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Cairo hosted the “Global South Modernization Forum 2026,” with the participation of several universities and academic and research institutions from Egypt, China, and countries across the Global South. The forum explored pathways for development and modernization while promoting dialogue and the exchange of expertise amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies and their expanding applications in development.

Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, emphasized the important role of universities and institutions in establishing clear frameworks for the use of artificial intelligence. He stressed the need for every institution to have guidelines defining the appropriate uses of AI, alongside the development of practical solutions for governing its use.

The forum addresses several issues related to the future of development, foremost among them the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and the challenges associated with it, as well as ways to strengthen academic cooperation and promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise among countries of the Global South.

Participants highlighted concerns surrounding both the positive and negative uses of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of efforts to establish governance frameworks for this technology considering its growing impact across various fields.

During the forum, Egypt was commended for hosting the event and for its role in amplifying the voice of the Global South. Participants also underscored the importance of artificial intelligence in shaping the future and stressed the need for African countries to move beyond merely using technology toward actively contributing to its creation and development.

The forum seeks to enhance the ability of Global South countries to benefit from the opportunities offered by modern technology and strengthen their participation in shaping their own future, thereby supporting development and innovation.

Cairo’s hosting of the forum plays an important role in strengthening dialogue among Chinese and Egyptian experts and their counterparts from across the Global South. It also provides a platform to explore ways of harnessing artificial intelligence and modern technologies and supporting innovation, contributing to more advanced and sustainable development pathways for the peoples of the Global South.