His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended the launch of the Second Sharjah International Conference on the Arabic Language, titled “Artificial Intelligence in the Service of the Arabic Language: Creativity, Education, and Research,” on Wednesday morning, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah. The event was held at Al Razi Hall, Medical Colleges Complex, University of Sharjah (UOS).
Professor Dr Issam Al Din Ibrahim Ajami, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, delivered a speech presented as a poetic dialogue between himself and the Arabic language. In it, he expressed thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his generous patronage of science and education, and for establishing educational and specialised institutions that support the Arabic language. He also extended thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi for his continued support of the University of Sharjah.
Dr Mohammed Ahmed Al Qudah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Jordan, delivered a keynote address in which he discussed the importance of smart digital applications and artificial intelligence in supporting efforts to preserve the Arabic language and ensure its continuity in the age of the knowledge revolution. He also highlighted the rich Arab heritage in literature, science, and civilisation, and the role of these technologies in presenting and simplifying it for readers and learners.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees watched a visual presentation on the Sharjah International Award for the Best Artificial Intelligence Application in Service of the Arabic Language. The presentation outlined the award, its objectives, participation criteria and conditions, entry statistics and their analysis, and examples of distinguished applications that had participated in the award.
During the ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah launched the Smart Researcher Project within the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, produced and designed by the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah. His Highness and the attendees watched a visual presentation outlining how the application works, its benefits, and the unique features it offers to help all users obtain information.
Dr Maryam Saeed Balajeed, Head of the Conference Scientific Committees, delivered a speech highlighting the conference’s importance in supporting the Arabic language in the age of artificial intelligence and the responsibility placed on the University of Sharjah to advance the Arabic language.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah honored the winners of the Sharjah International Award for the Best Artificial Intelligence Application in Service of the Arabic Language. First place went to the “Arabic Grammar” project, second place to the “Al Anees” project, and third place to the “Nutq” project. His Highness also honored the conference’s sponsors and partners.