Egypt Takes Lead in Arab AI and Quantum Computing Policy Development

Egypt has been elected to chair the Artificial Intelligence Governance Working Group and the Quantum Computing Working Group under the Arab Permanent Committee for AI and Emerging Technologies. These appointments, made during the committee's second meeting in Tunisia, highlight Egypt's growing influence in shaping regional policies for advanced technologies.

This leadership role is a direct result of Egypt's proactive domestic efforts. Earlier this year, the Egyptian Cabinet expanded the mandate of its National Council for Artificial Intelligence to include quantum computing and other emerging technologies, renaming it accordingly. This strategic alignment positioned Egypt to assume these key regional agenda-setting roles.

As chair of the AI Governance Working Group, Egypt will spearhead the creation of a regional AI governance framework, develop technical governance tools, and establish an advisory mechanism for implementing the Arab Charter for AI Ethics. The country will also lead efforts in knowledge sharing among member states and coordinate Arab stances in international policy discussions. For quantum computing, Egypt will oversee the development of a regional strategy, promote research and applications, and build scientific expertise.

These appointments give Egypt a unique position, as it is simultaneously involved in the African Union's Continental AI Strategy and COMESA's regional AI strategy consultations. This dual membership could foster cross-pollination between African and Arab AI frameworks, or potentially create complex regulatory landscapes for Egyptian businesses operating across both blocs. Egypt's strong domestic AI readiness, evidenced by its top ranking in the 2025 Government AI Readiness Index and the launch of its Karnak national Arabic language model, underpins its expanded regional influence.