Latest news with #DigitalCooperationOrganization
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
DCO launches new AI ethics tool to advance responsible technology use
GENEVA: Saudi Arabia's Digital Cooperation Organization has launched a pioneering policy tool designed to help governments, businesses and developers ensure artificial intelligence systems are ethically sound and aligned with human rights principles, it was announced on Friday. Unveiled during the AI for Good Summit 2025 and the WSIS+20 conference in Geneva, the DCO AI Ethics Evaluator marks an important milestone in the organization's efforts to translate its principles for ethical AI into practical action, it said. AI must reflect the values we share — not just the systems we build. That's why DCO's Ethical AI Initiative brings together a shared set of principles and practical tools to help developers and policymakers shape responsible, inclusive AI. Explore how we're working to ensure AI… — Digital Cooperation Organization (@dcorg) July 11, 2025 The tool is a self-assessment framework enabling users to identify and mitigate ethical risks associated with AI technologies across six key dimensions. It provides tailored reports featuring visual profiles and actionable recommendations, aiming to embed ethical considerations at every stage of AI development and deployment. Speaking at the launch, Omar Saud Al-Omar, Kuwait's minister of state for communication affairs and current chairman of the DCO Council, described the tool as a resource to help AI stakeholders 'align with ethical standards and apply strategies to mitigate human rights impacts.' He said it drew on extensive research and global consultation to address the growing demand for responsible AI governance. DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya highlighted the urgency of the initiative: 'AI without ethics is not progress, it's a threat. A threat to human dignity, to public trust, and to the very values that bind our societies together.' She continued: 'This is not just another checklist, it is a principled stand, built on best practices and rooted in human rights, to confront algorithmic bias, data exploitation and hidden ethical blind spots in AI.' Al-Yahya emphasized the evaluator's wide applicability: 'It's not just for governments, but for anyone building our digital future — developers, regulators, innovators. This is a compass for responsible AI, because ethical standards are no longer optional. They are non-negotiable.' Alaa Abdulaal, the DCO's chief of digital economy intelligence, provided a demonstration of the tool at the launch. 'The future of AI will not be shaped by how fast we code, but by the values we choose to encode,' he said.
LBCI
03-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a speech at the closing session of the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, held under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun at Phoenicia Hotel. He emphasized that 'digital transformation is not a luxury for Lebanon, but a necessity. It is a reform that directly serves citizens—saving time, reducing corruption, and improving service quality. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth: without digital governance, there can be no investment that meets our ambitions. Without transparency, there can be no trust, and without modernization, there are no opportunities worthy of our youth to build their future in their homeland.' He pointed out that 'to succeed, full coordination between ministries and public administrations is essential. Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world. We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon to the knowledge and production networks of the 21st century.' He announced that 'Lebanon intends to join the Digital Cooperation Organization and has begun taking the necessary legal steps to do so, reaffirming its commitment to genuine integration into the regional and international digital economy.' He added: 'Shortly, we aim to launch digital projects that are financially viable and self-sustaining. We also seek to build a unified and centralized governmental digital infrastructure that ensures coordination among different administrations and enhances efficiency and good governance.' He stressed that 'digital transformation is a gateway to reforming state institutions and restoring citizens' trust in them. Let this conference serve as a genuine starting point, not just a ceremonial event. We have much work ahead, but we also have the tools and partners. Let's begin now.'
Arab News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Lebanon embraces digital transformation as key to reform and recovery
BEIRUT: Lebanon has pledged to pursue comprehensive digital transformation, with President Joseph Aoun framing it as the nation's best hope to tackle corruption, moderne governance, and engage its skilled diaspora in rebuilding efforts. Speaking at the 'Smart Government, Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference in Beirut on June 3, Aoun described the initiative as a 'sovereign decision to build a better future.' The event, organized by the Lebanese Executives Council, aimed to connect Lebanon's global talent pool with efforts to revitalize both public and private sectors. The conference's core themes included smart governance, public sector reform, and private sector collaboration, all driven by digital innovation. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon must abandon outdated and corrupt administrative structures in favor of efficient, transparent systems. 'Digital transformation is not a technical choice. Digitalization is not just a government project; it is a national project.' He also announced Lebanon's application to join the Digital Cooperation Organization, a global body founded in 2020 to promote inclusive growth in the digital economy. Aoun criticized systemic corruption that forces citizens to navigate bureaucracy through bribery or political favors. He highlighted the need for a government that serves all Lebanese equally, free from sectarian or partisan influences. 'We want Lebanon to open up to regional and international partnerships and to be eligible for foreign investments. This goal is an absolute necessity, indispensable and unavoidable,' Aoun said. 'The time has come for them (the diaspora) to achieve it for their homeland and in their homeland.' The day-long conference brought together ministers, private sector leaders, and diaspora experts for panel discussions on digitizing Lebanon's institutions. Topics included the creation of a national digital ID, policy harmonization, and leveraging technology to reconstruct public services. In an interview with Arab News, LEC President Rabih El-Amine highlighted the importance of engaging the Lebanese diaspora. 'We know by fact that diaspora is willing to help, but they don't have the medium to offer this help, and we know by fact that the government needs this help, but they don't know how to reach the diaspora,' he said. El-Amine stressed that despite weak governance, Lebanon's private sector and diaspora have helped sustain the country. However, implementing modern laws and digital systems is now critical. He called the digital ID system a foundational step toward enabling services like passport renewals and license issuance. 'This is probably the starting point. But I think the biggest challenge for us is how we can make the government and the parliament work together in order to issue modern laws for this system to take place,' he added. Hajar El-Haddaoui, director general of the DCO, expressed strong confidence in Lebanon's digital potential, citing the country's talent pool and expansive diaspora. 