Through the utilization of artificial intelligence, the UAE is significantly enhancing the global presence of “لغة الضاد” (the Arabic language). This initiative aims to integrate Arabic and its cultural treasures into the digital world, strengthening its regional and international stature as a language that can adapt to future demands. Various institutions across the UAE are adopting innovative initiatives to leverage AI and modern technologies in diverse fields, such as publishing, education, lexicography, and creative content.
Innovative Projects in Arabic Language Development
One of the most notable projects is the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, developed in Sharjah, the “capital of Arab culture.” This achievement represents a significant scientific contribution that documents the evolution of Arabic throughout the ages. Following the announcement of this dictionary, the “GPT Historical Dictionary of Arabic” project was launched, aimed at utilizing modern innovations to serve and promote the Arabic language worldwide. By connecting the dictionary with artificial intelligence, researchers and enthusiasts can access over 20 million Arabic words. Additionally, users can write, read, and convert texts into videos, with continuous updates provided through collaboration between the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah and the UAE Research and Studies Center.
Digital Knowledge Initiatives
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation is also playing a pivotal role in enhancing digital culture and knowledge both regionally and globally. One of its flagship initiatives is the “Digital Knowledge Center,” an Arab platform dedicated to producing, collecting, and organizing digital informational content within a comprehensive framework. Last year, the center exceeded 800,000 titles and offered 8.5 million digital materials across more than 18 specialized libraries covering various academic, intellectual, and scientific areas.
AI-Driven Language Tools
The Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, affiliated with the Department of Culture and Tourism, is executing several initiatives that employ artificial intelligence and modern technologies in publishing. Among these is the “Digital Dictionary of Meanings,” the first comprehensive Arabic-English dictionary that offers a new knowledge experience by harnessing AI and language computing. It encompasses over 7,000 entries covering a vast majority of contemporary vocabulary, providing users—especially non-Arabic speakers—with an accurate and straightforward understanding of words through advanced features such as automated pronunciation, simplified definitions, illustrative examples, and images. The dictionary also includes precise morphological and semantic classifications and is designed to be updated continuously, making it a learning tool that keeps pace with modernity.
Expanding the Arabic Literary Landscape
Moreover, the center has launched the “AI Audiobook Project,” which aims to convert written texts into high-quality audio content using machine learning technologies. In addition, the “Poetic Intelligence Lab” provides young poets, educators, and students with digital tools to refine poetic texts linguistically and metrically, while enhancing their structure and examining grammatical correctness and rhythm. In collaboration with a team from NYU Abu Dhabi and Zayed University, the center has also initiated the “Balanced Arabic Corpora for Reading Difficulty—Bariq,” designed to compile a linguistic corpus of 10 million words that encompasses a wide spectrum of literary genres and topics.
At the most recent Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the “Digital Square” initiative was launched, providing a technological space that amplifies the uses of artificial intelligence in publishing and literature. Many educational institutions have also made significant efforts to launch a variety of initiatives that promote the use of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in Arabic language education. Notably, Zayed University has introduced the “ZAI” digital platform, designed to enhance Arabic language teaching by providing innovative tools and resources to support educators, students, and researchers. Meanwhile, the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence has contributed to the launch of “JES,” the most advanced language model in the world for Arabic, empowering over 400 million Arabic speakers globally to benefit from the advantages of generative artificial intelligence.