The Egyptian Senate recently convened a plenary session to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Egypt. The joint committee discussed a comprehensive report on AI and its implications on youth, highlighting the inevitability of digital transformation and AI in the contemporary landscape. The report emphasized the optimization and accessibility improvements AI could bring to public services. Egypt aims to ensure its youth are ready for AI-driven job markets through comprehensive training programs [8498ebdb].
The report also addressed challenges in healthcare and regulatory governance, proposing strategies to mitigate risks associated with AI usage. Opportunities of AI in Egypt include stimulating economic growth, improving healthcare, and enhancing the educational sector. Challenges include job displacement, privacy and security concerns, and the need for regulations and ethical guidelines. Key questions addressed include how Egypt can prepare its workforce for the AI transformation and what measures can be taken to protect privacy in the age of AI. Controversies include the debate on AI decision-making in critical sectors and the ethical implications of AI. The report proposed fostering an environment conducive to AI evolution and establishing an international monitoring agency for AI [8498ebdb].
The discussion also highlighted the potential implications of AI for enhancing visitor experiences in tourism [8498ebdb].
In another development, the Sino-Russian Library Forum in Beijing focused on the integration of AI in library services. The General Manager of the Russian State Library predicted an increase in library documents and the need for more sophisticated categorization and organization, where AI technology can play a pivotal role. The Deputy Director of the National Library of China emphasized the importance of leveraging advanced technologies to expand informational resources and improve the user experience. The forum addressed the benefits and challenges of AI in libraries, including cataloging, search functions, virtual assistance, biases in AI algorithms, job displacement concerns, and the preservation of human judgment and personalized service. The event showcased the shared aspirations to employ AI in advancing library services and addressed technical and ethical considerations [4725e4e0].
Additionally, a special issue of Against the Grain, guest edited by Vesella Ensberg and Peter Brantley, focuses on AI and libraries. The issue includes various articles such as an interview with Gary Price, generative AI for scholarly information access, libraries and AI training collections, next-generation legal issues for training generative technologies, visualizing collection records with generative AI, and embracing serendipitous innovation in libraries. Gary Price, a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker, is featured in the interview. The special issue explores the intersection of AI and libraries, discussing topics related to AI applications, training collections, legal issues, and innovation in library services [f9335669] [8498ebdb] [4725e4e0].