Artificial Intelligence Futures for the Arab Region
Steven Kenney, founder and principal of Foresight Vector, served from 2020 to early 2025 as the founding Director of the Strategic Foresight Initiative program at The Middle East Institute, a leading Washington DC research institution. While in this role, he was the study director and lead author of a series of reports for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA) under its “Megatrends” series of studies.
As UN ESCWA described it on its website, this report, published in June 2025, presents a comprehensive analysis of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative global megatrend, specifically examining its far-reaching implications for the Arab region through 2040. It explores AI's potential to revolutionize key sectors like healthcare, education, cultural preservation, and government services, driving innovation and reshaping economies across the region. The report identifies three strategic pathways for AI's evolution in the Arab region: optimizing partnerships and technologies for local priorities, promoting cultural and linguistic identity through Arabic-language AI development, and leveraging AI to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond opportunities such as job creation and skill transformation, the report meticulously addresses the inherent risks and challenges associated with AI, including ethical concerns, data governance, and the potential for deepening inequalities. Concluding with a series of key findings and actionable strategic recommendations, it provides essential insights for government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society. It serves as a vital guide for regional leaders, equipping them with the foresight and tools to proactively engage with AI and shape its trajectory for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development aligned with the Arab region's unique visions and aspirations.