UNESCO to Host Event on Innovation and Cultural Heritage Exploring AI's Role in Preserving the Arabic Language

Translate In Arabic

Supported by Saudi Arabia’s Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation, the program will bring together leading scientists, AI experts, and cultural leaders to explore how artificial intelligence can bridge the digital divide, drive innovation, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance the online presence of the Arabic language.

Despite being one of the six official languages of the UN, Arabic remains underrepresented online. “Arabic, spoken by over 450 million people and holding official status in nearly 25 countries, is a global language with immense cultural significance,” explained UNESCO. “Yet, only three percent of online content is available in Arabic, restricting access for millions.”

World Arabic Language Day, observed annually on December 18, serves as a platform for celebrating the Arabic language’s global relevance and fostering cultural connections between diverse communities.

In related developments, researchers at the University of Sharjah in the UAE recently developed an AI system capable of accurately identifying different Arabic dialects. Additionally, students from the American University of Sharjah created an AI-powered translator to address the lack of Arabic sign language translation services, which earned recognition at this year’s UAE James Dyson Award.