The workshop on "Using Artificial Intelligence to Serve Arab Culture" kicked off on May 6, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates. The event is organized by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in collaboration with the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, and is being held at the Ajman Cultural Center in the Emirate of Ajman. It features the participation of prominent experts and specialists in artificial intelligence and cultural fields.

The opening session started by welcoming remarks offered by H.E. Ms. Ebtesam Alzaabi, Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission, followed by a speech by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Mohamed Jemni, Director of ICT. The speech highlighted the importance of harnessing AI to enhance the presence of Arab culture in the digital era, and the need to invest in innovation to serve heritage and cultural identity.

The first day featured a series of presentations, beginning with an introductory lecture on "Artificial Intelligence and its Cultural Applications", delivered by Dr. Mohamed Jemni, in which he highlighted the latest AI technologies and their potential applications in the cultural field.

Dr. Mourad Sakli, Culture Expert at ALECSO, spoke about “The Impact of Technology on Cultural and Artistic Production". 

Dr. Samia Chelbi, AI Expert at ALECSO, made a presentation on “Artificial Intelligence in Films and Interactive Games”, in which she highlighted global experiences and new possibilities for cultural interaction.

Dr. Ashraf Darwish offered a paper entitled “The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Culture: Opportunities and Challenges”.

The presentations were followed by an open discussion.

The first day of the workshop saw the presence of 40 participants, including experts and specialists in artificial intelligence and culture, along with representatives from cultural and academic institutions. 

The workshop reflects a joint effort to digitize culture and develop innovative tools to preserve Arab heritage.