Governing AI with inclusion: An Egyptian model for the Global South

When artificial intelligence tools began spreading beyond technical circles and into the hands of everyday users, I saw a real opportunity to understand this profound transformation and harness AI’s potential to benefit Egypt as a state and its citizens. I also had questions: Is AI truly a national priority for Egypt? Do we need a legal framework to regulate it? Does it provide adequate protection for citizens? And is it safe enough for vulnerable groups like women and children?

These questions were not rhetorical. They were the drivers behind my decision to work on a legislative proposal for AI governance. My goal was to craft a national framework rooted in inclusion, dialogue, and development, one that does not simply follow global trends but actively shapes them to serve our society’s interests. The journey Egypt undertook can offer inspiration for other countries navigating the path toward fair and inclusive digital policies.

Egypt’s AI Development Journey

Over the past five years, Egypt has accelerated its commitment to AI as a pillar of its Egypt Vision 2030 for sustainable development. In May 2021, the government launched its first National AI Strategy, focusing on capacity building, integrating AI in the public sector, and fostering international collaboration. A National AI Council was established under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to oversee implementation. In January 2025, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi unveiled the second National AI Strategy (2025–2030), which is built around six pillars: governance, technology, data, infrastructure, ecosystem development, and capacity building.

Since then, the MCIT has launched several initiatives, including training 100,000 young people through the “Our Future is Digital” programme, partnering with UNESCO to assess AI readiness, and integrating AI into health, education, and infrastructure projects. Today, Egypt hosts AI research centres, university departments, and partnerships with global tech companies—positioning itself as a regional innovation hub.

AI-led education reform

AI is not reserved for startups and hospitals. In May 2025, President El-Sisi instructed the government to consider introducing AI as a compulsory subject in pre-university education. In April 2025, I formally submitted a parliamentary request and another to the Deputy Prime Minister, suggesting that the government include AI education as part of a broader vision to prepare future generations, as outlined in Egypt’s initial AI strategy. The political leadership’s support for this proposal highlighted the value of synergy between decision-makers and civil society. The Ministries of Education and Communications are now exploring how to integrate AI concepts, ethics, and basic programming into school curricula.

From dialogue to legislation: My journey in AI policymaking

As Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament, I believe AI policymaking should not be confined to closed-door discussions. It must include all voices. In shaping Egypt’s AI policy, we brought together:

• The private sector, from startups to multinationals, will contribute its views on regulations, data protection, and innovation.
• Civil society – to emphasise ethical AI, algorithmic justice, and protection of vulnerable groups.
• International organisations, such as the OECD, UNDP, and UNESCO, share global best practices and experiences.
• Academic institutions – I co-hosted policy dialogues with the American University in Cairo and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to discuss governance standards and capacity development.

From recommendations to action: The government listening session

To transform dialogue into real policy, I formally requested the MCIT to host a listening session focused solely on the private sector. Over 70 companies and experts attended, sharing their recommendations directly with government officials.

This marked a key turning point, transitioning the initiative from a parliamentary effort into a participatory, cross-sectoral collaboration.

Drafting the law: Objectives, transparency, and risk-based classification

Based on these consultations, participants developed a legislative proposal grounded in transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. The proposed law includes the following core objectives:

• Support education and scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence
• Provide specific protection for individuals and groups most vulnerable to the potential risks of AI technologies
• Govern AI systems in alignment with Egypt’s international commitments and national legal framework
• Enhance Egypt’s position as a regional and international hub for AI innovation, in partnership with development institutions
• Support and encourage private sector investment in the field of AI, especially for startups and small enterprises
• Promote Egypt’s transition to a digital economy powered by advanced technologies and AI

To operationalise these objectives, the bill includes:

• Clear definitions of AI systems
• Data protection measures aligned with Egypt’s 2020 Personal Data Protection Law
• Mandatory algorithmic fairness, transparency, and auditability
• Incentives for innovation, such as AI incubators and R&D centres

Establishment of ethics committees and training programmes for public sector staff

The draft law also introduces a risk-based classification framework, aligning it with global best practices, which categorises AI systems into three tiers:

1. Prohibited AI systems – These are banned outright due to unacceptable risks, including harm to safety, rights, or public order.

2. High-risk AI systems – These require prior approval, detailed documentation, transparency, and ongoing regulatory oversight. Common examples include AI used in healthcare, law enforcement, critical infrastructure, and education.

3. Limited-risk AI systems – These are permitted with minimal safeguards, such as user transparency, labelling of AI-generated content, and optional user consent. Examples include recommendation engines and chatbots.

This classification system ensures proportionality in regulation, protecting the public interest without stifling innovation.

Global recognition: The IPU applauds Egypt’s model

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), representing over 179 national parliaments, praised Egypt’s AI bill as a model for inclusive AI governance. It highlighted that involving all stakeholders builds public trust in digital policy and reinforces the legitimacy of technology laws.

Key lessons learned

• Inclusion builds trust – Multistakeholder participation leads to more practical and sustainable policies.
• Political will matters – President El-Sisi’s support elevated AI from a tech topic to a national priority.
• Laws evolve through experience – Our draft legislation is designed to be updated as the field develops.
• Education is the ultimate infrastructure – Bridging the future digital divide begins in the classroom.
• Ethics come first – From the outset, we established values that focus on fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination.

Challenges ahead

As the draft bill progresses into final legislation and implementation, several challenges lie ahead:

• Training regulators on AI fundamentals
• Equipping public institutions to adopt ethical AI
• Reducing the urban-rural digital divide
• Ensuring national sovereignty over data
• Enhancing Egypt’s global role as a policymaker—not just a policy recipient

Ensuring representation in AI policy

As a female legislator leading this effort, it was important for me to prioritise the representation of women, youth, and marginalised groups in technology policymaking. If AI is built on biased data, it reproduces those biases. That’s why the policymaking table must be round, diverse, and representative.

A vision for the region

I look forward to seeing Egypt:

• Advance regional AI policy partnerships across the Middle East and Africa
• Embedd AI ethics in all levels of education
• Invest in AI for the public good

Because AI should serve people—not control them.

Better laws for a better future

This journey taught me that governing AI requires courage to legislate before all the answers are known—and humility to listen to every voice. Egypt’s experience isn’t just about technology; it’s about building trust and shared ownership. And perhaps that’s the most important infrastructure of all.