'We trust that Lebanon does have all the ingredients to succeed during this digital economy transformation,' she told Arab News. She said the DCO's support will focus on investment, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building, including the Digital Economy Navigator program, which helps countries assess and close gaps in digital readiness. El-Haddaoui underscored the importance of aligned policies, strong infrastructure, and openness to international cooperation. 'Any digital economy or digital transformation needs harmonization of policies. That's really important and critical. Working on a regulation and standard of regulation is really one of the pillars of successful digital transformation,' she said. Fadi Makki, Lebanon's minister of state for administrative development affairs, also spoke at the conference, outlining key reforms to upgrade the country's administrative structures. 'We're far behind in digital readiness. We're trying to catch up through digital transformation, skilling, and reskilling programs,' he said. Makki explained that Lebanon lacks planning and performance monitoring units that are standard in functional governments. He proposed modernizing human resources and encouraging the private sector to deliver services, while the government ensures oversight. 'We don't want to compete with them (the private sector), but at the same time, we want to create opportunities for them while ensuring we provide the necessary oversight like any government,' he said. 'One of the missing functions in government is planning and performance monitoring. We don't have that. So, part of our work is creating these basic units, not just centrally but eventually in every ministry. Without them, we're building on weak foundations,' he added. The event also featured remarks from Lebanese American University's Chaouki Abdallah and panels with Minister of Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadi, along with global figures like Jad Bitar of the Boston Consulting Group. In closing, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked all participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the government's resolve. 'Digital transformation in Lebanon is not a luxury but a necessity and a reform,' he said. 'It directly serves the citizens, reduces corruption, and enhances the quality of life. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth.' Salam called for full inter-ministerial coordination, asserting, 'Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world or on its margins.' He concluded: 'We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon with the chains of knowledge and production in the 21st century.' As Lebanon continues to navigate a complex political and economic crisis, the conference marked a clear call for reform. The message from both domestic and diaspora leaders was unambiguous: digital transformation is not only possible—it is imperative.
Kuwait Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait in talks to chair committee to combat digital misinformation
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) council representatives meet in Kuwait KUWAIT: Kuwait is in discussions to lead a multilateral committee to combat digital disinformation, aiming to unify Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) member states' efforts in countering fake news and safeguarding digital content integrity, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar said following a key meeting of the DCO. DCO is a global multilateral body established in 2020 and headquartered in Saudi Arabia. It brings together governments, the private sector, international organizations, NGOs and civil society to enable more inclusive digital transformation and the growth of digital industries. Members include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar and DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya attend a DCO Council meeting chaired by Kuwait. Wednesday's meeting is the first of its kind since Kuwait assumed the rotating presidency of the DCO Council after the fourth General Assembly held in Jordan last February. 'This exceptional meeting represents a milestone in establishing coordinated efforts between member states to overcome digital challenges and promote integrity in digital content,' said Al-Omar. Al-Omar added that the adoption of Kuwait as the host country for the next DCO General Assembly underscores its leadership role in advancing regional and international digital cooperation. DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya praised Kuwait's initiative to host the extraordinary meeting, saying it reflects Kuwait's serious commitment to joint digital action and its leadership in strengthening the organization's institutional structure. 'This meeting is a strategic step in advancing our shared digital agenda and expanding the organization's impact in supporting emerging digital economies,' Al-Yahya said. During her visit to Kuwait, Al-Yahya, who is also Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, and her accompanying delegation met with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, at Bayan Palace. The meeting was attended by Minister Al-Omar, and Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan, Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil. — Agencies
Zawya
11-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment meets with the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization
Opportunities for collaboration on financial transformation and fintech innovation. Building a strong ecosystem for digital investments in Kuwait. Kuwait: Her Excellency, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Engineer Noora Sulaiman Al-Fassam, chaired a bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Deemah bint Yahya Al-Yahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). Held as part of the Secretary-General's official visit to Kuwait, the meeting focused on exploring opportunities to advance the digital economy and enhance financial inclusion. The session brought together officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Digital Cooperation Organization to discuss the organization's four-year vision for accelerating digital transformation, driving financial innovation, and strengthening strategic cooperation among member states to boost digital startup growth. 'Kuwait and the Digital Cooperation Organization share a unified vision to enhance digital inclusion and build an innovation-driven economy. As a founding member of the organization, Kuwait remains committed to advancing digital transformation in line with its Vision 2035, which prioritizes a digital economy and modernized public services to drive economic diversification and job creation. Today's meeting reaffirms our commitment to positioning Kuwait as a regional hub for digital investments and technological development,' said Her Excellency Al-Fassam. Her Excellency further underscored the importance of sustained cooperation, particularly during Kuwait's presidency of the fifth session of the Digital Cooperation Organization. She emphasized that this strategic partnership would support financial innovation and foster an attractive investment climate for entrepreneurs and digital startups across DCO member countries. The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish dedicated working groups aimed at advancing shared objectives in digital transformation, financial innovation, and startup growth. These working groups will facilitate ongoing collaboration, streamline initiatives, and ensure alignment with the organization's four-year vision, reinforcing Kuwait's commitment to driving progress in the digital economy.
