A2K4D’s MENA Observatory on Responsible AI Pioneers Ethical AI in the Region
The Paris AI Action Summit 2025, held on February 10–11, marked a significant milestone in the global conversation about the future of artificial intelligence (AI). Bringing together global leaders, researchers, technology experts and policymakers, the summit focused on addressing AI’s rapid advancement and profound societal implications. As AI continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, the summit served as a critical forum to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology. The primary goal was to establish a path forward for AI development that maximizes societal benefits while mitigating potential risks.
The MENA Observatory for Responsible AI Recognized Among 50 Global Projects Selected by the Paris Peace Forum
Out of 770 submissions from 111 countries, only 50 projects were chosen for presentation at the summit. Among them was the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI, a key initiative by the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, The American University in Cairo. This recognition highlights the observatory’s pioneering efforts to inform, shape and monitor policymaking and practice related to responsible AI in the MENA region, in addition to growing and fostering a vibrant community of AI stakeholders.
About the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI
The MENA Observatory on Responsible AI was established under the "Governing Responsible AI and Data in the MENA Region" project, led by A2K4D, with support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). As a virtual platform, the observatory collects and disseminates research produced by MENA region scholars, offering an interactive research database in both English and Arabic.
The platform uniquely focuses on responsible AI by emphasizing local voices and community engagement in governance to drive meaningful change. The observatory’s commitment to gender equality and feminist AI promotes inclusivity, offering resources in multiple languages for a wide range of users. By aggregating diverse resources, the observatory fosters a deeper understanding of AI’s implications and promotes responsible AI practices. Its recognition at the Paris AI Action Summit reflects its effectiveness in advancing ethical AI and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Global Recognition for Ethical and Inclusive AI
The observatory was specifically honored for its efforts to advance AI governance, ethics and inclusivity, as well as for addressing the risks of AI bias and exclusion. The selection of the observatory is a testament to the collaborative efforts within its network and the critical need to examine the implications of AI on the future of work and adopting responsible AI principles to mitigate its potential to exacerbate inequalities.
Leadership Perspectives: Driving Responsible AI
Speaking to France24 Arabic, Nagla Rizk, professor of economics at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business and the founding director A2K4D, emphasized the transformative nature of AI: “AI is now interwoven within all aspects of our lives, from education to business to social media and beyond.” She further highlighted the wealth of opportunities this can bring stating, “it is of vast importance to raise awareness on the role of AI in the development, sustainability and improving the lives of individuals at large.” She also flagged the risks associated with AI and the need for responsible practices, appropriate language models and localized data sets.
Meanwhile, Nagham ElHoussamy, associate director of the Research on the Middle East and Africa at A2K4D, highlighted the challenges associated with AI. In an interview with France24 Arabic, she stated: “We aim to motivate organizations, governments and individuals to adopt responsible AI practices. There are, of course, dangers to using AI. The most pressing of which are bias and exclusion of certain societal groups or individuals when it comes to information availability and dissemination.”
The Onsi Sawiris School of Business Role in the Global AI Conversation
The recognition of the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI at the AI Action Summit highlights a pivotal moment for the region’s role in the global AI dialogue. This achievement reflects the observatory’s dedication to advancing responsible AI practices that prioritize inclusivity, fairness and social impact.
In an interview with Al Arabiya, Rizk emphasized how the participation of the observatory in the summit provides the voice of MENA in the global AI conversation.
As the world grapples with the challenges and opportunities of AI, initiatives like the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI - spearheaded by the A2K4D at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business - serve as critical examples of how responsible AI governance can promote equitable progress.
This recognition fuels the ongoing mission of A2K4D, the observatory and the school driving meaningful change, empowering communities and paving the way for a more responsible and equitable future for AI technology within the region and beyond.