Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi inaugurates Sharjah International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Linguistics (SICAL) at AUS

Published by Sharjah Government Media Bureau

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, officially inaugurated the Sharjah International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Linguistics (SICAL) 2024 on Thursday at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus.

Upon His Highness’s arrival, he was received by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS; His Excellency Ahmed Fouad Henno, Minister of Culture of the Arab Republic of Egypt; His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council; Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of Protocol and Hospitality; and several other officials and diplomatic representatives.

In his keynote address, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah described the conference as a significant milestone, long anticipated by many. He highlighted the alignment of linguistic scientific research with computational and technological advancements, drawing attention to the importance of this field in the modern age.

Addressing the challenges and rapid developments in artificial intelligence, His Highness stated: “The world of artificial intelligence is vast and filled with limitless possibilities. We face numerous challenges daily, as scientific breakthroughs occur almost every hour, thanks to major advancements in artificial intelligence research. These scientific achievements have brought distant goals within reach, simplified the complex, and allowed us to benefit from modern inventions across the globe.”

He further remarked: “The explosion of information technology is not only material but also deeply connected to global languages. As science advances, so do the opportunities for communication, progress and prosperity for societies and nations.”

His Highness also highlighted Sharjah’s steps in supporting artificial intelligence in the service of language, stating: “We have opened our hearts, minds and institutions here in Sharjah, the city of knowledge and culture, to explore the relationship between artificial intelligence and languages. Since the train of knowledge and computing has already set off, we have decided to be among its first passengers. We extend our hands to assist you as much as we can in facilitating computational research in the Arabic language.”

He discussed the completion of the Historic Dictionary of the Arabic Language, elaborating on the efforts and challenges over the past years: “By the grace of God, we in Sharjah, along with a team of researchers from various linguistic academies across the Arab world, have recently completed the Historic Dictionary of the Arabic Language, comprising 127 volumes. This is a monumental achievement in the field of lexicography. It required significant effort, time and financial resources, but we have always believed that anything done in service of the Arabic language is both worthwhile and rewarding.”

His Highness concluded by discussing the role of artificial intelligence in lexicography: “We are now entering the field of lexicographical development through artificial intelligence. The entire Historic Dictionary we have completed will be made available for computational studies, allowing knowledge to spread and benefit societies across the world.”

In closing, His Highness advised students in linguistic studies to be diligent and committed to integrating science and computational development while adhering to ethical standards and values: “I urge all students and researchers in universities, including the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, to strive in bridging linguistic studies with computational research. I believe the future lies in computational sciences. I also encourage them to ensure that all their contributions to global online platforms are beneficial and driven by ethical standards, principles of peace and the values of our nation and culture.”

The inauguration ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a speech from Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. She welcomed attendees and emphasized that this gathering in Sharjah is the result of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi’s vision and tireless efforts to position Sharjah as a global leader in the preservation and development of the Arabic language, while enhancing its role in enriching global cultural diversity.

Sheikha Bodour highlighted key conference topics, noting the profound impact and challenges they bring: “Today, we are here to discuss an issue of utmost importance, not only for our present but also for the future of our generations—artificial intelligence, its uses and its deep impact on language and cultural identity. This rapidly evolving technology presents limitless opportunities, but it also brings challenges that we must address rationally and proactively.”

She further added: “As artificial intelligence technologies evolve rapidly, our responsibility to ensure that these innovations contribute to the enhancement of our linguistic and cultural identity also increases. We must ensure that these technologies become effective tools to protect our language and heritage, rather than instruments leading to the erosion of our identity or the loss of our cultural uniqueness.”

Sheikha Bodour emphasized that preserving language is a collective responsibility: “The responsibility of preserving the linguistic identity of societies, in the context of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence programs, does not rest solely on academics, government institutions, or technology experts. It is a shared responsibility that falls on every individual in society.”

She concluded her speech by congratulating and thanking His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for the achievement of completing the Historic Dictionary of the Arabic Language, noting that this 127-volume work marks a pivotal milestone in the journey to preserve the Arabic language. She emphasized that this monumental work not only documents the language but also underscores its importance as a bridge connecting our civilization, heritage and future.

She also referred to AUS' efforts in promoting the role of the Arabic language in the digital world: “At AUS, we have established the Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations, through which we aim to harness artificial intelligence in Arabic studies and vocabulary research, while also advancing linguistic intelligence studies. These initiatives and others reaffirm our collective commitment in Sharjah to preserving our language and identity, and enhancing their adaptability to artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies in the future.”

She concluded by expressing her hopes that the conference would generate practical solutions and ideas to achieve fair and balanced integration of all languages and cultures in artificial intelligence applications, avoiding any bias or marginalization. “We aspire to a future that serves everyone, and we look forward to seeing the discussions at this conference take significant steps towards guiding artificial intelligence to serve humanity and ensure a more just and balanced future for all.”

Following the speeches, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees watched a film that covered key conference topics and panel discussions aimed at utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance research and document languages around the world.

The conference, organized over two days in collaboration with the Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies – subsidiary of Emirates Science and Research Foundation, brings together a distinguished group of global experts, government officials, and industry leaders to explore ethical challenges, leadership, and innovative prospects in the fields of artificial intelligence, linguistics and culture.

The conference features more than 50 speakers, 1,000 participants, and over 20 workshops, aiming to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence technology through diverse perspectives from technology, academic, and government leaders. The conference seeks to foster collaboration in developing advanced artificial intelligence technologies that are ethically grounded and culturally sensitive.

The conference also highlights Sharjah's commitment to advancing responsible artificial intelligence in the Arab world and beyond, providing a unique platform for exchanging ideas, sharing research, and shaping a future where artificial intelligence technologies in linguistics are developed and applied with strong ethical foundations, visionary leadership and a drive for innovation that benefits society as a whole.