Non-governmental organisation · Council of Arab Economic Unity · League of Arab States
Arab Federation for Artificial Intelligence and Programming
A single Arab umbrella for coordinating work in artificial intelligence and programming across the member states, chaired by Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Hajri since March 2026.
22
Arab states under the federation
What the federation is
A non-governmental organisation working under the Council of Arab Economic Unity of the League of Arab States, representing 22 Arab states. Chaired by Dr Badr Al-Hajri since March 2026, it targets health, education, energy, government administration, the economy, industry, scientific research, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
The Council of Arab Economic Unity is one of the oldest instruments of joint Arab work and sits under the League of Arab States. Placing the federation under that umbrella makes its decisions an extension of an existing official Arab framework rather than a standalone initiative.
Sectors of work
Nine sectors the federation targets in its programmes and joint projects across the member states.
01
Health
02
Education
03
Energy
04
Government administration
05
Economy
06
Industry
07
Scientific research
08
Entrepreneurship
09
Digital transformation
The road to the chair
- 1
December 2025
Founding member of the Arab Federation for AI
One of the founding members at the federation's establishment.
- 2
February 2026
Federation Vice President
Vice president and head of the senior advisory bodies.
- 3
March 2026
President of the Arab Federation for AI and Programming
Elected at an extraordinary board meeting attended by representatives of the member states.
His view of artificial intelligence
Unifying Arab visions in artificial intelligence has become a strategic necessity to keep pace with global digital transformation
The rapid transformations the world is witnessing in artificial intelligence and technology demand strengthening a culture of innovation. Artificial intelligence is not merely a technical development; it opens new horizons for dialogue between cultures
Cultural identity is shaped by history and shared social experience, not by algorithms
What was written about the federation
Al-Arab
3 March 2026Elected President of the Arab Federation for AI and Programming
At an extraordinary board meeting attended by representatives of the member states, Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Hajri was confirmed as President of the Arab Federation for AI and Programming and unanimously granted the full powers set out in its statute, having previously served as vice president. The news led the front page of Al-Watan and was carried by Al-Arab, Al-Raya and Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, and in English by Gulf Times, The Peninsula and Qatar Tribune. In his first statements he set the priorities: an integrated strategic vision, training and research initiatives to qualify Arab talent, joint projects with Arab universities and research centres, and Arab legislative frameworks for the responsible and ethical use of AI, with healthcare, education and energy as priority sectors and Qatari digital infrastructure as a base for retaining Arab talent.
External link ↗Al-Raya
14 February 2026Appointed Vice President of the Arab Federation for AI and Programming
The Arab Federation for AI and Programming announced the appointment of Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Hajri as vice president, as part of its strategy to attract Qatari talent and strengthen its institutional presence in the Arab digital transformation agenda; Federation president Dr Jamal Ahmed Yaqoub Kamal called his joining a qualitative addition. Al-Raya and Gulf Times reported the appointment, and Al-Sharq and Al-Arab followed with interviews in which he said the moment imposes a doubled responsibility to unify Arab visions in step with global digital transformation, called for supporting research, investing in young talent and building modern regulatory environments, citing the Qatari experience, and stressed the prominent role of AI in developing creativity and innovation.
External link ↗GDN Online
28 March 2026GDN: Arab AI body to spearhead regional digital integration
A Gulf Daily News (Bahrain) report on the role of the Arab Federation for AI and Programming, under the presidency of Dr Badr Al-Hajri, in driving digital integration across Arab states. The report notes that the Federation has been designated the official regulatory reference for AI within the Council of Arab Economic Unity of the League of Arab States, and outlines its direction in unifying Arab efforts in the field.
External link ↗Al-Sharq
21 July 2026Al-Sharq interview: technology opens new horizons for dialogue between cultures
An extended interview with Al-Sharq in his capacity as President of the Arab Federation for AI and Programming. He argues that the rapid transformations in AI and technology demand a culture of innovation as a pillar of sustainable development, and that investing in knowledge is no longer optional. AI, he says, is not merely a technical development but a means of bringing peoples closer, building shared civilisational understanding and strengthening international cooperation. The piece also notes his inclusion on the CAP 2026 Icon of the Year list for his work in international investment, economic development and AI.
External link ↗
Who chairs it
Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Hajri, a Qatari businessman who chairs company boards in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, has led the federation since March 2026 after a founding membership and the vice presidency.
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