By Hamed Mahmoud
Amr Talaat, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Thales, a French leading company specialised in advanced technological solutions. The MoU is for co-operation in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) – powered applications in different areas, building capacity and promoting innovation and research in AI. The MoU was signed by the Advisor to the ICT Minister for AI Golestan Radwan, and Thales CEO in Egypt Sherif Barakat.
Pursuant to the MoU, several joint projects will be carried out to augment the AI industry in Egypt, within the framework of the National AI Strategy. The two sides will co-operate to develop AI-powered applications in different areas, including smart cities, transportation, digital government and smart infrastructure.
The two sides will also collaborate to foster innovation, build local capacity and promote entrepreneurship in AI through supporting startups and organising hackathons. This is in addition to conducting joint research on AI ethics, and working to establish a common stance for the two sides towards AI-related topics through organising public awareness campaigns and Programmes to educate people on topics related to the opportunities and risks posed by AI and data privacy.
The co-operation reflects the strategic partnership between Egypt and France in AI. The MoU is the sixth in a row of MoUs signed with French partners in 18 months, Talaat said, adding that he looks forward for more co-operation in that field.
For his part, the Egyptian Ambassador to France Alaa Youssef highlighted that there has been solid co-operation between Egypt and France in AI. Such co-operation was manifested in the last two years through signing several agreements of co-operation with French companies and organising the French Egyptian Startup Competition.
The French Ambassador to Egypt Stéphane Romatet commended Egypt’s efforts in attaining the National AI Strategy. He said that France attaches great importance to AI and looks forward to becoming Egypt’s strategic partner in implementing the latter’s vision and ambitious plans that aim to help Egypt become a leader in AI in the region.
Romatet praised Thales’ potentials and technologies. He said that he looks forward for more co-operation between the MCIT and Thales. The two sides will also co-operate in areas including capacity building, and Research and Development (R&D) in AI in Egypt.
Thales Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa and India Jean-Marc Budin said that the new co-operation with MCIT is the first step in a long journey of productive co-operation that supports AI development objectives.
Thales has further expanded its business in Egypt in several areas, including infrastructure security, railways and space, in addition to its long experience in AI, Machine Learning (ML) and capacity building, Budin added.
For his part, Thales CEO in Egypt underscored that the MoU with MCIT represents a significant milestone for Thales. The co-operation places AI as a business priority given its important role in providing smart and safe solutions and services in the field of smart cities. Future co-operation will focus on providing innovative solutions in land transport and digital government. Barakat added that Thales vows to provide the best technologies and means to carry out joint projects.
