Google commits US$15 Million to AI initiative in the Middle East and North Africa

Google has announced its most ambitious artificial intelligence program in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to date, committing US$15 million to develop AI talent and infrastructure across the region.

As detailed in a recent blog post, the AI Opportunity Initiative aims to equip half a million people with AI skills over the next two years, with a particular focus on reaching underserved communities.

Speaking at Dubai’s Etihad Museum during Google’s AI Connect event, Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer for Alphabet and Google, emphasized the economic potential of AI in the MENA region, projecting a US$320 billion contribution to the economy by 2030.

The initiative features a comprehensive Arabic-language learning ecosystem, including an expanded “Maharat min Google” program on Coursera and a new “Experience AI” curriculum targeting children aged 11-14. The latter, developed in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, will be launched initially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Google is also enhancing its Arabic AI capabilities, building upon the success of Gemini, its AI assistant launched in July 2023 that understands 16 Arabic dialects. New features include Gems on Gemini Arabic, which allows Advanced users to create customized AI experts for specific tasks, and Gemini for Teens, which provides age-appropriate content with built-in safety features.

Then there’s Imagen3, an advanced text-to-image generator supporting Arabic prompts. David McLaughlin, Director of Google’s Global Developer Ecosystem, notes that while the Arabic version’s performance matches its English counterpart, human image generation is currently restricted due to linguistic complexities and content safety considerations.

On the infrastructure front, Google is expanding its regional presence with new Cloud regions in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. The company has also partnered with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to establish an AI hub focused on advancing Arabic-language models.

The initiative emphasizes inclusivity through partnerships with organizations like Village Capital to support AI training for women, youth, migrants, and rural communities. Additionally, Google is funding university research focused on applying AI to healthcare, climate, and education challenges, with startAD specifically developing healthcare solutions for underserved populations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

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