We Need Arabic Language Models

Summary

Published online 24 August 2025 Building strong Arabic language models is a strategic step to ensure the Arab world’s active role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.Dr. Kareem Darwish, Consultant at Fanar team, Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University Dragos Condrea/ iStock / Getty Images Plus Enlarge image In the global race to develop generative AI models, attention tends to center on major companies and research institutes in the West and China. Flagship models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini, are trained on vast amounts of data, predominantly in English and other Western languages, and therefore tend to reflect the cultural assumptions and values of the context in which they were developed. The growing reliance on language models that do not necessarily reflect the richness and diversity of Arabic language poses a significant challenge. It’s not simply a matter of technical preference, but one that raises questions of cultural sovereignty, technological independence, and national identity. These widely used models such as ChatGPT have the potential to shape perceptions and ideas. When trained on data from different cultural contexts, these models can generate responses that sideline core Arab values or remain vague on critical issues. Clear examples emerge when global language models address culturally sensitive issues, such as social relationships or political debates. They often adopt ambiguous positions that overlook the Arab cultural context, creating a gap between these digital tools and the values and lived experiences of Arab users. The lack of robust and competitive Arabic language models forces researchers and developers across the region to rely on tools that fail to capture the linguistic complexity of Arabic, its dialects, or cultural contexts. This dependence constrains the ability to design AI applications and services tailored to local needs, while also weakens the Arab world’s contribution to gl...