Dubai Media Academy Wins ”AI in Arab Media” Award at Cairo ICT 2026
Regional Recognition for an Innovative Vision
Dubai Media Academy, part of Dubai Media Incorporated, won the "AI in Arab Media" award at the inaugural edition of the Middle East and Africa AI Awards. The recognition took place during the Academy’s participation in the 30th edition of Cairo ICT 2026, held at Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo under the slogan "AI in Action – Transforming Intelligence into Impact."
H.E. Eng. Raafat Hendi, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt, presented the honorary shield to Mouna Bou Samra, Head of Dubai Media Academy, acknowledging her pioneering efforts and strategic vision in harnessing modern technologies to empower the media ecosystem.
The "عi" Initiative: Empowering Identity and the Arabic Language
This recognition comes as a result of launching the "عi" initiative, dedicated to building specialized AI tools that comprehend the Arabic language, respect its diverse dialects, and align with its cultural and social context. The initiative aims to unite media entities, technology companies, and researchers to develop intelligent, commercially viable solutions that bridge the data and content gap in the digital landscape.
Osama Kamal, Chairman of Cairo ICT, noted that the "عi" initiative serves as a practical model for the region's needs by preserving Arabic identity and fostering collaboration with regional developers.
Active Engagement and Specialized Discussions
On the sidelines of the conference, the Academy led a specialized track featuring three main sessions. Mouna Bou Samra was a keynote speaker in the session titled "Smart Media Economy: How AI is Rewriting the Rules," joined by prominent media leaders and experts. The session addressed transformations in content creation, modern business models, and the challenge of limited specialized Arabic data.
Bou Samra emphasized that the future of Arab media requires moving from technology consumption to active development, while praising the conference's successful organization and warm hospitality in Cairo.
