There is still a divide in education between the Global North and South, despite the IT revolution’s promise to close it. Once more, the IT revolution failed to deliver on its promises to close economic gaps and give underprivileged communities access to income prospects.
Will the revolution in artificial intelligence (AI) alter this story or will it make the already significant gaps in income and education worse? It depends on the response.
It will need purposeful and intentional action to seize the potential in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where young unemployment rates are still the highest globally. It is imperative to implement measures that guarantee underprivileged populations have access to the educational materials and infrastructure required to gain economy from artificial intelligence.
It is crucial to address youth unemployment and promote job creation in today’s broken world when problems with economic instability, political unrest, and social differences threaten our security and collaboration. The Pushing Forward research projects that the MENA area may see an astounding USD 320 billion in economic development from AI by 2030. To realise this potential, governments, education institutions, civil society organisations, and the commercial sector will need to make sustained, dedicated efforts.
Governments need to act swiftly to give top priority to building the IT foundation and infrastructure that will support and draw investments into industries ready to capitalise on artificial intelligence. Policies should support innovation without punishing people who take lessons from their early mistakes or losses.
Although wealthy MENA nations such as Saudi Arabia take the lead in developing AI-friendly environments, not all other countries have done the same. Saudi Arabia has established a specialised business that deals with all things AI and has made public its ambitious agenda.
Its Vision 2030 strategy, which emphasises entrepreneurship, innovation, and AI-driven economic growth, shows the potential to have a significant impact on both economic growth and unemployment rates. The initiatives put out by Saudi Arabia have the potential to reduce the country’s unemployment rate by almost 5%, thereby cutting it in half by 2030.
Egypt developed an AI strategy to leverage technology for the country’s advancement, but incentives that promote entrepreneurship and creativity are still crucial. The governments of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have to face the current obstacles to the region’s digital transformation.
These include expensive broadband plans and hardware, as well as obsolete, subpar, and occasionally nonexistent infrastructure in rural areas. To guarantee internet accessibility and open the door for an AI revolution in the area, deliberate investment is essential.
Infrastructure spending by the government is important but insufficient on its own; a workforce that is both competent and flexible is also necessary for sustained prosperity. There is an urgent need to offer basic AI education at an earlier level, even as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), through its AI-dedicated institution and AI programme in conjunction with the institution of Oxford, aims to produce top AI talent.
A strong argument exists for curriculum reform that introduces and involves students in the use of AI in a variety of subject areas. But to do this, there will need to be almost unheard-of collaboration between elementary, middle, and high schools. Establishing a sense of urgency is essential, given the generally slow rate at which most academic institutions implement changes to their curricula.
Financially strapped nations will need to rely on civil society organisations to assist bridge the gap while wealthier ones invest in workforce development. The young it serves in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have a clear need for introductory AI programmes, according to youth training non-profit Education for Employment (EFE). As a result, supply chain services providers Agility and EFE are funding AI training for young people who are unemployed and not in school, providing them with a competitive edge in the labour market.
Further action is required. With their extensive reach throughout the region, NGOs engaged in employment and education initiatives must help equip young people with the skills necessary to thrive in rapidly expanding fields where artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role.
Furthermore, the bulk of AI-related training programmes now offered are only available in English, according to EFE’s research. To ensure that marginalised communities can take advantage of these opportunities, a substantial investment in English language competency and an increase in the number of Arabic-language educational resources available will be required.
The commitment of the private sector is equally crucial. Crucial actions include developing a culture of practical learning, supporting competency-based hiring, designing curricula, and offering apprenticeships and internships. Public-private partnerships that emphasise skill development can help close the gap between education and the workforce (e.g., Germany’s dual education system and Egypt’s Applied Technology Schools model).
Though success depends on a coordinated effort and pledges from governments, educational institutions, civic society, and the commercial sector, the AI revolution shows potential for helping to address the long-standing challenge of youth unemployment in the MENA region.
By taking advantage of this chance, the area has the potential to close current gaps, develop a future workforce that is more diverse and resilient, and alter the course of many of its lower-income nations’ economies.