The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) hosted, on April 28-30, 2026, the third edition of the “International Conference on Intelligence in Business and Industry” (IBI’2026). The event brought together prominent researchers, experts, academics, and professionals in the fields of artificial intelligence, business intelligence, industry, innovation, and digital economy.

The Conference was organized by the University of Tunis and the Higher School of Economic and Commercial Sciences of Tunis, in collaboration with the Higher Institute of Management of Tunis and ALECSO. 

Held under the theme : “Bridging the Gap Between Artificial Intelligence and Real-World Applications”, the Conference aimed at enhancing the exchange of expertise, research, and practical experiences in leveraging AI to serve business and industry, and to achieve tangible impact on development, economy, and society.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohamed Jemni, Director of ICT at ALECSO, conveyed the greetings of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, to all participants and his sincere wishes for the success of the Conference. He emphasized that ALECSO’s hosting of this international scientific event reflects the Organization’s commitment to building bridges of cooperation among universities, research centers, regional organizations, and the industrial sector, in order to promote an Arab and African ecosystem capable of adapting to and contributing to technological transformations.

Dr. Jemni stressed that AI is no longer merely a research field or an emerging technology, but has become a key driver of transformation across various sectors, including education, industry, services, administration, and economy. He highlighted, in this regard, the importance of translating research outcomes into practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions, while adhering to the principles of transparency, fairness, data protection, equal opportunity, and responsible use of modern technologies. He concluded by reaffirming the importance of such international scientific events in strengthening linkages between scientific research and industrial application, supporting partnerships between universities and economic institutions, and opening new prospects for the use of AI to advance sustainable development in the Arab region and beyond.

The Conference program featured keynote lectures, plenary sessions, and specialized workshops that addressed a range of themes, including: value creation through artificial intelligence; strategic, informational, and legal intelligence in the age of AI; artificial intelligence and skills in Tunisia; agent-based AI; AI applications in healthcare; and the gap between institutional needs and large-scale AI applications.

ALECSO’s hosting of this Conference is part of its broader efforts to support digital transformation and the adoption of AI in the Arab world, as well as to enhance the ethical and responsible use of modern technologies. This is demonstrated through its initiatives in AI for education, capacity-building, and the promotion of the culture of innovation, alongside its Charter on AI Ethics which promotes safe, fair, inclusive, and human-centered AI.