'The American University in Dubai, in partnership with the University of Southern California, was among the first to introduce gaming into media studies,' he said.
He added that today's students are not just consuming content, they're creating it. 'With AI and digital platforms, anyone can become a content creator. That's why our curricula must adapt to teach ethical responsibility, fact-checking, and cultural context.'
The UAE's early investment in culture and education has made it a regional model for transformation. 'When Sheikh Zayed founded UAE University in 1976, some advisors told him it wasn't a priority,' Nusseibeh recalled. 'Today, it ranks among the top universities in the Arab world, and is on its way to breaking into the global top 200.'
With over 80,000 graduates now contributing across the public and private sectors, UAE University reflects the country's broader vision: to blend global excellence with Arab authenticity.
'In everything from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Sorbonne University to the Falcon AI model, the UAE is showing the world that cultural confidence and global ambition are not mutually exclusive,' said Nusseibeh.