The Ministry of Communications and the United Nations Development Program support artificial intelligence
Ministry of Communications and UNDP support artificial intelligence
Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, witnessed the signing of a project document between the Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme, to enhance the use ofArtificial Intelligence, and this is by supporting the “Applied Innovation Center” – affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology – institutionally and technically; In order to help it achieve its technological goals capable of finding, analyzing and addressing innovative solutions to national challenges, in addition to developing human capital.
The document was signed by: Samer Saeed, Head of the Central Administration for Financial and Administrative Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the project manager, and Mr. Alessandro Fracasetti, representative of the United Nations Development Program in Egypt, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Tantawi – Supervisor of the Works of the Applied Innovation Center.
In the same context, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology explained the importance of this cooperation – as an international partnership between the Ministry of Communications and the United Nations Development Program – in adapting effective technologies – includingArtificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and computing capable of implementing applied research projects – to serve development fields and address the challenges of Egyptian society; At the same time, working to develop local expertise through youth participation in the “Applied Innovation Center” projects.
Hence, Dr. Amr Talaat pointed out that the center has been able, since its establishment in 2020, to establish important partnerships with major universities and research institutions. To implement projects that use the latest technologies, in several fields, such as: health, natural language processing, and agriculture.
According to the document, it is scheduled for cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the United Nations Development Program over a period of 5 years, with a desire to strengthen and develop the capabilities of the Applied Innovation Center, whether institutionally or technically. In order to become one of the leading entities in the field of information and communications technology research and development in Egypt and developing countries. Also desiring to support the Center’s efforts to take the necessary measures to become a sustainable institution, as these efforts help address national challenges, solve strategic problems, and enhance capabilities through practical training using information technology.
The project document also aims to support Egypt’s transition towards a digital economy, work to provide technological solutions that address the challenges ofsustainable development, and provide a suitable environment for the growth and development of emerging projects; This is done by training administrative and technical cadres, as well as supporting the “Applied Innovation Center” in implementingFinancial Sustainability projects, as well as developing technical and administrative processes.
For his part, Alessandro Fracasetti, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Egypt, said: “Digital transformation and innovation are two of the languages of the age. No country can achieve true sustainable development without digital transformation. We are proud of the partnership between the United Nations Development Program and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, as it is a strategic partnership to support Egyptian innovation. We have signed an important project; Because it helps – effectively – to create a positive environment that enhances Egypt’s transformation plans into a digital economy, and also supports its development goals.”
He added: “Digital transformation and innovation are two basic pillars of the global strategy of the United Nations Development Programme, in addition to their importance in our national program that we launched from this year until the next five years. Therefore, enhancing innovation and digital transformation – by supporting the Applied Innovation Center – comes at a very important time, as the world is turbulent with many variables, which require Egypt to enter this race, through continuous development.”
It is worth noting that Dr. Ahmed Tantawi, “supervisor of the work of the Applied Innovation Center,” stated that this agreement is a very important step in the process of the “Applied Innovation Center,” because it includes those mechanisms that open many cooperative doors with beneficiary entities in different countries around the world. In order to develop highly efficient solutions that suit the conditions of each country, which reduces effort and potential risks; As well as to add diverse experiences among the parties cooperating in development projects and joint digital initiatives.
Dr. Abeer Shaqwir, Assistant Resident Representative for Comprehensive Development and Innovation Programs atUnited Nations Development Program, pointed out that artificial intelligence is an important tool in increasing transformative impact, by helping countries unleash the power of innovation. For her part, she confirmed that all parties are happy to sign a new project with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In order to support the institutional, human and technical capabilities of the “Applied Innovation Center”, helping the Egyptian government to confront various challenges, through the latest technological means, as artificial intelligence provides new methods to raise production rates and develop work efficiency – gradually; It also helps to accelerate the pace of development using mechanisms that differ from traditional development models.
