Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful force in transforming cultural practices across the Arab region. From heritage preservation to arts education and creative industries, AI offers promising tools that support cultural continuity and innovation.
In response to this dynamic shift, the UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan hosted a workshop titled “AI and Culture in the Arab Region: Regional Vision from Cairo” on 25 June 2025, convening experts, practitioners, and policymakers from Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The hybrid event fostered a regional dialogue on AI’s impact across three key areas: cultural heritage, arts and education, and the creative economy.
AI in Cultural Heritage Preservation
The workshop’s first session focused on how AI is enhancing the documentation and conservation of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
- Dr. AbdelRahman Medhat showcased AI-powered conservation methods resilient to climate change impacts.
- Prof. Fekri Hassan explored how AI integrates with digital-era heritage management techniques.
- From Tunisia, Dr. Nabil Bachagha presented machine learning tools used to analyze Roman fortified sites, illustrating the potential of AI in archaeological mapping and research.
These case studies demonstrated how Arab countries are innovating in heritage science, improving public access and historical preservation through digital tools.
AI in Creative Industries and Education
The second session explored how AI is reshaping creative industries and arts education.
- Dr. Noha Abou-Khatwa and Dr. Haytham Nawar (American University in Cairo) discussed digital curriculum design in Islamic art and media studies.
- Dr. Noha Mellor (UAE) presented AI’s growing role in journalism education and newsrooms.
- Sudanese writer Emad Blake reflected on authorship in the age of generative AI.
- Dr. Riham Arram emphasized the urgency of ethical, inclusive AI policies for cultural and educational programs.
This session highlighted how AI tools are amplifying creative expression, media literacy, and cultural relevance across educational platforms.
Aligning with Global Frameworks and Ethics
Throughout the workshop, participants echoed the importance of aligning local strategies with international frameworks:
- 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
- 2005 Convention on the Protection of Cultural Expressions
- 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
The event reflected Egypt’s commitment to AI ethics through the Egypt AI Strategy and the Charter for Responsible AI, emphasizing cross-sectoral digital transformation rooted in cultural values.
Contributions to MONDIACULT 2025 and Future Visions
This workshop was part of a wider webinar series organized by UNESCO’s Cairo office in preparation for MONDIACULT 2025 (Barcelona, 29 Sept – 1 Oct 2025). It contributed to a shared regional vision for ethically grounded AI that serves culture as a global public good, in line with the 2022 MONDIACULT Declaration.
The dialogue strengthened Arab cooperation and showed how AI can enhance—not replace—human creativity, identity, and tradition.
As AI continues to shape the global future, it is vital for Arab states to ensure that cultural preservation, education, and creativity remain central in digital policymaking. This workshop reinforced UNESCO’s mission: that technology must serve humanity’s cultural diversity and ethical aspirations, not displace them.
