The risks of AI from the Arab world perspective
Imagine a future where machines work alongside us, making decisions that will shape our society, our economy and even our daily lives: these are the promises and perils of artificial intelligence that is poised to transform our world.
AI is bringing unprecedented advances across sectors. But this rapid development also brings great risks. As the Arab world enters this new era, it is important to understand these risks and their direct impact on our region's unique context.
Unlike traditional software, which operates within predefined parameters set by developers, making its behavior more predictable and controllable, AI systems, especially advanced ones, have the potential to make autonomous decisions that have a significant impact on human life, society, and ethical standards.
So we need to discuss the value of AI in ways that we don’t typically discuss the value of software.
AI systems, especially those involving machine learning and neural networks, evolve and learn from data, which can lead to behaviors that they are not explicitly programmed to perform. Data is a key driver of risk for AI systems, especially with regard to value misalignment.
But that is not the only factor: the overall alignment of an AI system with human values also depends on the design and implementation of the algorithms, the training process, and other technical and ethical considerations.
Most AI systems are developed outside the Arab world, primarily in regions with different cultural, social and ethical values, which can lead to significant discrepancies between the values embedded in these systems and those of the Arab world.
The social and cultural fabric of the Arab world is deeply rooted in community values, ethics and traditions. The introduction of advanced AI systems raises questions about their alignment with these values.
Systems developed in the West or East Asia may not fully understand or respect the cultural norms and values of the Arab world, which could result in AI behaviors and inappropriate decisions that are culturally insensitive.
Moreover, for AI applications to function effectively and ethically, they require a deep understanding of local context – without this, the systems may make decisions that ignore important local nuances.
Ethical frameworks guiding AI development in other regions may differ significantly from those in the Arab world, which could result in AI systems making decisions based on ethical principles that are not entirely consistent with local values.
To address potential discrepancies, the Arab world should invest in local AI research and development to build systems that are tailored to local values and contexts, including developing local talent and establishing research institutes focused on culturally sensitive AI.
We are not advocating isolated AI development, rather it is paramount to collaborate with international AI developers to ensure that the systems they create are adaptable to different cultural contexts.
The Arab world needs to invest in local AI research and development to build systems that are tailored to local values and circumstances.
Mohammed A. Alkarni
This cooperation will help integrate regional values and norms into the global AI system. Such cooperation will require the development of ethical guidelines for the development and deployment of AI that reflect the values and priorities of the Arab world. Such guidelines can serve as a benchmark for evaluating and adopting AI technologies from other regions.
Science fiction writer William Gibson said, “The future is already here, it's just not evenly distributed.”
AI is the future, and we cannot resist it. Many experts and analysts have compared the impact of AI on the economy to the electrification and industrial revolutions. There is great value in this comparison.
Like electricity and the industrial revolution, AI has the potential to impact virtually every industry. From healthcare to finance to transportation to manufacturing, AI technologies are integrating into many sectors to transform the way they operate.
AI will automate complex tasks, optimize processes, and unlock new levels of efficiency and productivity, driving significant economic growth.
The potential of AI goes beyond traditional industries, enabling the development of new technologies and industries, such as autonomous vehicles, personalized medicine, and intelligent infrastructure.
The Arab world is undergoing a major economic transformation around moving away from oil, and while the potential of AI can play a key role in this transformation, it also faces the possibility of labor loss and economic disparity.
As AI is integrated into industries, there is a need to strategically manage its adoption to increase productivity while also creating new job opportunities and upskilling the workforce.
Automation will need to be balanced with efforts to reskill workers and integrate them into new roles created by advances in AI.
The economic benefits brought about by AI must be distributed fairly among different segments of society while preventing the widening of economic inequality.
These requirements can only be met by developing education programs that prepare the workforce for an AI-driven future, including integrating AI literacy into school curricula and offering specialized training programs in AI and related fields.
Policies and programs need to be developed to support those most affected by AI-driven labor market changes, including by helping small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI technologies and ensuring rural and underserved areas have access to AI resources and training.
Human capital in the Arab world must be able to innovate in the AI field and not remain passive recipients of globally developed systems, fostering the development of innovation hubs and ecosystems that support AI research, development and entrepreneurship, which can boost economic growth and create new job opportunities in the AI sector.
Thus, as the Arab world embraces the transformative potential of AI, it will be important to consider the associated risks from a regional perspective.
By developing strong regulatory frameworks, fostering cultural sensitivity, and ensuring equitable economic benefits, the region can harness AI’s promise while safeguarding its potential dangers.
Engaging with global thought leaders and adopting best practices will further strengthen the region's ability to navigate the complex landscape of AI risks and opportunities.
• Mohammed A. Alkarni is a scholar and consultant on AI for business.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Arab News.
