The UAE launches AI-powered initiatives to strengthen the Arabic language’s global reach across publishing, education, and cultural heritage.
ABU DHABI: The UAE is setting a global example in using artificial intelligence to promote the Arabic language and preserve its cultural heritage in the digital era. Multiple state-led initiatives are ensuring Arabic adapts to future demands while expanding its regional and international presence.
One landmark project is the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, completed in Sharjah last year. Documenting the language’s evolution, it has now inspired the AI-powered “GPT Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language,” offering over 20 million words and tools to write, read, and convert texts into videos. Developed in collaboration between the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah and the Emirates Scholar Research Centre, the platform continuously grows its database with new content.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation is advancing Arabic digital culture through its “Digital Knowledge Hub,” which now hosts more than 800,000 titles and 8.5 million items across specialised libraries.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre has introduced the first AI-powered Arabic–English dictionary, featuring 7,000 core modern terms, automated pronunciation, definitions, examples, and semantic classifications. The centre has also launched the Balanced Arabic Readability Corpus (BAREC) in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi and Zayed University, compiling 10 million words from diverse literary genres.
Events such as the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair are integrating AI through platforms like the “Digital Square,” designed to enhance the role of technology in publishing. Educational institutions across the UAE are also adopting AI tools to make Arabic language learning more dynamic and accessible.
